Ceremonies

Ceremonies for life's biggest moments.

Weddings, blessings, and new beginnings, written with you and led with calm, warm presence, so the day is honored and you get to simply be there. For all faith traditions and everything in-between.

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Big moments deserve to be marked. A ceremony gives the day its honor, gathers your people, and sends you into what comes next with your whole heart.

What You Receive

A ceremony that sounds like you.

Written for You

Every ceremony is written from scratch, with your story, your words, and your people woven in.

Every Tradition Welcome

All faith traditions and everything in-between. Prayer, scripture, and ritual are offered whenever they are wanted, always at your lead.

Calm on the Day

We lead from start to finish with calm, warm presence, so you get to be fully there.

Heartwood for Couples

Every couple we marry receives Heartwood, the couples app, for the first year together and beyond.

A candle glowing in a quiet stone alcove.

We know what these days mean, and we help you make them yours.

Maybe church or family is far away, or life is starting fresh. A ceremony can still be deep, personal, and yours. Grounded walks with you from the first conversation to the last blessing.

Chris Joy is a chaplain and ordained minister, legally able to officiate weddings, with years of standing with families at life's biggest thresholds. He and Kayti have been married 22 years. Our story

Three simple steps.

Reach out.Tell us about the day, the people, and what matters most. You can start before you have a date.
We write it together.We listen, in person or on Zoom, and write a ceremony you approve before the day.
Celebrate the day.We lead the ceremony, and for weddings, we sign and return your marriage license.

Book a Ceremony or Talk

The Story

From death to life.

A couple writes vows they will keep for a lifetime. A family blesses a new baby, then a new home. Someone marks a sober year with the people who walked beside them, and someone else marks a fresh start after a big ending. And when a life is complete, a family gathers to celebrate it, then steps forward together. Grounded leads with life: every new beginning honored, from death to life.

Life Ceremonies

Celebrate what is beginning.

Weddings

Your story, your vows, and a ceremony that sounds like the two of you. Every couple we marry receives Heartwood, the couples app, as part of the wedding.

What to expect

A first conversation. The two of you, your date, your place, and the feeling you want.
Getting to know your story. How you met, what you love about each other, and what you hope for.
Writing your ceremony. A custom ceremony for your notes, with help on your vows.
Rehearsal and the day. We lead the ceremony and sign and return your license.
Heartwood: After the Vows. Your private app for your first year together.

Wedding, fully custom: from $650. Rehearsal: $150.

See Weddings Ask About Your Date

ElopementsJust the two of you, somewhere that matters.From $350 Vow RenewalsFor couples who would say it all again.From $500 Child BlessingsWelcoming a new life into a family.From $300 House BlessingsA new home, blessed from the doorway in.From $300 Milestones and New BeginningsGraduations, retirements, sober years, a fresh start, a new home, and a new chapter.From $300

Travel weddings. Planning a wedding far from home? We prepare with you online, and you cover flights and lodging, plus $250 for each travel day. We say yes to a few each year, so reach out early.

Honoring a Life

Celebrate a life well lived.

When a life is complete, we help a family gather, tell its story, and step forward together, at a time that fits.

Celebrations of LifeStories, music, laughter, and room for tears.From $500 Funerals and MemorialsHonest, personal services that sound like them.From $500 GravesideA short committal at the graveside, with family close.From $350

If a death has happened or is close, check the urgent box on the form, and we will usually reach out the same day.

Everyone is welcome, whatever your budget. Reduced rates and grace spots are set aside every month. Travel is included for the first 30 miles.

See Rates and Accessibility

One-on-one time is available by request.

Common questions

Before you reach out.

Do I need to be religious to work with you?

We work with people of all faith traditions and everything in-between. Prayer, scripture, and ritual are offered whenever they're wanted, always at your lead.

Where do you work?

We're based in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Travel is included for the first 30 miles, and beyond that it is charged at the IRS mileage rate. Planning can happen on Zoom, and ceremonies can be live streamed for loved ones far away.

Will you travel for our wedding?

Yes, for a few weddings each year. We prepare with you online, and you cover flights and lodging, plus $250 for each travel day.

What comes with a wedding?

A first conversation, getting to know your story, a custom ceremony, the rehearsal if you want one, leading the day, signing and returning your license, and Heartwood, the couples app, for your first year together.

What does it cost?

Every ceremony lists its rate on this page, and all of them are on our Rates and Accessibility page.

What if money is tight?

Everyone is welcome, whatever your budget. Tell us what's possible, and we'll find a rate that works. A few ceremonies each month are set aside as a gift or at a reduced rate for families in hardship.

How quickly will you respond?

We reply to every message within two days, usually sooner. If a death has happened or is close, check the urgent box, and we'll usually reach out the same day.

Contact

Book a ceremony or talk.

Weddings, blessings, new beginnings, celebrations of life, talks, or a question. We read every message and reply within two days, and the same day when it's urgent.

Rather write directly? hello [at] growwithgrounded [dot] com

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