Rev. Ronnie - Interfaith Minister

05/19/2026

In some African tribes, there's a tradition very similar to the American Grand March. It's a processional of the families into the reception, with everyone dressed in cultural attire. A family member may pass out dollar bills for folks to shower on the happy couple as they walk by, to signify blessing the couple with great wealth and riches. I've had the pleasure of witnessing this, and it's so beautiful to see BOTH families joined together, dressed in cultural attire and blessing the couple. It is as it should be - a joining of the families and all they hold dear.

THIS is why I love what I do!

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05/11/2026

Ritual is such a sacred, intimate way to connect two people together! In this typically Jewish tradition, the bride circles her groom 7 times to create a sacred space and union in which they'll create their lives. In other faiths, a sacred circle can be created by a circle of flowers that the couple steps into.

This is part of what I love to help couples create! I draw upon my knowledge of multiple faiths and cultures to create a moment that's special and unique for each couple I work with, drawing upon what they believe and what they want their special day to say.

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05/06/2026

𝐅𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍.
Please allow me to express my feelings.

I recently learned of a couple that I married a short time ago that is getting divorced. The reasons for purposes of this post do not matter, and I probably do not know them all since we have not spoken privately.

What I 𝑐𝑎𝑛 say is that I offer every couple I marry, and even those I'm not going to officiate at their ceremony, a chance to prepare for all the 'what-if's' life may throw you so that you don't become a statistic.

Together we talk about where your personal boundaries are in the relationship, how you might address them if they are crossed, and then how to walk through the healing after damage has been done.

Statistically, according to the Gottman Institute, couples that do this work often find their relationship deepens and strengthens. They learn how to move forward with new skills, a new level of understanding, and a plan on how to deal with the imperfections that arose in their relationship. This is what I teach in my Intentional Relationship Design course!

Even if a couple chooses not to prepare before the ceremony, it's still possible to do the work later in the relationship. Didn't get to it then either and now there are challenges? Then contact me so that we can walk through the challenge together and get you on the other side. Some of you know that not only am I an interfaith minister, I'm a certified conflict resolution specialist, so I am fully qualified to mediate and help you walk through those difficult conversations and/or teach you how to do it yourself then or later in your relationship.

I'm no miracle worker, and if one of you is not willing to make the effort to repair the relationship, nothing we do together will change it. But if you come in with your heart open, are honest and transparent with your partner and yourself, wanting to give the relationship a chance, are willing to grow if needed, then you have a good chance. THIS is the secret your grandparents have known for years, which is why they've survived 50 years together. It wasn't that it was easy - it was that they gave each other room to be who they are, put effort into the relationship daily, and did the work when it got tough. THAT is the glimmer in their eye when you see them look at each other across the room. They walked through the fire and came out on the other side, hand in hand because they learned to live and grow together.

𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒. Second marriages fail at a higher rate than first marriages, and third marriages at an even higher rate than second marriages.

Marriage isn't easy. There are two im-perfect people trying to have a purrr-fect relationship because that's what Hollywood and Disney promise us. But storytellers, writers, and actors are not living your life - you are. Two imperfect people can definitely find happiness, if they strive for the perfect relationship 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 - one that allows both to flourish, grow, and love however that looks for THEM. All relationships must be H-O-T-T, my acronym for Honest, Open, Transparent and Trusting, not just when it's easy or convenient, but when the going gets tough too.

Many couples I've married have heard me say this. 𝐈 𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐈𝐓 𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐎𝐔𝐓. This is the work I do - my God-given mission.

Thanks for listening if you made it this far. And if you want that perfect relationship that works for the two of you, please reach out, no matter what stage you find yourself - engaged, newly married, new parents, empty nesters, etc. No matter if you're blissfully happy and just want to better your relationship, are going through some new changes, want to ensure you have the best chance at that 50th anniversary, or are up to your eyeballs in challenges.

Don't become another statistic with only a downward slide statistically after that.

Call now to connect with business.

05/04/2026

Looking for some creative ways to say I Love You? These blow me away.

04/29/2026

Milwaukee area couples! Any takers?

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14aB8g2DTTg/

Send a message to learn more

04/29/2026

Because the only thing that truly matters is LOVE.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18cKBszzGr/

04/25/2026

It truly is the simple things! Guys, this tells your lady you're proud of her, want to be seen with her, and although many ladies may not say it, it also tells us you're willing to protect her (a basic instinctual desire).

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18SJ88aWjt/

04/22/2026

04/21/2026

Love this! Because a kiss isn't always just a kiss. It can speak volumes to your partner.

01/12/2026

𝐀 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮.

Here in Wisconsin a couple has several choices regarding who marries them. Oftentimes, it's one of the lowest priorities on their list, and I've even received a call as close as a month out from a ceremony because a couple just hadn't gotten around to that decision. Yet it can be one of the most important. Here's why.

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭. As such, there are certain elements that need to be present, much like the purchase agreement you sign when you buy a new car. If those elements are not included, your marriage may be questioned down the road. Does the person creating your ceremony know what needs to be included to ensure you've entered into a legally binding contract with your sweetheart?

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭'𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫. Not all states honor online 'credentials' from places such as the Universal Life Church or American Ministries. Those states realize a person just enters their email and a pop-up landing page tells them they're 'ordained' and can now perform ceremonies, even though the person has no training. That means again that your marriage may not be held as legally valid if you move to one of the states that doesn't accept them. "So?" you may ask. This means that in the event you and your spouse divorce (50% do!), a keen attorney will ask the question about who married you to avoid a spouse having to pay alimony. It can also affect whether it's possible to inherit money, land, have immediate access to bank accounts in case of a spouse's death, etc., if the marriage isn't considered legally valid.

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. Your wedding officiant is responsible for more than just reading something up at the front and saying you're married to your friends and family. They are responsible for running your rehearsal, including instructing everyone on how to line up, where to go and when. They run your ceremony the day of, and ensure that everything comes off with just one hitch - yours! Then they are responsible for the legal paperwork: making sure it's completed properly, and filing it legally so you are formally married. It's also their responsibility to make sure the ceremony they perform is legally binding, but many have absolutely no training in this area at all if they haven't received formal training. Someone who has been ordained in an actual seminary has been professionally trained to do all of this. As a result your day will run smoothly, look professional, and be the wedding of your childhood dreams. They are also knowledgeable about how to navigate those emergencies that can sometimes happen on your special day, and fix the situation in a nano-second.

𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞! There's a reason why it's called a "Spiritual Journey." As you and your sweetheart go through the different stages of life, you may find yourself wanting to attend a church, temple, mosque or synagogue at some point. You may decide the type of community one finds through attending church is something you want in your life. Organizations such as these often ask about the spiritual credentials of the person having married you to determine whether additional steps will be required for you to be accepted into their congregation. Only someone having attended a brick-and-mortar seminary who has received the laying on of hands and seal of oil can spiritually bless your marriage. If your marriage wasn't spiritually blessed at the time you were married, they may require it before accepting you. One of the most common times for this to occur is when a couple has a child and decides they want to start attending church so their child can go to Sunday School.

There's more to share, and I've prepared a page on my website to help you make the best decision for you, depending on your short and long-term life plans. My page talks about the pros/cons of friends/family members, judges, attorneys, wedding professionals who have online credentials, and those who were physically ordained. Check it out here:

There can be a lot of confusion surrounding who can legally marry you, which type of wedding officiant will be recognized in different spiritual communities afterward, and what do the terms...