Non-denominational Wedding Officiant Since 1983
Dr. Lili Goodman Freitas
Since 1983, Reverend Lili Goodman has officiated weddings as a non-denominational, ordained minister. She officiates Marriage, Renewal of Vows and Commitment ceremonies throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
Officiating is a work of the heart. Rev. Lili’s experience for over thirty years as an educator, counselor, minister, consultant and inspirational speaker inform her ministry with couples as she supports couples launching into married life. With grace and love she extends warmth, insight, and humor while conveying the sacredness of the marriage ceremony.
Lili holds Masters degrees in Social Work and Psychology, and doctorates in Folklore-Folklife and in Spiritual Science. She has taken special interest in creative ritual, comparative religion and belief systems. She teaches graduate students in Counseling Psychology and Transcendent Leadership.
Lili’s personal and professional life is dedicated to supporting others in developing themselves through their expressions of service, creativity life purpose and love. She lives with her husband in Petaluma California where they enjoy renovating their 100 year old home. In her spare time, she delights in her family, playing the fiddle with the San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers, writing, gardening, and volunteering with Rotary International, Supporting the Rotary Peace Fellows, MSIA, and the Peace Theological Seminary and College of Philosophy.
Words of Thanks from Happy Couples
LILI’S HAPPY CLIENTS
"Thank you so much for working with us to craft a beautiful and personal ceremony. Our guests still mention how special it was! But more importantly, you brought a very calming, stately presence on our day and that was just what we needed!"
"The wedding day was incredibly joyous and wonderful! We felt greatly connected to Lili and appreciate the warmth she shared not only with us, but with our families and all the guests. People commented at how the beautiful words were, and her loving presence really supported the atmosphere we wanted to create on our special day. Her patience, kindness, and acceptance of our love, cultures and union really made the entire experience that much more special."
"Getting married is a very personal, treasured event – and we both agree there could have been no one better to guide us through our wedding than you. We wish we could get married all over again just to be able to work with you again!"
"As mother of the bride, I am so touched and pleased that you performed my daughter’s wedding. Not only were your words so carefully chosen, so personal, so spiritual, but they were also so clearly heard by all, including the elderly, hard of hearing relatives. Yesterday, I drove to my parents home {in their 80's} and they mentioned how well they heard all that you said and how amazing you were. Thank you so much for such a beautiful ceremony. My heart remains very full."
"From our first conversation with Lili we knew she would be the perfect person to marry us. Her calm gentle demeanor and ability to get us to focus on each other was tremendously helpful, especially the day before the wedding, when we felt worn to a frazzle! The ceremony was so lovely, and her words rang so true for both of us. Her spirituality shines through her and wraps those close to in the warm light of God. We are so grateful to her for helping us craft the perfect ceremony and being an integral part of beginning of our life together as a family."
"Lili's work on our ceremony was indispensable. Not only did she provide us with numerous written options for the ceremony, She also gave us a lot of great ideas for rituals from a variety of cultural traditions. All of this allowed us to tailor a ceremony that fit us perfectly. In addition, her actual officiating of the ceremony itself was absolutely inspired, and we received nothing but raves from our guests concerning the ceremony. Lili made us feel entirely comfortable from our initial meeting, all the way through to our presentation as husband and wife, and we could not recommend her services more strongly!"
"Lili met with us before the wedding ceremony, taking time to get to know us as individuals and as a couple. With sensitivity, kindness, and insight, she helped us clarify the special things we were each bringing to the relationship, and where we hoped to go together in the marriage. Her thoughtfulness and skill made all the difference as we prepared for this profound event in our lives. When the big day arrived, Lili was so loving and graceful as she led us through the ceremony we forgot our nerves and relaxed into the joy of the occasion. We knew we were in skillful, capable hands, and all we had to think about was each other and the incredible spirit of love that was present."
"There is no price tag for the love and care you put into making the beginning of our marriage so reflective of us as a couple. We consider ourselves blessed to have had you as the one who helped us begin our married life."
"We loved the way the ceremony had a spiritual yet earthly quality to it. So many of our family and friends commented on how beautifully the ceremony was delivered and on your calming presence and wonderful voice. Your patience and professionalism was a Godsend during the weeks leading up to the wedding. You kept us organized with our ceremony deadlines, which helped us immensely in staying calm. We are so happy we got to work with you."
"David and I are so very pleased that you presided over our wedding ceremony. Family members told us repeatedly that they were very moved and wondered how we found someone who conveyed so much of the spirit of our particular union in the words of the ceremony. You were a pleasure to work with from the beginning to the moment we bid you farewell. We will always treasure your incomparable contribution to our most unforgettable day on this earth."
"My husband and I had a very uplifting experience of Lili’s officiating our wedding ceremony. From the beginning there was a sincerity in our work together to make the vows, the discussions of our relationship, and the ceremony itself an experience of loving and honesty. Prior to the ceremony we discussed our vows, as well as the challenges in our relationship which needed blessings and support for healing and resolution. With her support, our marriage ceremony became the stage for us to authentically express ourselves as individuals, and as partners, to our beloved family and friends. Our time meeting with her beforehand, the wedding ceremony, and the overall synergy created from our work together resides in our hearts always. We are eternally grateful for her support and loving, and know that the opportunity to work with her and receive her guidance and blessings was a gracious gift from Spirit."
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