Kathy Vass, CT Wedding Officiant

08/30/2026

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱! Yes, I write and officiate custom weddings, but I guess I can also plan 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀 that lead my newly 15 year old daughter and her 10 friends throughout our neighborhood! 🎉🎂🥳🗺️⁣
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Actually, all the credit goes to my wonderful, smart and patient husband: GAME MASTER Matt. We brainstormed for 2 weeks on this plan and I dusted off the old graphic design skills to execute the vision. ⁣
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𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗬: Someone has stolen Elivia’s birthday cake! 🎂⁣
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Follow the clues throughout the neighborhood to disocver the thief and the location of the cake! The trail lead the detectives around Lordship School, to the Lordship Corner Market — where they got a clue through the ice cream window and each a cup of ice cream for their efforts! ⁣
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Next it was down to Little Pub and The Surfside Hotel, where they were greeted with a sign and provided another clue. ⁣
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Then around the corner to the seawall, up the street to a Little Free Library and back to the market to find their last clue on our community bulletin board. ⁣
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Once back at the house, there was a little more work to do to solve the puzzle but the reward at the end of the line was worth it! 🍰⁣
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This experience reminded me and my husband about the generosity of neighbors and businesses. 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗳𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹 were more than happy to help us out with this project. We were so blown away at their immediate excitement to be a part of this unique celebration. As Matt pointed afterward, “𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘢 ‘𝘺𝘦𝘴’, 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘢𝘴𝘬!” and we’re so glad we did. THANK YOU —THANK YOU — THANK YOU!!! This is a birthday to remember!⁣
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Birthday Girl:⁣ ‘ 𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙖 𑣲
The Surfside Hotel:⁣ The Surfside Hotel
Lordship Corner Market:⁣ Lordship Corner Market
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08/17/2026

𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝟮𝟳𝘁𝗵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲: 𝗔𝗹𝘆𝘀𝘀𝗮 & 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗺 got married at Shepherd’s Run in Rhode Island. Unfortunately, we had to pivot our outdoor garden ceremony plan to be inside the ballroom due to showers ☔️ but Alyssa and Adam were just happy to spend this moment with their loved ones no matter where it happened. Their heartfelt personal vows, read in both their first look and the ceremony, hit all the feels! The previous day, the did the Greek crowning ceremony in church and display the lovely crowns in our ceremony space. I loved working with them and learning their story! ❤️🥂 best wishes to the newlyweds! ⁣
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Newlyweds: Adam Carafotes⁣
Venue: Shepherd's Run⁣
Catering: Blackstone Caterers⁣
Planning/Coordination: Casey & Co. Events • Rhode Island Wedding Planner⁣
Officiant: Kathy Vass, Connecticut Wedding Officiant⁣
Photography: Frame + Anchor⁣
Videography: Frame + Anchor⁣
DJ: Kenneth Ferrara | Premier Wedding Entertainment⁣
Ceremony Music: Golden Scroll Soloists⁣
Flowers: ⁣
Decor/Rentals: Peak Event Services Exquisite Events Light & Decor⁣
Dessert/Cake: Isis Brighton⁣
Hair: Caitlin Mae Beauty 🤍⁣
Makeup: Caitlin Mae Beauty 🤍⁣
Stationary / Calligraphy / Signage: Jessica Creter⁣
Dresses: Milla Nova Warsaw⁣
Suits: The Black Tux⁣
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08/17/2026

𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝟱𝗧𝗛, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲: 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲 & 𝗝𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗺𝘆 who married on this beautiful, sunny early June day with their family and friends present and along their awesome, humongous dog, Tucker. One of my favorite elements of their days, aside from the choice of venue, was the color palette for the bridesmaids, a lovely array pastels that coordinated so well together. Every detail followed suit - picture perfect! ⁣
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Newlyweds: ⁣
Venue: Smith Farm Gardens⁣
Planning/Coordination: Effortless Events⁣
Catering: Bourassa Catering & Events⁣
Officiant: Kathy Vass, Connecticut Wedding Officiant⁣
Photography: Once Like a Spark Wedding Co.⁣
Videography: Once Like a Spark Wedding Co.⁣
DJ: JOCK IN THE BOX ENTERTAINMENT | CT WEDDING DJ⁣
Flowers: The Harwinton Florist LLC⁣
Dessert/Cake: Blue Chip Creamery⁣
Hair | Makeup: Salon Le Rae⁣
Dresses: Everthine Bride⁣
Jewelry: Lenox Jewelers | Rolex & Fine Jewelry Fairfield⁣
Suits: Jos. A. Bank⁣
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07/03/2026

Can’t think of a better way to celebrate then to share this beautiful thing right in my own town of Stratford. love_is_love_2224 has painted a rainbow crosswalk in the street that connects the two buildings at Stratford High School. I hope it helps all the students feel more supported, seen and comfortable being who they are. And I hope our residents, not just in Stratford, but in CT and beyond allow their hearts to open a little more, think outside themselves and realize that when people are struggling - all you need is love. 🌈

06/01/2026

Reaching out to all my former clients and /or friends who are LMFTs or Marriage Counselors. I'm looking to provide a referral to an upcoming wedding couple that want to do pre-martial counseling sessions before the big day. Please drop your contact info to pass on!

Send a message to learn more

05/29/2026

The month of May kicked off with Simone and Kevin’s wedding at Stonehurst at Hampton Valley. Though the spring rain persisted, our indoor ceremony was lovely with the clouds parting just in time for post ceremony outdoor pictures. ⁣
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Nothing could phase this couple from having a wonderful day. Kevin and Simone were a joy to work with easily making decisions about their ceremony fast and as a united team. I was so impressed by them and their beautiful vows. ⁣
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Newlyweds: and ⁣
Venue: ⁣
Officiant: ⁣
Vow Books: ⁣
Photography: ⁣
Videography: ⁣
DJ: ⁣
Ceremony Music: ⁣
Flowers: ⁣
Decor/Rentals: ⁣
Dessert/Cake: ⁣
Hair | Makeup: ⁣
Dresses: ⁣
Jewelry: .jewelers⁣
Suits: ⁣
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05/15/2026

I’m so excited I got to capture this moment of Kristin and Brendan’s first dance. I’m usually gone before the intros, toasts and dances but rain caused us to shorten our ceremony so I stayed a little while longer to share the love story portion of the ceremony in the ballroom. Our opening welcome also included some heartfelt thanks and dear memories and the couple really wanted to make sure people heard them. Brendan surprised his new wife, Kristin with a saxophonist to accompany their first dance song. Always a great day at Great River Golf Club — be it rain or shine!⁣
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Congratulations Kristin & Brendan! ❤️🥂⁣
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Venue: ⁣
Officiant: ⁣
Photography: ⁣
DJ: ⁣
Flowers: Sassy Posy⁣
Dessert/Cake: ⁣
Hair | Makeup: ⁣
Wedding Dress: ⁣
Jewelry: ⁣
Suits: ⁣
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05/14/2026

Madi and Adrian’s love story began when they were just in high school and their new chapter in marriage began in between the raindrops at The Lace Factory on April 25th. ⁣
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Their indoor ceremony featured the most beautiful personal vows - they both did a great job, crafting creative expressions of love and promises to their partner. ⁣
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They also had a candle lighting ceremony where each mother lit a candle and “passed the torch” for caring for their child onto their soon-to-be spouse! 🕯️🕯️⁣
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So much fun to work with them and their story centered around always being there for each other and being a constant support system. Always in each other’s corner! Congrats to Madi and Adrian! 🥂🍾❤️⁣
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Newlyweds: ⁣
Venue: ⁣
Officiant: ⁣
Vow Books: ⁣
Photography: ⁣
DJ: ⁣
Flowers: ⁣
Dessert/Cake: ⁣
Hair: ⁣
Dresses: ⁣
Jewelry: ⁣
Suits: ⁣
Transportation: ⁣
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05/04/2026

Registration for 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗢 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 is closing in 2 days!⁣
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Join the WIN Council of the Greater Valley Chamber for an evening of bingo, networking, and community engagement, with proceeds supporting women-owned businesses across the Valley through the WIN Entrepreneurial Micro-Grant.⁣
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🗓 Tuesday, May 12, 2026⁣
⏰ 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM⁣
🏩 Courtyard by Marriott ⁣
📍 780 Bridgeport Avenue Shelton, CT⁣
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Your $40 ticket includes:⁣
✨ Food + desserts⁣
✨ 1 Wingo board⁣
✨ 1 door prize entry⁣
✨ 2 raffle tickets⁣
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Here’s just a few of the prizes and raffles available throughout the evening!⁣
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1 Headshot or Family photo session with Tina Marie Photography 📸⁣
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2 Theater tickets to Milford Arts Council 🎟️🎟️⁣
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2 Wine Tastings and a bottle of wine from Jones Family Farm 🍷🍷⁣
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1 Month of Piano Lessons from PianoTime⁣
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5 Pilates Sessions & 30min Sauna from Core Pilates 💪⁣
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and over 25 more prizes, Retail & Restaurant Gift cards! ⁣
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PLUS everyone is entered into the door prize: an Overnight stay at the Courtyard!⁣
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Limited seating, registration closes May 6th. Purchase your ticket at greatervalleychamber.com and click on EVENTS/MEETINGS, find us in the May 12th box of the calendar!⁣
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04/27/2026

When I first saw this, I was all fired up—disappointed again in another large media outlet’s lack of inclusion of professional officiants in the wedding planning process. ⁣
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Now, I’m just sad, but also not surprised.⁣
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What is the VERY first thing that happens at the beginning of every wedding day? The ceremony. And the person directing that ceremony is important for so many reasons, one of which is making the couple’s marriage legal. They also set the tone, share the couple’s love story, give the blessing or sacrament (if it’s a religious ceremony), and more.⁣
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So WHY is the officiant such a small part of the wedding conversation? Why aren’t they listed in the wedding budget? ⁣
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Even a church asks for a donation for the priest, cantor, and organist. Asking a friend to officiate may be “free,” but couples should consider setting aside money for coaching or even a thoughtful thank-you gift.⁣
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The “guest officiant” trend is rising, but many don’t fully understand the role - leaving other vendors to step in; coaching them, cueing guests, or reminding the officiant where to stand.⁣
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Many of my colleagues have stopped asking to be tagged or are trying to “let it go” that we’re not represented. But when a well-known, respected publication like the NY Times creates a 32 page guide where the officiant feels so minor to the whole picture, it’s disheartening.
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I doubt it’s going to change - unless we support each other.⁣ Here’s my annual ask to my fellow wedding vendors: 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗧𝗔𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗧. ⁣
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We see those long vendor lists at the end of posts, but we’re often missing.⁣
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If it’s not a pro, you can still list:⁣
Officiant: Bob Smith, Bride’s Uncle⁣
Officiant: Father Bob Smith, St. Mary’s⁣
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The fact that they’re not a pro or don’t have an IG tag doesn’t matter.⁣
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If you value the officiant, whoever they are, maybe the media will follow.⁣
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And if you’re already tagging us — I see you, and I THANK YOU.⁣ 👏
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And - no hard feelings—just maybe consider interviewing some professional officiants for a future wedding feature. I guarantee it would be interesting and educational for everyone. ❤️⁣
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