Meet Octavio Quilichini | Expert Wedding Officiant & Notary Public

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

Hi Octavio, how does your business help the community?
My business helps the community and the world by providing compassionate, inclusive, and accessible services that go far beyond simply officiating weddings. As a bilingual wedding officiant with over 12 years of experience, I’ve had the honor of making couples’ dreams come true — a joy that’s truly indescribable. But my role doesn’t stop at the ceremony. As a notary public authorized by the Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, I am also able to issue marriage licenses, which is life-changing for many couples.

I regularly work with people from all walks of life — from low-income families in desperate need of legal marriage for immigration or family reasons, to same-sex couples who cannot legally marry in their home countries, to international couples traveling to California just to say “I do.” My services are open and welcoming to everyone, regardless of background, financial status, or nationality.

Whether I’m helping a celebrity couple or someone with limited resources, my mission is the same: to provide dignity, hope, and love through marriage. I take pride in being a trusted resource for the local Hispanic community and for couples around the world who need someone to not only marry them, but to guide them with care and respect through one of the most important moments of their lives.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What I’m most proud of is the impact my work has had on people’s lives — especially those who feel unseen, unheard, or overlooked by the system. Every time I help a couple say “I do,” especially those facing immigration struggles, discrimination, or financial hardship, I’m reminded why I do what I do. It’s not just about officiating a wedding; it’s about creating hope, healing, and possibility. That’s what excites me every single day.

My journey to where I am today has been anything but conventional. I come from a strong background in theater, acting, and voice acting, which has shaped how I connect with people. Performing taught me how to listen deeply, express emotion, and tell stories — all of which are now essential to how I create unforgettable, personalized ceremonies. That artistic foundation gave me the voice, literally and figuratively, to stand in front of couples and their loved ones and make a moment feel magical, meaningful, and real.

But the road hasn’t been easy. As a bilingual professional, a man, and someone helping underserved communities, I’ve had to overcome skepticism, systemic barriers, and financial uncertainty, especially in the beginning. A lot of us face the challenge of couples selecting their cousin, uncle, or friend to officiate their weddings, unaware of how unprofessional it always turns out. Your cousin, uncle, or friend, have no idea what they’re doing. It is one thing to be good at public speaking but officiating a wedding is a whole other beast. They are not used to the amount of pressure of possibly ruining your wedding just by making one small mistake or saying an inappropriate joke.
Many people didn’t understand the value of what I bring to the table — or why I was so determined to help couples from all walks of life, regardless of their ability to pay. I stayed grounded in my purpose. I leaned on my creativity, my resilience, and my passion for human connection.

Along the way, I’ve learned that compassion is a superpower. That professionalism and heart can — and must — coexist. And that serving your community doesn’t mean sacrificing your worth; it means expanding your reach. I’ve had the honor of being featured on the cover of Hola magazine, marrying couples from all over the world, and earning the trust of both high-profile clients and families just trying to survive.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that I am here for everyone. Whether you’re a celebrity or a couple scraping together your last dollars to make your union legal, I will show up for you with the same love and dedication. My brand stands for inclusivity, humanity, and celebration — especially for those who have been told their love doesn’t count. With me, it does. Every time.

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?
If my best friend was visiting L.A. for a week, I’d plan a mix of iconic spots and under-the-radar favorites — the kind of trip that shows off what I love most about living here: great food, culture, sports, and nature. Nothing too over-the-top, just real L.A. vibes.

Day 1 – Welcome to L.A.
We’d kick things off with tacos at Sonoratown downtown — best flour tortillas, no contest. After that, maybe a walk through the Arts District, hit up Hauser & Wirth for some contemporary art, then grab a beer at Angel City Brewery nearby. Chill first day, nothing too heavy.

Day 2 – Classic L.A. Day
Breakfast at République — can’t go wrong. Then we’d hit LACMA and maybe swing by the Academy Museum next door. For dinner, Bestia in the Arts District if we can get a reservation. Nightcap at Bar Caló in Echo Park — great mezcal cocktails.

Day 3 – Nature + Views
Morning hike in Griffith Park to the Observatory — classic, and the views never get old. Lunch at The Trails Café, low-key but super good. Afternoon at the Huntington Library & Gardens — the Japanese and desert gardens are incredible. For dinner, something casual like Pine & Crane for Taiwanese food in Silver Lake.

Day 4 – Beach Day
We’d head west — coffee and pastries from Gjusta in Venice, then rent bikes and cruise the Strand down to Manhattan Beach. Grab lunch at The Arthur J (great steakhouse vibes), then maybe a sunset drink at The Bungalow in Santa Monica. Dinner could be sushi at Sugarfish or somewhere like Sasabune if we’re feeling fancy.

Day 5 – Sports & Chill
Depending on the season, catch a Dodgers, Lakers, or Rams game — nothing beats the energy of a live game here. Pre-game dinner at Howlin’ Ray’s if we’re in the mood for heat, or Philippe’s for old-school L.A. vibes. Maybe hit The Varnish after if we want one perfect cocktail.

Day 6 – Art + Eastside
Spend the day exploring Highland Park and Echo Park. Grab breakfast at Kitchen Mouse, check out local galleries and shops, and maybe hang in Elysian Park for a mellow afternoon. Dinner at Baco Mercat (if it ever reopened), or Barbrix in Silver Lake for a wine bar feel.

Day 7 – Wind Down
Start slow with brunch at Sqirl (yes, the hype is real), then walk around Los Feliz or Franklin Village. Maybe hit a Korean spa like Wi Spa or Olympic Spa to decompress. Final dinner at n/naka if I really want to blow their mind — or just go old-school with Musso & Frank Grill in Hollywood.

L.A. is full of contrasts, and I’d want my friend to feel the full range — the energy, the calm, the creativity, the grit. Whether you’re into fine dining or food trucks, beaches or museums, sports or nature — it’s all here. You just have to know where to look.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I owe everything to Alan Katz the owner of Great Officiants. A very well established Officiant referral agency in Long Beach. He was the one who got me ordained in 2013 and hired me on the spot. Had he not given me that opportunity I would never be where I am now.

Website: https://samedaymarriages.com/

Instagram: @socalminister

Facebook: Octavio Quilichini

Yelp: https://yelp.to/fH3Ovg5rlg