Wedding Officiants
Reverend Gene L. Wilkins
Reverend Gene L. Wilkins is an ordained minister for over 42 years. His journey of faith has carried him into the denominations of the United Methodist and Presbyterian Churches, as well as non-denominational and inter-denominational faith communities.
He is also a retired United States Army Assistant Chaplain. His experience with weddings of various denominations as well as non-denominational weddings has prepared him to officiate at marriage ceremonies, with enthusiasm, reverence and joy.
For over six years he has performed weddings for East Coast Yacht Cruises.
Captain Ray Freer
Captain Raymond J. Freer (Capt. Ray) is a USCG Certified 100 Ton Master Captain.
Capt. Ray will be dressed in his Nautical Uniform and your wedding vows and wedding ceremony embrace a maritime tradition and have been lovingly written to reflect the history and tradition as a ceremony at sea. Capt. Ray spends time with each couple and will encourage personalization of the ceremony and/or the couples own vows.
Capt. Ray has been married 38 yrs and the proud father of 2 grown married daughters as well as 2 grandchildren. Capt Ray spends some of his "off time" flying aircraft. Capt. Ray has spent a lifetime helping people, as a retired police officer and spending much of his time on the NY waterways as head Captain of the Motor Yacht Romantica. In the captain's own words "What better way for a Nautical Wedding than to be Married by The Captain of the Ship".
Captain T. Patrick Harris
Captain T. Patrick Harris (Capt. Pat) grew up in Long Island near the sea. Upon graduation from college Capt. Pat took a position on a Tall Ship and circumnavigated the globe. His travels took him to every part of the globe.
In 1995 Capt Pat. became an ordained minister in order to fulfill the wish of so many to be wed on the waters of New York Harbor. Captain Pat is licensed to perform marriages in New York, and the New Jersey waterways.
Capt. Pat will be dressed in his Nautical Uniform and your wedding vows and wedding ceremony embrace a maritime tradition and have been lovingly written to reflect the history and tradition as a ceremony at sea. Capt. Pat spends time with each couple and will encourage personalization of the ceremony and/or the couples own vows.
Reverend Jim Covais
A Non-dominational Minister, performing wedding ceremonies on site, in the Christian, Interfaith, Civil and Spiritual Ceremonies.
Interfaith Wedding Ceremonies.
An interfaith wedding ceremony is something that I do consistently. Understanding that interfaith weddings can be a very sensitive event and that two different people with two different religions are coming together. and also understanding that there are two different sets of families with differing opinions.
Non-Religious Wedding Ceremonies.
Most requests are for a non-religious wedding vow. I understand and respect your wishes. As a non-denominational wedding officiant I honor what you want said during your wedding ceremony format. It's your wedding day, after all, and it should be the way that fits you and your mate's beliefs and lifestyle.
Religious and Spiritual Wedding Ceremonies.
Although I am a non-denominational minister, I can officiate at any wedding ceremony with a wedding vow that reflects your spiritual feelings or your religious beliefs but you don't want to be married in a church.
Civil Wedding Ceremonies.
What is a civil wedding ceremony? Well, it's one that has no religious references, no prayers, no mention of any god in the wedding vows, and no dogma. No problem. I can do it for you.
Many times I am asked to perform a civil wedding ceremony for a couple who are planning to get married later on in front of family but need the formality and legality of a civil wedding.
Getting Married Aboard Ship
The following information has been prepared exclusively for East Coast Yacht Cruises by Captain Patrick Harris. It summarizes all information necessary for couples wishing to be married aboard a vessel in the United States.
A legal wedding ceremony may be performed aboard any vessel in United States waters. The wedding may be officiated by the captain of the vessel, providing he/she is also a member of the clergy (Priest, Rabbi, Reverend or Minister) or a Justice of the Peace. This person is known as the officiant.
Just like a ceremony on land, the couple wishing to be married must first obtain a marriage license in advance of the wedding date. This license may be obtained from your local City Hall. Both the future bride and groom must go together to obtain the license. Licenses are usually issued immediately and are valid for 30 to 60 days, depending on your local government policy.
Bring your wedding license with you on the day of the wedding. On the day of the wedding, the place, date and time, and witness information is completed and signed by the officiant.
Most municipalities require two witnesses, who sign the license in the presence of the officiant.
The completed wedding certificate is then filed with the Registrar of Vital Statistics for the municipality in which the wedding was conducted.
An official copy of this document is sometimes required for insurance, motor vehicle registrations, or other related purposes. It may be obtained from the issuing City Hall after they receive the original license.
The Traditional Sea Wedding Service
This service, as officiated by Captain Harris,dressed in his Nautical Uniform can be broken down into five parts: 1) the preamble, which summarizes the service to the guests, 2) the introduction of the bride and groom; 3) the "lesson" of what makes a marriage successful, 4) exchange of vows and rings; 5) the re-introduction of the bride and groom as husband and wife. While Captain Harris, who is also an ordained minister, this service is non-denominational and embraces a maritime tradition and hasbeen lovingly written to reflect the history and tradition as a ceremony at sea.
The essence of the service is a metaphor, which parallels the relationship and duties of a sailor to his ship, with that of a husband and wife to each other. Excluding the wedding party processional, the service takes approximately 20 minutes.
