Hello! My name is Melissa Coe, and it is my true pleasure and delight to meet you!

I am originally from the South, but I have lived in the Pacific Northwest by choice for over thirty years. Because I have a southern gene (at least after a glass of wine), I LOVE telling stories ~ beautifully, compellingly, and with conviction. I feel that being a Celebrant was meant to be!

I believe that each of our lives has an abundance of significant days, all of which deserve to be celebrated memorably with great enjoyment for all concerned. I also believe that “Life has its moments, so remember them well.”

As an unknown author once said:

Our stories ground us. We select them, we edit them, and we tell them to others in order to explain ourselves.

What a great reason to conduct ceremony! In fact, there are as many different ceremonies to be performed as there are stories to be told and ways to express love for each other.

I LOVE Officiating All Kinds of Ceremonies

As a full-time Professional Wedding Officiant and Certified Master Life-Celebrant ™, I LOVE traveling from West Coast to the East Coast, across mountains and oceans and beyond, to officiate ceremonies. Wherever you want to celebrate your love, I'll be there - in any way, shape or form, on whatever continent YOU decide to say, "I do."

I promise that you will have my total, undivided attention during our time together. You can expect that I will:

• ONLY celebrate one wedding a day - yours!
• Arrive at least one hour before the starting time to be your 'calm in the eye of the storm', and
• I will perform your ceremony exactly the way you wanted it – with no surprise announcements, proclamations or strange attempts at humor that were not previously approved! 
• YOU own your ceremony, and it is my true labor of love to make it so.

Eclectic Interests and a Passion for Storytelling

Personally, I have been married for longer than I can count, have three incredible daughters, and one small dog.

I confess to being a TOTAL “foodie” who loves to cook and garden and I'm addicted to remodeling and installing hardwood floors and granite countertops–despite disastrous results for manicures!

Academically, I have a BFA in Art and Children’s Literature, have taught world religions and have done graduate work in Business and Interior Design.

I have also completed the Celebrant Foundation & Institute’s academic program as a Master level, Certified Life-Cycle Celebrant ™ (one who is educated in ceremony from birth to death).  I am the Oregon & Idaho Celebrant Chapter Co-Chair, Equality Institute Certified ™ as well as the co-founder of Wedding Professionals United for Marriage – an organization of wedding professionals who are LGBTQ friends and allies.  Look at my "Vendors I Love" page for their listings!

Professionally, I have taught art, was the Marketing Director of a nationally known book company, owned an art gallery in downtown Portland, and directed the Sacred Arts program at Marylhurst University: all while working as an Interior Design consultant.  In other words, my interests are many and varied.

What unites them is that they draw on my skills of organizing, creating and celebrating, as well as on a love of community, ceremony and ritual. They also incorporate a passion for color, design and texture, as well as for public speaking, writing and telling stories.  I LOVE telling stories, especially love stories!

My sole/soul goal is to provide ALL of my clients with their own perfectly composed, beautiful, breathtaking, unforgettably meaningful ceremony designed just for them! They can have it any way and anywhere they want, and I will be there for them, conducting their ceremony warmly and sincerely. Joyfully and with great heart.  Exactly and precisely the way they've dreamed.

Contact Melissa