Handfastings & Weddings
Love is the greatest magic of all
Handfastings, weddings and vow renewals are ceremonies of the highest expression of your love and commitment to each other; witnessed and blessed in the presence of your family, friends and community.
This sacred day is the celebration and proclamation of your sacred union. Therefore it should reflect who you are, inspired by your hearts, centered in your values and aligned with the vision of your day.
My role as your officiant is one of heart-centered service during which my focus is to uphold and sanctify your love and joining together of your lives.
Choosing your officiant is an important decision, and I take that role seriously, but I also understand that this is about truly listening to your vision for your big day, rather than just super-imposing a cookie-cutter, one size fits all ceremony.
To support you in that, I bring over 17 years of experience in officiating handfastings, weddings and commitment ceremonies to the unique crafting of your service, while creating and holding sacred space your actual ceremony.
Whether you are looking for a more traditional style ceremony or one that has all the components of a magick circle,
small or large,
simple or elaborate,
I work with your and your intended to ensure your ceremony is meaningful, a reflection of your union and blesses the threshold you will cross to embark on the rest of your lives together.
I welcome, support and embrace all unions, LGBQT+ and expressions of physical embodiment.
While I specialize in Pagan, Earth-Centered Spirituality and Witch-Based Ceremonies, I am also experienced in non-denominational, secular and traditional ones.
Please contact me to discuss your vision, details and date at awentree@yahoo.com
*Due to COVID 19, safety protocols and any current state mandated guidelines will be discussed at the time of booking.
Handfasting & Wedding Package Includes:
- Three, one hour consultation sessions by phone or video conferencing with you and your beloved to discuss your vision of your ceremony and to draft your customized ceremony ahead of your day.
- Direct assistance with crafting and writing your personalized ceremony or reviewing and editing the ceremony you already have chosen.
- Email communication & support for the drafting and editing of your ceremony and planning.
- Rehearsal (Up to a 3 hour block of time) ahead of your actual day of celebration (unless we have made other arrangements), together we set the date & time of your rehearsal.
- I arrive one hour (unless other arrangements have been mutually agreed upon) before the start time of your ceremony and stay until our mutually agreed upon ending time.
- Travel up to one hour, each way, from my home. Beyond that an additional travel fee will be added. If travel requires my need to stay overnight, additional food and lodging expenses fee will be assessed.
- Officiant Signing and filing the legal documentation for weddings in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Please be aware that couples are responsible for applying for and picking up their marriage license in advance and any fees that includes.
- A non-refundable $300.00 deposit is required to hold your date
- Optional: You may request a stylized Handfasting Certificate, with advance notice. This is not the same thing as a marriage license. This is particularly lovely for commitment and renewal ceremonies.
I am an Ordained Universal Life Church Minister and registered to officiate legal weddings and handfastings in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
NOTE: I am not booking ceremonies that take place in Salem, MA due to the complex logistics for parking, lodging and travel to the area especially in Autumn. Thank you for your understanding.
Winifred Costello (She/Her) is an ordained ULC (Universal Life Church) Minister and Initiated Priestess in Traditional Witchcraft. She is registered to officiate legal weddings and handfastings in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
She has over 17 years experience working with folks creating and officiating customized ceremonies. She specializes in Pagan Handfasting, small or large settings, simple or elaborate, and welcomes ALL couples, unions and spiritual traditions.
"Even after all this time, the sun never says to the Earth, 'You own me.' Look what happens with a love like that, it lights the whole sky."