A Story of Us
Pricing
Prices start at $350
Packages
Prices start at $199
Keepsake Bundle — 15% Off Add-Ons
Book a Personalized or Signature ceremony and save 15% on any keepsake add-on: Program Notes for your guests, a Chapters hardcover love story, or live jazz guitar for cocktail hour. Now booking 2027
About A Story of Us
Mike
Most couples remember their wedding in pieces. The ceremony is the part people talk about at the reception. I’m Mike, an ordained minister since 2016, and every ceremony I write starts with your story — how you met, the moment it became real, the people who made you who you are. You fill out a short questionnaire, and I turn your exact words into a ceremony that’s warm, funny, and tender, with no generic filler and no “just kiss the bride.” From backyard elopements to 200-guest weddings on Long Beach Island, I serve couples across the Jersey Shore, Monmouth and Ocean counties, and beyond. Your guests will feel like they know you better by the time you say “I do.”
Your ceremony is written from scratch, in your own words. Every couple fills out a short questionnaire about how you met, the moment you knew, and the people who matter most. I build the ceremony from your answers, keeping your exact phrases instead of generic wedding language. Funny stories get laughs, and loved ones who’ve passed are honored with care. Even my simplest package tells your story — no “just kiss the bride” ceremonies. You’ll review a draft before the big day. What couples tell me most: guests are still talking about the ceremony at the reception.
In three words: Creative, Empathetic, Fun
Services
Ceremony types
- Civil Union
- Commitment Ceremony
- Elopement
- Interfaith Ceremony
- Legal License Signing
- Multicultural Weddings
- Non-religious Ceremony
- Religious
- Vow Renewal Ceremony
Religious affiliations
- Buddhist
- Catholic
- Christian
- Interfaith
- Jewish
- Secular
- Unitarian
A Story of Us packages
1. Simple Vow
Price$300
Description: A short, heartfelt ceremony for weekday weddings (Mon–Thu). Even at its simplest, your ceremony tells your story — never just “you may kiss the bride.” Included: 5-question story questionnaire · 6–8 minute custom ceremony · Draft to review before the wedding · Officiating and signing your marriage license
2. Elopement
Price$400
Description: For intimate weddings and small gatherings — backyards, beaches, just the two of you or a handful of loved ones. Personal, relaxed, and built around your story. Included: 6-question story questionnaire · 8–10 minute custom ceremony · Draft to review · Officiating and signing your marriage license
3. Personalized
Price$500
Description: Your full love story, told your way. How you met, the moment it became real, the proposal, and the people who made you who you are — with laughs and heart in all the right places. Included: 12-question story questionnaire · 12–14 minute custom ceremony · Honoring loved ones who’ve passed · Your choice of traditional or personal vows · Draft to review · Officiating and signing your marriage license
4. Signature
Price$650
Description: The complete Story of Us experience. A ceremony your guests will still be talking about at the reception, written from your exact words and woven with full-circle callbacks to your story. Included: 16-question in-depth questionnaire · 14–18 minute custom ceremony · Honoring loved ones · Traditional or personal vows · Pronunciation notes and polished delivery · Draft to review · Officiating and signing your marriage license
Reviews
Write a review5.0 out of 5
5 reviews
- NS
Nadia S.
Mike was a wonderful choice
Mike from A Story of Us was easy to work with and kept things on track during our short planning period. He's a natural storyteller and really brought our love story to life during the ceremony. Our guests stayed engaged the whole time, which meant a lot to us. Mike was responsive to our questions and understood what we wanted without making things complicated. He made our ceremony feel personal and genuine, not like something he'd done a hundred times before. We'd definitely recommend him to couples looking for an officiant who actually cares about telling your unique story.
Michael Madden•Oct 22, 2026Nadia, thank you so much! A short planning window can feel stressful, so I'm glad we kept everything simple and on track. Your love story made my job easy. I just had to tell it the way you two lived it. Thank you for trusting me with your day, and congratulations! — Mike
- PT
Pete T.
Awesome ceremony
Our officiant Mike totally nailed it. He wrote these personalized vows that told the whole story of how my fiancee and I met and it was so heartwarming. People were still talking about it days later. He really listened to everything we said and was cool with any changes or additions we wanted in the script. Nothing felt generic. I'd definitely recommend him to anyone looking for an officiant who actually pays attention and makes the whole thing feel personal.
- EC
Elizabeth C.
Perfectly written ceremony
Honestly, as an older couple doing this the second time around, we weren’t sure what to expect—but our officiant really got it right. Mike wrote personalized vows that told the story of how we met and fell in love again, and he made a point of including our kids as a big part of that story and the ceremony itself. It felt so natural and meaningful, not forced at all. Hearing our blended family woven in like that was incredibly heartwarming. People were still talking about the ceremony for days afterward—how personal and inclusive it felt. He really listened to what we wanted and was totally fine with any changes or additions we asked for in the script. Nothing felt cookie-cutter. We’d absolutely recommend him to any couple, especially those in a second marriage or blending families. He made the whole thing feel genuine and special. His assistant, Louise, also took care of all of the marriage license paperwork from obtaining all of the signatures from our witnesses at the ceremony to making sure the license got to the municipality in a timely fashion. Highly recommend Mike!
- NB
nathaly b.
The best officiant we could’ve gone with!
Mike was honestly the best decision we went with, not only did he officiate our wedding but he helped guide us through our journey and was a great help. We couldn’t be more grateful and thankful for him helping us! Thank you so much for making our ceremony emotional and filled with gratitude.
Michael Madden•Oct 22, 2026Nathaly, thank you! It was an honor to walk alongside you both, not just on the day but through the whole journey getting there. Gratitude was woven all through your story, so it's no surprise your ceremony was filled with it. Congratulations again, and thank you for trusting me with such a meaningful moment. — Mike
- RG
Rose G.
5 stars!
Mike went above and beyond to make our ceremony truly special. He wrote beautiful, personalized vows that beautifully told the story of how my fiancé and I met. Hearing our unique journey woven into the ceremony was incredibly heartwarming—it felt intimate, authentic, and perfectly “us.” Guests were visibly moved, and people were still talking about the ceremony for days afterward at the reception and beyond. It became one of the most memorable parts of our wedding. What stood out most was how carefully he listened to us. He took the time to understand our story and our preferences, and he was completely open and responsive to every addition or change we requested for the script. Nothing felt rushed or cookie-cutter; everything was thoughtfully tailored. I would wholeheartedly recommend him to any couple looking for an officiant who genuinely cares, listens, and creates a ceremony that feels personal and unforgettable. Thank you Mike for helping make our day so meaningful!
Michael Madden•Oct 22, 2026Rose, thank you so much! Telling the story of how you two met was a true joy. You gave me such wonderful material to work with. Knowing your guests were still talking about it long after the ceremony means the world to me. That's exactly what I hope for every couple. Wishing you both a lifetime of new chapters together. — Mike
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