Meet Jp Reynolds | non-denominational, inter-faith, cross-cultural wedding officiant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jp Reynolds and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi JP, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
“Never Crystallize. Remain open to change, renewal, adventure, experiment.” Anais Nin

I was painfully shy in high school and when I got to college I knew I had to do something to break through what was keeping me from connecting with people. And so, I joined the school’s radio station, WFUV (Fordham University). If I worked at a radio station, I’d be forced to speak, but, I wouldn’t have to look at people. I soon found myself hosting a weekly two-hour arts-n-entertainment interview show. Yes, the shy guy ended up hosting a totally nerdy radio show!

I sought out the help of Marguerite Young, the school’s writer-in-residence. She had written “Miss MacIntosh, My Darling.” At that time it was the longest novel published in English, clocking-in at 1,198 pages.

She introduced me to a bevy of writers, artists, performers and among them was Anais Nin. Nin was warm, gracious, sensual and, yes, a hint exotic. Or is that just my memory playing tricks on me?

I devoured her writings. But of everything she’s written, this quote is what has guided, goaded and encouraged me in many of my major life decisions.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Originally ordained a Catholic priest, today I work as a non-denominational wedding officiant. During the last twenty+ years, I’ve celebrated over 1000 weddings – non-denominational, inter-faith, cross-cultural, same-sex.

My wedding ceremonies have been seen on Lifetime, VH-1, E! Entertainment, The WE and CBS.

I’ve collaborated with many of the Wedding Industry’s top event planners and been named 6x Best Officiant for Orange County by “California Wedding Day Magazine.”

I’m often asked why I like officiating weddings. Well, I can’t imagine not celebrating
wedding ceremonies. And while it’s not the only thing I do – I also teach, write, consult
and speak – it’s a dimension of my life that gives me life.

Why do I love weddings? The simple answer is that I love stories. Every couple that
comes to me not only has a story, every couple is a story!

I love listening to the myriad ways in which people first met, and I especially enjoy
having them tell me the story of what happened after that first meeting – the story of
how they’ve gone about creating a life – often times a life that has surprised them in
terms of where it has taken them.

Why do I love weddings? I love them because I continually stand in awe of people’s
courage and daring and hope. It’s simply not possible to commit to another person
without the courage, daring and hope that necessarily undergirds all faith and love.

I love weddings because I love looking at a couple’s guests as they mingle about
before the ceremony and then as they sit in anticipation of the ceremony’s start. I love feeling the wave of emotion that ripples throughout the gathering.

I look at the guests and I know that they know how brutally tough and demanding life
can be – that not every day can be as joyful as that day, BUT, I see the hope and the
excitement in their eyes.

I love standing in the middle of so much hope!
My hope is that your ceremony provides a touchstone for your life together.

PHILOSOPHY

The ceremonies I officiate are non-denominational, interfaith, or cross-cultural. About 60% of the couples I marry request that there be no mention of God and I’m comfortable with that.

I tailor the ceremony to the couple; I don’t work from pre-printed ceremonies. I want family and friends to recognize the couple in their ceremony.

I’ve published three wedding-related books, including Wedding Dreams and Other Nightmares: How To Stay Sane While Planning Your Wedding. Through story and anecdote, the book offers tips for how to communicate with your partner, and your family, in such a way that you get heard and understood during what could turn into the most stressful time of your life!

I co-host a bi-weekly podcast, The Wedding Ceremony Podcast, with Rev. Clint Hufft.

In addition, these publications have profiled wedding couples whose ceremonies I’ve officiated:

People Magazine
The New York Times
In Style Weddings
Los Angeles Weddings
Orange Coast Weddings
Grace Ormond Wedding Style
Brides Magazine

In addition to my responsibilities as an officiant, I’m the founder of The Business of Confidence (JPBOC.com). Through one-on-one coaching as well as workshops and keynotes, I show business professionals how to communicate in smart, strategic ways so as to present themselves with insight and confidence. My clients range from the not-for-profit sector to the Fortune 500.

I also regularly lecture on issues of communication and relationships at UCLA Extension.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The best visits, even with the closest of friends, last 72 hours. I enjoy hosting good friends in a whirlwind fashion.

For anyone visiting who is not familiar with LA I typically book a customized tour with TourDuJour.net (http://tourdujour.net). Jim Humay, the owner, is fun, inventive and offers folks glimpses into some off-beaten corners of town.

Depending on the tastes of my guests, we can go highbrow at Dante’s over at the Maybourne, or cozy and local at Aroma Café on Tujunga in Studio City.

While I’ve got my fave spots I like to pop into for dinner, when I’ve got guests I like to experiment. That’s one of the reasons why I enjoy Abernathy’s at The Music Center because it gets a new chef and menu every Quarter. I’ve never been disappointed.

I’m a sucker for an Escape Room and maybe one of these days I’ll make it out in under 60 minutes. My friends and I are hopeless in these rooms. Hmm. Maybe that’s why we’re friends?

I’m lucky in that I’ve a got a friend who belongs to The Magic Castle and so anytime I’ve got visitors we’ll eventually end-up at The Castle.

For a day trip, I typically take folks down Laguna way, ending up at The Ranch, a resort hidden off PCH and that is like going to a movie setting for some far-away tale – comedy or romance depending on those guests!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ll begin with giving another shout-out to Anais Nin and her overall influence on my approach to life.

Jim Janda, a poet whose work sadly is now out-of-print, was a man who taught me how to listen and how not to judge. I learned from him that everyone has a story and that everyone IS a story.

Of course, a shout-out to all the couples whose wedding ceremonies I’ve officiated – that’s shout-out to over 1000 couples! I’ve delighted in each and have learned from each to bow before the mystery of life and love. And to enjoy the whack-a-do-ness of all those families!

To so many of my colleagues in the wedding world – too many to name – but I get to work with some of the most talented and generous people on this planet.

Website: http://jprweddings.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jprweddings/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpreynoldsconfidence/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/jprweddings

Other: https://www.amazon.com/author/jpreynolds

Image Credits
@AngelicaMariePhoto
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@JSPhoto
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