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Introduction
Are you an Ordained Minister?
Are you a part time Minister serving in a church?
Do you have an Alternative Ministry serving as Chaplain,
Teacher, or Healer?
Creating a wedding ministry is the perfect opportunity
for you to use your special training to help couples
create their memorable wedding ceremony.
Marriage is a sacrament in the Christian religion, a legal and economic necessity in other faiths
and cultures. There is an entire generation of people, not associated with a church, who find themselves
in a dilemma. When the time comes for them to marry, they have few choices. They can go to
a District Justice for a simple Civil Ceremony or join a church under false pretenses in order
to be married in a traditional way.
As a Minister, you have specific skills and training that can help couples create their wedding day.
Every wedding couple must have an officiant. Couples have many choices as they plan their wedding.
According to their budget they choose rings, location, gowns, flowers, reception site, food, and cake.
The common denominator in all weddings is The Officiant!
This book identifies the steps necessary for you to create a successful wedding business. A business
that allows you to use your training as an Ordained Minister and be of service to those looking for help.
Who I Am
 My name is Reverend Sharon Marquart, Spiritual Director of Open Heart Ministries. I became an
Ordained Minister through Universal Life Church in 1996. Open Heart Ministries is an Alternative Ministry,
meaning I do not have a church or congregation. I facilitate classes and workshops, offer individual and
group spiritual coaching, and write and publish inspiring books and articles. I have been called
to serve as Interim Minister for several churches in the area in which I live.
Over the past seven years I have put energy into developing a Wedding Ministry and have married over
500 couples. I consider my wedding ministry to be one of unconditional love. I have few requirements
for the couple to meet in order for me to perform their ceremony; I bring no agenda to their
relationship. In turn, couples often say that I am an answer to their prayers. They are grateful
for my willingness to honor them and their beliefs. I believe this is the greatest service of
love we can offer another.
I began creating my Wedding Ministry using my home phone, coffee table, a word processor and my car.
I performed a few ceremonies for friends. I took out a small ad in the local newspaper.
In the past five years my wedding ministry has grown 370%. Through this growth process I have
identified many concepts and ideas that have "worked" and those that have not.
It is my pleasure to share this information to assist you in building a successful wedding business
as you help couples create their special day.
Your questions and/or comments are always welcome.
Reverend Sharon Marquart
openheartministries@verizon.net
How To Use This Book
I have designed this book in a step-by-step approach, walking you through what you need to know to build your successful business.
Questions you can expect to be asked by couples are listed along with issues for you to consider as you develop your
own personal style and approach.
I have used symbols to highlight special points:
 Identifies specific actions you will want to take.
 Identifies specific actions I have found to be successful in italics.
In the Reference Section I have provided copies of correspondence that I have used and found successful.
I am also providing these same letters with information lines left blank for your personal modifications.
Your questions and/or comments are always welcome.
Reverend Sharon Marquart
openheartministries@verizon.net
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