Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharnise Sears.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my journey as a wedding officiant when a friend of my husband’s asked him to officiate their wedding back in 2017. My husband wasn’t sure how to apply for a minister’s license, so as a loving and supportive wife, I figured out the details and walked through the process online just to see if it worked — and it did! I posted my certificate on Facebook, and a friend from high school reached out and asked me to officiate her wedding ceremony. That itself is a funny story because she and her ‘husband’ had already eloped in Vegas and were too scared to tell their parents the deed was done. So, I officiated their ‘wedding’ and we didn’t tell a soul they were already married until way after the ceremony. From that first wedding ceremony, I officiated 48 within that same year, just from word of mouth, advertising, and posting on social media. I was exhausted after that first wedding season, to say the least, and I decided weddings were way too magical to be a side hustle. I reflected on the types of weddings I officiated and evaluated the results of the weddings (reviews, photos, etc.) and my feelings about my interactions. I realized I would leave wedding ceremonies feeling disconnected. I wanted to know how my couples were transitioning and navigating their new lives. I missed them! So, I decided to do further research on what couples truly need from their wedding officiant. I found that most couples need a friend, a ‘wedding bestie,’ if you will. Someone who will walk with them on their engagement and wedding journey and also through their marriage. That is how I stumbled upon the idea of becoming a premarital coach. Most couples searching for a wedding officiant are unchurched, non-religious, or they may have a church, but their pastor or priest may not officiate outside the church. Either way, seeing that the engagement journey is a spiritual one, whether you’re religious or not, some couples require an unbiased friend who can walk them through all aspects of the journey. I utilized my degree in biblical studies to obtain a premarital coaching certification and then a marriage coaching certification. Understanding the nuances of the marriage journey has been a game-changer for me as well as for my couples. Since 2017, I have officiated over 400 wedding ceremonies and coached countless couples all over the world. It has been an amazing journey, and the end is nowhere in sight.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey began smoothly, yet I soon discovered that society was still warming up to the idea that weddings could beautifully unfold beyond the traditional confines of courthouses or churches and needn’t always be presided over by judges or priests. The essence of weddings, since time immemorial, has been celebration—a stark contrast to the solemnity many associate with the ceremony itself, reserving joy exclusively for the reception.
Through my research on weddings across different cultures, I’ve embraced that laughter, tears, reflection, and, occasionally, tradition are the ingredients of a truly memorable celebration. Yet, guiding others to this realization has sometimes been a complex endeavor. Not all couples are looking for a departure from the established liturgy, and guests, too, often arrive with set expectations of the ceremony’s structure.
In my role, I create ceremonies that are as unique as the couples themselves, meticulously tailoring every aspect of the script to their stories, traditions, and cultural or spiritual beliefs. This personalized approach underlines the singularity of their bond. However, introducing the concept of a custom ceremony can be challenging when their only touchstone is the conventional.
But it’s these challenges that make each success so fulfilling, reinforcing my belief that the entire wedding experience—from the first vow to the last dance—should be a joyous celebration.”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In my dual role as a wedding officiant and premarital coach, I specialize in creating personalized ceremonies and providing comprehensive coaching that guides couples through their engagement, wedding planning, and well into their marriage. Known for my custom-tailored approach, I craft each wedding ceremony with care, ensuring it reflects the unique bond and love story of the couple, incorporating their cultural, spiritual, and personal elements into a cohesive and exciting celebration.
What I take the most pride in is not just the personalized ceremonies, but the depth and breadth of my premarital coaching. It’s my belief that the foundation of a strong marriage is built long before a couple says, ‘I do.’ That’s why I dive deep into discussions that many shy away from—addressing key issues such as upbringing, family backgrounds, conflict management, communication styles, as well as physical and mental health. We tackle financial planning and align expectations for future endeavors, including the possibility of parenting, to ensure a realistic and shared vision of life together.
This approach to the trials and triumphs of married life sets me apart. I don’t just officiate weddings—I prepare couples for marriage. By equipping them with the tools to navigate the complexities of their union, I help couples map out a realistic foundation for their shared future. My background in biblical studies, combined with a contemporary understanding of relationship dynamics, allows me to cater to a wide array of couples, offering guidance that’s both spiritually insightful and pragmatically sound. In an industry where one size is often expected to fit all, I stand out by offering a service that’s as varied and unique as the couples I have the privilege to work with. The ceremonies may last a day, but the impact of a well-prepared marital journey can last a lifetime.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Looking ahead at the landscape of love and matrimony, I predict an evolution in how couples approach their union. The emphasis will be on thoughtful, deliberate journeys toward the altar. We learned something during those pandemic years: love isn’t just a spontaneous leap but a deliberate stride.
Engagements will stretch out a bit more as couples take time to understand and savor their commitment. This paves the way for a boom in premarital and marriage coaching, a service that’s poised to become as essential as the venue or the photographer. People are realizing that a strong foundation is key, not just for the wedding day, but for the decades that follow.
And the weddings themselves? They’re set to be reimagined. I see them becoming more exuberant, borrowing a page from global traditions where the ceremony isn’t a prelude but part of the main event. I anticipate American weddings to embrace this spirit of celebration more fully, ensuring the ‘I dos’ are as much jubilation as the party that follows.
So, in the next 5-10 years, expect the wedding industry to not just walk down the aisle but to do so with a renewed sense of purpose and celebration, reflecting the unique personalities and stories of each couple.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ministersharnisesears.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/minister_sharnise_sears
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MinisterSharniseSears/
Image Credits
Making The Moment
