Perfect Union Officiants

Hi guys! My name is Jim Hill and I'm a wedding officiant based here on Long Island in Babylon Village (central LI). I've been marrying couples here and in NYC for almost 20 years. I love marrying people. I really do. It's a really special privilege to be the person who is leading a couple into very often the most significant day of their partnership. The right officiant can make all the difference for your ceremony. Like I always tell my couples, there are three of us up there and we already know two of us are great for each other. It's my job to be great for you guys and lead you off on your new journey in the best way that it can be done. That being said, I take my job very seriously and I have a lot of pride in my work. I think my best attribute is that I can do that and still be fun and lighthearted and calming. I know the world is run by reviews so please check mine out. I can assure you that in a world of fake reviews mine are all genuine. I won Best Officiant in Bethpage Federal's Best of LI 2022 and 2023 contests, and was awarded WeddingWire's Couples' Choice award for the last three years running.

 

I actually was asked by my brother and sister-in-law to marry them close to 20 years ago. I used to do stand up and they knew I wasn't afraid to be in front of a crowd so I was happy to do it. After I agreed, I remembered that I was the youngest of six kids in an Irish Catholic family and if I messed up I'd hear about it for the rest of my life!! I made sure I did a really good job and after the wedding was over my cousin said, "Me and my fiancé want you to marry us too!" I did their wedding and a couple who was in the bridal party asked me to do their wedding as well! That's when I knew I had something good. I ended up doing a lot of weddings over the next 15 years and I did it all by word of mouth. In 2019, I decided to create a website and join several referral services (WeddingWire, The Knot, Thumbtack, etc.). I've very quickly earned a wonderful reputation on a larger scale and that makes me very happy. What do I love about the wedding industry? I get to be a huge part of very often the most important day of a couple's life together. I'm the guy who makes it official! How cool is that?!?!

I have a ton of memories but I have one from recent months that really sticks out. I had met this awesome couple several times in preparation and they had expressed how they really wanted to have some significant aspects of their life to be integrated into their ceremony. They didn't know how they wanted it put in or where it should be put but they were sure that they wanted me to mention all these different and special moments and events during the ceremony. They said they trusted that I could do it and let me take it from there. I was able to weave those important aspects into the ceremony in several different spots and they fit perfectly. Both the bride and groom were so happy with the ceremony and they said it was perfect for them (she was crying with happiness). I really feel like I nailed it because they were so happy. That's the whole point of what I do in a ceremony... I'm here to bring the couple the ceremony they want and will be happy with. It's not about me, it's about the couple and what they want and that's what I do my best to deliver.

1. I help you build the ceremony you want: I specialize in helping couples find what they want and will ultimately be really happy with. I guide you through the process and will meet with you as many times as you like until it is exactly what you want. Very often couples HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY WANT AND THAT'S OKAY!! We will find a perfect balance and you'll be super happy because we will work together to create the ceremony you want. No worries, we will get there and it will be great.

2. I deliver a heartfelt and professional ceremony: I show up 45-60 minutes before the ceremony to make sure the couple knows I've arrived and settled in. I meet with all the vendors and venue staff to make sure we are all on the same page around the ceremony. I make sure everyone is calm and collected and knows what they are doing. I guide the entire ceremony and keep the focus on you, the love you have, and the beauty of the partnership you are entering.

I've been marrying people on Long Island and in NYC for close to 20 years. I started by marrying my brother and sister-in-law and it has grown from there. I plan on doing this for as long as I'm cool enough to do it, LOL. I named it after a phrase from the Preamble of the US Constitution ("We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union"). I thought it sounded like a great name for an officiant business and I still think it is.

Q: Are you religious/spiritual in the ceremony? Do we have to have that? 

A: NO! This is your ceremony and you get to have it the way you want it. If you want it to be super-spiritual and religious, we can do that and you can have it that way. If you want this ceremony to be atheist/agnostic and have zero mention of God or spirituality, we can do that and you can have it that way. If you want to mention God but not have it dominate the ceremony, we can do that and you can have it that way. I never bring any elements of myself or my personal opinions into your ceremony. That would be incredibly rude and disrespectful to you and that's not my style. This is your ceremony and your choice.

Q: Do you have someone who can perform the ceremony if you can't make it?

A: Yes. I have three people who I work with who can cover for me, one of them, is immediate family. Although I have these three people at my resource, I have never had to use emergency coverage. I show up to my weddings!

Q: Can you send me samples of your ceremonies?

A: I will send you copies of anything you like. I also encourage you to use whatever I send you and incorporate it into your ceremony even if you decide to go with someone else. That's my gift to you.

I'm really into personal development and transformational work. I'm a long-time member and coach of several men's groups. I'm a personal coach who works directly with both male and female clients. I'm facilitating a new men's group that will help men become better fathers. I coach engaged couples and newlyweds to help them problem solve and get in front of conflict so they can have the best relationship as soon as possible. I love this work and love helping others find the best in themselves. I have four awesome kids (yes, four!) all teenagers and above. They aren't a hobby but I love my children and they are a huge part of who I am. I love to cook and eat what I cook. I love being outside in nature and I live 15 minutes from the beach. I love sunrise meditation at the beach and I recommend everyone try it at least once. My wife and I like to go upstate and hike as often as we can. I'm also a big music fan and my tastes are all over the place. I love the stuff I love but I'm always looking for new music too!