Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Mullen.
Hi Sam, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
One night at dinner in 2015, a friend told me: “You need to officiate weddings!” I was intrigued. It was one of those ‘aha’ moments that changed the trajectory of my life.
Officiating wedding ceremonies wasn’t new to me, with a background in ministry. I often performed ceremonies within my church for over 20 years. However, I had never personalized them.
So, shortly after, I started with a handful of wedding ceremonies, personally and uniquely crafted from each couple’s love story. I quickly started to get referrals, and I created “Weddings by Sam” in 2016.
I have long been about storytelling. When I was “Pastor Sam”, it was about bringing relevance to the stories of Scripture. Then, as “Chaplain Sam”, I realized that the most important thing at the end of the day was each hospice patient’s legacy.
Each story mattered, long before ‘hospice’ became a reality. It wasn’t uncommon for me to share their stories at funerals, memorials, and celebrations of life gatherings.
These years of ministry have all pointed to where I’m at now. I incorporated “Weddings by Sam” in 2018 and I have married over 400 couples! I officiate all types of ceremonies, from Harry Potter to handfasting ceremonies. From backyard weddings to boutique hotels. I’m inclusive and I celebrate all beliefs, all couples, all walks of life. No exclusions.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I’ve made a lot of mistakes, and I’ve learned from experience what it takes for a ceremony to flow without glitches, from beginning to end.
I’ve also grown in thinking on my feet by responding to nearly everything that can happen during a ceremony!
Wedding arches have fallen, dogs have barked, groomsmen have imbibed, and glass has shattered. A bit of humor and being relaxed go a long way to lighten these kinds of moments!
Like so many, the pandemic created an obstacle for my business. Several couples had to postpone their weddings. The pace has ramped up, though, to say the least. I’m grateful to have couples inquiring daily. And it feels great to be back out there getting the “I do’s” done!
I’m so grateful that “Weddings by Sam” has grown organically. And that I’ve grown both personally and professionally in the process.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in performing fun, and relaxed wedding ceremonies. Family & friends have commented: “Wow! We thought we just had to ‘get through this part’ to get to the reception!” I’m also adamant about not throwing tradition out the window.
Romance always rules- but not canned cliches and flowery phrases! Ultimately, a wedding ceremony should be about feeling something you’ve never felt before- it’s about your soul.
Which is why it’s an honor to be a wedding officiant, and I know that I have a specific niche just as other officiants do. We can’t be all things to all people. And together, we make the wedding industry better.
What’s next?
I’m really excited about my recent rebranding: I’ve updated my website and marketing to better define both services and client experience. For couples, I’ve refined the planning process to make it as user-friendly as possible. (They are busy planning a wedding after all!)
What’s next:
-Education: Coaching others who are new to officiating about how to write and perform a ceremony that’s relaxed and fun!
-Consultation: Create ceremony scripts for weddings that I don’t officiate. It is quite plausible that couples may have “Uncle Bob who just got ordained online,” a friend, or officiant, but will want a modern, personal script. I’ll write their script, review their ceremony with them, and consult for their big day!
-Videos! I haven’t started a YouTube channel yet, but I’ve been compiling a list of topics of “tips & tricks” to make for an amazing ceremony.
Pricing:
- $385 – Custom, personalized ceremony that include a 1 hour “Wedding Workshop” planning session, unlimited script revisions, legal handling & registration of marriage license
- $525 – All the above plus my attendance at rehearsal to make sure everything is flawless!
- $195 – “Short & Simple”- Vows, Rings, and Just the legal stuff!
Contact Info:
- Email: weddingsbysamtoday@gmail.com
- Website: www.weddingsbysamofficiant.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samofficiant/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012270279136
