What started out as accepting a friend’s request to be the officiant at her wedding in 2015, has now turned in to a part-time business for Rachelle Escamilla. “My first wedding was in 2015. It was actually my friend from Rancho,” who Escamilla had, “reconnected with” while both were living in Asia. Though it would take Escamilla two years to “build up the courage” to start her business from her first wedding in 2015, Escamilla now performs innovative, non-denominational ceremonies for people in San Benito and Monterey Counties.
Part of the draw to continue her path of officiating weddings came from support of friends who believed Escamilla had a knack for public speaking, as well as due to Escamilla wanting to create a safe space for all couples who may struggle to find an officiant due to personal beliefs or sexual orientation. “Marriage is about love and romance,” Escamilla said and not social barriers placed on couples. In fact, same-sex marriages and elopements are Escamilla’s highest customer base.
When asked if she would perform a ceremony for a couple who wanted to incorporate their religious faith Escamilla said, “I am an atheist,” and as a result would not feel authentic performing a ceremony with religious aspects. “There’s plenty of people who will give you a religious ceremony,” Escamilla said while further explaining her business is marketed for non-denominational marriages.
Escamilla’s main motive, however, is ensuring couples who love each other have a memorable day. “I want to create memorable and innovative ceremonies for couples who love each other,” Escamilla said.
Part of Escamilla’s way of doing this is using her skills as a professional poet to create custom ceremonies. Escamilla has a PhD in Poetry and is a professor at CSU Monterey Bay. This passion for the written word and marriage motivates Escamilla to spend quality time with her customers to create custom ceremonies and to ensure the ceremonies go off without a hitch. “I can’t imagine as a poet and being someone that’s sensitive, I can’t imagine messing it up,” Escamilla said.
While Escamilla’s weddings have currently been performed in San Benito and Monterey Counties Escamilla would be willing to travel to marry a couple if it was the right fit and the time frames matched. Feeling that couples should be able to express their personalities and love on their special say, Escamilla shared, “What’s more poetic than love.”
Escamilla can be found on Wedding Wire for her services.
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