Meet Maria Pelton.
Part master storyteller, part natural people-person, and the ultimate calm at the center of hundreds of Upstate New York weddings.
The woman behind The Officiant
Hi! I’m Maria, and I’m the woman behind The Officiant. I’ve always believed that the best connections happen when people show up as their real selves. With me, what you see is who you get—whether you’ve known me for 30 years or we’re meeting for the very first time. At my core, I am a total people person. I love meeting people from every walk of life, hearing their stories, and building genuine connections. Bringing that same authentic warmth to the altar is simply second nature to me.
My roots trace back to a tiny town in Southern Vermont with a population of about 650 people—where the cows actually out numbered us, and I went to a genuine one-room schoolhouse. Born in Florida and adopted as a baby, I grew up surrounded by horses, swim team practices, and a deep love for dogs that was impossible to miss. To this day, I’m a huge animal lover—so if we connect on Zoom and your dog makes a cameo, you will make my whole day.
Outside of officiating, my love for crafting memorable experiences takes another form: I went to trade school for culinary arts and run a home-based bakery specializing in custom scratch-baked cakes and cupcakes. (And before you ask—nope, I don't do wedding cakes, though I love the thought!) What else would you like to know? I'm pretty much an open book. If there’s anything you’re curious about when we meet, please don't hesitate to ask. I can’t wait for the opportunity to connect with you!
— Maria
“Maria is the best! We couldn't have asked for a better wedding officiant!”
— Kate & ChrisWhat every couple can count on
A completely custom ceremony, written from scratch to tell your exact story.
Never recycled, never routine. Your love story told with absolute authenticity—bringing out deep meaning, effortless laughter, and the kind of moments that truly land.
Calm, confident warmth for your big moment.
A master of the room who keeps you calm, grounded, and fully present for the biggest moment of your day.
Every legal detail seamless, signed, and taken care of.
From marriage license guidance to prompt filing with the clerk—every legal detail is executed seamlessly, so you can rest easy knowing it’s 100% official.
A few from the front row
“So communicative and easy to work with throughout the whole process. On the day of, she delivered a beautiful and personalized ceremony.”
— Austin A.Let's see if your date is open.
Tell me all about your day—I read every single message myself and will get back to you within 24 hours.
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