Officiant - Kimberly Cope
- Business: The Sacred Adventure
- Location: Morgan Hill, California CA
- Experience: 7 Years
- Profile: The Sacred Adventure
- Website: www.thesacredadventure.org
1. Introduction: What's your story?
Hi, I’m Rev. Kimberly Cope, South Bay Area, CA officiant, minister, and counselor with The Sacred Adventure. It was at the age of ten that my true calling and eventual vocation was revealed to me. While other kids were dreaming of becoming lawyers and astronauts, I was paying attention to the world around me and writing about it through prose and poetry.
Soon, adults and children alike were seeking me out to share their hopes, dreams, stories, and challenges. Because I endeavored to attend to those with whom I came in contact with both an interested and empathetic ear, it came very naturally for me to serve as the trusted space in which others felt seen, heard, and acknowledged. Officiating life's most precious moments (weddings, elopements, baby blessings, and celebrations of life) is just one way that I love to connect with people from all walks of life. Premarital counseling is another way that I love to help individuals and couples connect deeply with themselves and others.
My work is based on the philosophy that when our goals and actions are tied to uniquely personal values and beliefs with which we identify, greater levels of happiness and fulfillment are achieved. As a minister, writer, trainer, inspirational speaker and coach, my passion is to help others achieve a life so authentic, awesome, and amazing that they have to pinch themselves when they wake up in the morning!
I currently serve as an multifaith 'minister without walls' trained and ordained through One Spirit Learning Alliance.
I received my education through the Coaches Training Institute located in San Rafael, CA, and am a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF), and Spiritual Directors International (SDI). I'm certified in Communication: Human Relations through De Anza College in Cupertino, CA. My Premarital and Marital Counseling certification was earned through Prepare-Enrich (one of the world's leading scientifically-proven relationship inventory and skill-building programs). I am also a certified PRINT coach and Infinite Possibilities Trailblazer.
On a personal note: I reside in beautiful Morgan Hill, CA. I celebrate life by sharing time with my two grown sons, as well as hiking, dancing, cooking, and writing. I serve as Ambassador for the Women's Networking Alliance Chapter #130 and am a past member of the Board of Trustees for Conscious Living Center in Mountain View, CA. I serve as a spiritual counselor to those in need of compassionate care. My poetry and haiku have been published in Creative Thought Magazine and included in Sacred Heart Community Services donor collateral.
2. What's your experience as a wedding officiant? How many weddings have your officiated?
Prior to becoming an ordained minister, I would officiate weddings for family and friends on a very infrequent basis. It was usually my wedding gift to the special couple on a very momentous occasion. Honestly, that's as far as I ever thought it would go.
But, in 2014, in the midst of attending classes to become a spiritual and relationship counselor, a friend of mine suggested I follow the education path through to become an ordained minister. Truth be known, that thought had never occurred to me. After months of exploring various academic seminary programs, I found the place to nurture my mind and soul in a way that was authentic to my nature. And, two years later (in 2016) I was ordained as a multi-faith minister.
Even before my ordination, couples were reaching out to me to ask me to marry them. Some wouldn't take no for an answer. I found the experience to be so deeply enriching and filled with joy, that I knew I had almost stumbled into my career and passion. Every couple, every experience is an adventure and an opportunity to make a difference in peoples' lives at a very pivotal time.
Since then, I've had the great privilege of working with more than 500 couples to create personal, authentic, and joy-filled events that reflect their personalities, beliefs, and desires.
3. How far in advance do couples need to secure your services?
My preference is for couples to book at least two months in advance so we have a chance to really get to know each other and create an experience that will be authentic, heartfelt, and comfortable for all parties involved.
That being said, I've been known to chat with a couple at 8:00 PM one evening and be standing with them at 10:00 AM the next morning to elope them before moving across the country together.
4. How would you describe your officiant style?
I would say that most people would describe my officiant "style" as warm, friendly, grounding, professional, and joyful. I love to get to know my couples so that when we're standing together on one of the most important days of their lives, they feel as though they are in the presence of a friend.
Because of my multi-faith focus, I conduct non-religious ceremonies, civil ceremonies, spiritual, same sex and faith-based ceremonies throughout the South Bay Area. I welcome and truly love to work with all kinds of couples!
Whether it's an intimate elopement or a large traditional wedding ceremony with many elements, I enjoy creating the kind of ceremony that will bring the couple's wedding day visions to life. I also enjoy customizing their special day with beautiful additions such as a Unity candle lighting, a sand ceremony, wishing stones, handfasting, a flower exchange, the blending of wines or whiskey, and more.
One of the greatest compliments I can receive is when family members and friends walk up to me after the ceremony and tell me how much they loved the ceremony and how well it reflect the personalities of the couple.
5. What are your fees for officiating a wedding?
My fees range from $250 - $600 depending upon the day of the week, distance, and complexity of the ceremony.
Most folks fall into the $400 range for a local, customized, weekend wedding.
6. What do you wear when you officiate a wedding?
Since my goal is to facilitate a beautiful celebration with a customized flair, I consult with my clients on what they'd like me to wear.
I tell them I typically wear a black "base" (skirt or pants) and then can also wear black on top for a more "ministerial" look, or I'm also happy to coordinate with their wedding colors for a softer more integrated presentation. And the end of the day, it's really up to them.
My main goal is to show up looking professional, appropriate for the event, and comfortable enough to do my joy well.
7. How many pre-wedding sessions will the couple need to have with you?
I offer a one-hour consult free of charge to get to know the couple and discuss their visions for their wedding day, and specifically their ceremony.
Most often, communication thereafter is handled via email or text. Sometimes my clients request an additional chat just to iron out last-minute details or to ease their nerves, but those are few and far between.
8. Will you be able to create a personalized ceremony?
The majority of my ceremonies are customized. I do this for the couple to create an authentic and personalized experience and also for myself so I'm not delivering rote verbiage that sounds like an atomoton.
I have done a small number of completely non-customized ceremonies for couples just wanting a quick "let's make this legal" type of experience. It's not my favorite thing to do, but at the end of the day, it's their wedding.
9. Are you available to travel if needed?
While the South Bay Area is home and most of my events take place here, I am available to travel. I've done a few "destination" weddings (Vegas, Hawaii, Ireland) and they were fun too.
10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?
Like most wedding/event service providers, I work with a non-refundable deposit (50%) which ensures my clients that they have "locked me in" for their wedding ceremony. I do this mostly because, unlike others in my niche, I do not stack weddings on the same day. I will take only two maximum events on one day, while others will stack up to 6 or 8.
If something happens and we need to re-schedule, change locations, etc., my clients know that integrity is front and center in my life, so I invite a conversation to see how we can make it a positive thing for everyone.
Gallery
Awards
