Love and Life Ceremonies with Grace

02/10/2025

A Legacy of Love: Why I Became a Wedding Officiant

🤗Growing up, I was blessed with a beautiful example of love and partnership through my parents. Their unwavering commitment, deep respect, and genuine love for one another showed me what marriage should be.

👰🤵‍♂️Marriage is a journey of love, laughter, and support. Inspired by their example, I felt called to be part of the celebration of marriage, helping couples begin their own journey with a ceremony that reflects their unique love story.

🤗This passion led me to become a wedding officiant and ordained minister, crafting heartfelt, personalized ceremonies that honor the love, history, and dreams of every couple.

❤️Nothing brings me more joy than witnessing two souls come together in a meaningful and memorable way.

✨ If you’re looking for an officiant who will create a ceremony as special as your love, let’s connect! Your love story deserves to be told with heart and authenticity. 💍💖

📅 Now booking 2025 weddings! Contact us today to start planning your perfect ceremony.

02/01/2025

💍 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐁𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐉𝐨𝐲 & 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧! 💖

I am so incredibly excited for you! Whether you are wanting to some day get married or newly engaged, your wedding is one of the most 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞, and I am here to help make it truly special—𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐭.

As a 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 & 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭, I do more than just officiate your wedding—I help 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 your journey to heal, grow, and step into your marriage with 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭. I am not your ordinary officiant or ordained minister. I create a 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 with you, guiding you through your healing, helping you embrace the love and joy of this moment, and crafting a ceremony that reflects your unique love story.

LIfe is all about 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 within you and all around you. But sometimes, past experiences can create doubts when you should be embracing excitement and love. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫—𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲, 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞.

💫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐣𝐨𝐲. Whether through heartfelt ceremonies, emotional healing, or even making sure your 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐩 is part of the celebration with our 𝐃𝐨𝐠 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞, I am here to support you in creating the most magical experience—one where 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞.

𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐠𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭. 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞! ✨

💖𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬.
𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞!💖

12/08/2024

I had the incredible honor of officiating the wedding of Nathaniel and Elinna at the very place where he asked her to be his forever.

🤗It warms my heart and brings me so much joy to witness this pure love. There is truly no better feeling than witnessing such a deep and genuine connection.

❤️Nathaniel and Elinna, as you begin this beautiful journey together as husband and wife, may your days be filled with endless love, laughter, and happiness. May the foundation of your relationship, built on trust and devotion, grow even stronger with every passing year.

🙏Wishing you both a lifetime of cherished memories and a love that only deepens with time. Here's to your forever!🫶

12/08/2024

On this cold Saturday, William and Joan said “I do” in front of friends and family.

🤗 This spot holds a special place for this couple. It is the place they go to get away from the busyness of life to watch the ducks swim in the lake. Although it was cold, getting married here was very special for them.

Wishing William and Joan a lifetime of love and happiness! ❤️

Small and intimate weddings are meaningful and lovely. It marks the moment of commitment, love and unity.🫶💕

✨If you are you dreaming of a wedding that reflects your unique love story, let’s create a ceremony as meaningful and special as the two of you.

📱Contact us today to start planning your perfect day!

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from my home to yours🧡

🤗On this day of gratitude and togetherness, I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for being part of my journey.

✨Whether we’ve shared a beautiful wedding ceremony, a healing moment, or a simple connection through words, you’ve touched my life in ways I can’t fully express.

🍁Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the blessings in our lives, and I count you all among mine. Today, I hope your hearts are full of love, your homes are filled with laughter, and your souls feel a sense of peace and gratitude.

🧡May this holiday be a reminder of all the beauty and connection that life has to offer. I am grateful for you, and I send you love and light for a joyous Thanksgiving.

With heartfelt love,
Rev Maria

11/25/2024

Officiating every wedding ceremony brings my heart such joy! It is an honor to unify the love between two people.🤗

❤️Yesterday I received the greatest honor and is a day I will cherish forever!

🫶It was my beautiful daughter, Danielle's wedding day! 💖

💐Officially and formally, I am overjoyed to announce Danielle and Daisy as married, unifying their relationship in the most meaningful way.👩‍❤️‍👩

Danielle, my absolutely beautiful and incredible daughter, you make me so proud every day. Watching you grow into the person you are today has been the greatest honor, and seeing you marry the love of your life fills my heart beyond words. You both we meant to be together.🙏

🤗Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the deep love and connection between Danielle and Daisy. They have a bond that is full of surprises, adventures, laughter, and unwavering support for each other.

🙏I could not be happier for these two amazing souls!

😁I was given the greatest honor of officiating their wedding ceremony in a small, intimate setting at our favorite restaurant in town.
Thank you to Cordi's Italian Ristorante for hosting my daughter’s wedding. They did a fabulous job and the food was excellent!💫

✨The love shared in that room was truly magical, and I feel so blessed to have been part of their special day in such a meaningful way.💕

💐Daisy, welcome officially to our family! Gaining another daughter is a gift I will treasure forever.

🤗I love you both so much and wish you a lifetime of love, joy, and happiness. May your journey together be filled with endless laughter and beautiful memories!

With all my love,
Mom aka Rev Maria

11/21/2024

I’m sharing this with all of the brides to be.

11/17/2024

Doing the things I love to do fills my heart with so much joy. I have so many passions in life that I enjoy doing. When you think of all of them, the core root of what and who I am is a “giver” of my LOVE for others. Although, it may only seem that I do for others, when I give of myself, I am also receiving something in return. The smiles, the laughter, the witnessing of healing, love, joy and happiness.

❤️In the first photo, I was asked to officiate the wedding of two dear friends who came together as strangers, later to fall in love and start their life together as husband and wife. It is moments like these that bring such joy to my heart.

❤️Tonight as I think about all of the wedding ceremonies I have officiated, I am humbled and honored of these couples choosing me to unite them on their most memorable day of their lives!

I would love to know what are some of the things you like to do?

11/13/2024

Hello Brides and Grooms and congratualtions on your upcoming wedding day!!

From elopements to Grand Weddings, we cater to you and create the vision of your most perfect wedding day. Love is in the air and we are here to help make your ceremony most memorable.

Heartfelt Weddings by Rev. Maria & Rev. Mike Dear Couples, Are you planning your wedding or dreaming of renewing your vows here in New Jersey? It would be an honor for us to be a part of your...

11/05/2024

💐Congratulations on Your Engagement!

I’m Rev. Maria Festa and I take my time getting to know you so that I can create the perfect personalized ceremony that is filled with love and meaning which represents the relationship you share.

Love and Life Ceremonies with Grace is located in Brick, NJ and serves all of New Jersey and parts of Philadelphia. I have officiated over 150 ceremonies throughout the years and with each ceremony I bring warmth, understanding and meaning to the couple and their guests.

My passion is to help couples make their day extra special. Your wedding is one of life’s most meaningful moments, and it should reflect the loving bond you share.

Whether you are having 𝐚 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, a peaceful 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲, an intimate 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐲𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐆𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, or 𝐂𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲, your ceremony will be memorable for years to come.

Love and Life Ceremonies with Grace offers a variety of services to ensure every part of your day is filled with magic, comfort and joy. For those wanting a calm mind and spirit during a stressful time, I offer 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐤𝐢 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐰𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐣𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 the day of the ceremony to bring peace and tranquility just before the ceremony.

And because pets are family too, my team provides 𝐃𝐨𝐠 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 at your wedding so that a bride and groom can have their beloved dog at their side while walking down the isles and be part of the wedding day pictures. We insure that you will feel stress-free having your dog at your side as you celebrate your special day!

Feel free to DM me, email at 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞@𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦, or visit me at 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤.𝐜𝐨𝐦/𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 or visit, 𝐡𝐭𝐭𝐩𝐬://𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦/.

Let’s create your magical day together! Rates range from $250 to $600.

✨ Here’s to a day filled with love, joy, and unforgettable memories—for you and everyone who shares it, two and four legged alike!✨💕

10/25/2024

What a glorious celebration!

❤️Officiating Lineth and Ross's wedding on a picturesque fall day at Bridgewater Manor
filled my heart with immense joy, witnessing their profound love for each other and their family.

✨Congratulations to this inspiring couple! 💕🥂

10/19/2024

Thank you Crystal and Mark for your kind words.🙏

🤗It was such an honor to officiate your intimate wedding ceremony among your friends and family.

❤️May you both be blessed with a lifetime of love and happiness❤️