Reverend Jo. Reviews

Reviews

• Bonnie M. Sent on 07/06/2022
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  Most gorgeous ceremony

  We had the most beautiful ceremony we could have imagined. When we began looking for an officiant, we wanted someone who we meshed with and who could craft a ceremony that reflected us as a couple, and our values. We found that in Rev. Joanna. We met a few times over Zoom, so we could get to know each other, and in our final meeting she walked us through each part of the ceremony. She let us customize as much or as little as we wanted, providing examples to guide us. And she even adjusted the day of, as we were marrying the day after the Dobbs decision and she added in the most perfect lines. We rehearsed with her the day before, which was so helpful in getting our nerves out. Everyone commented on how personal and lovely the ceremony was; we are so grateful to Rev. Joanna for making our day perfect. Bonnie & Phil

  We had the most beautiful ceremony we could have imagined. When we began looking for an officiant, we wanted someone who we meshed with and who could craft a ceremony that reflected us as a couple, and our values. We found that in Rev. Joanna. We met a few times over Zoom, so we could get to know each other, and in our final meeting she walked us through each part of the ceremony. She let us customize as much or as little as we wanted, providing examples to guide us. And she even adjusted the day of, as we were marrying the day after the Dobbs decision and she added in the most perfect lines. We rehearsed with her the day before, which was so helpful in getting our nerves out. Everyone commented on how personal and lovely the ceremony was; we are so grateful to Rev. Joanna for making our day perfect. Bonnie & Phil
• Suzanne G. Sent on 06/23/2022
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  Jo is the best!

  Jo married us this June in an interfaith ceremony. She is simply the best. We met with her last year because we cared very much about blending our two faiths into the ceremony; Jo guided us to a ceremony that felt authentic and wholeheartedly blended. She always provided suggestions but was also so open to ideas and thoughts we had as well. She ran a wonderful rehearsal with our families to help get the nerves out, and the day of went as smooth as could be! We got an overwhelming amount of compliments on our ceremony due to Jo's professionalism, authenticity, and overall charm and talent. We would highly recommend her for anyone! Lots of love, Blake and Suz

  Jo married us this June in an interfaith ceremony. She is simply the best. We met with her last year because we cared very much about blending our two faiths into the ceremony; Jo guided us to a ceremony that felt authentic and wholeheartedly blended. She always provided suggestions but was also so open to ideas and thoughts we had as well. She ran a wonderful rehearsal with our families to help get the nerves out, and the day of went as smooth as could be! We got an overwhelming amount of compliments on our ceremony due to Jo's professionalism, authenticity, and overall charm and talent. We would highly recommend her for anyone! Lots of love, Blake and Suz
• Zac F. Sent on 01/14/2021
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  New Years Eve Elopement Ceremony

  We contacted Joanna on very short notice to be the officiant for our NYE elopement. She was extremely professional and helpful, and made the experience truly special for us. Thank you!!

  We contacted Joanna on very short notice to be the officiant for our NYE elopement. She was extremely professional and helpful, and made the experience truly special for us. Thank you!!
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• Erika T. Sent on 08/16/2020
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  A wonderful, life-affirming experience & ceremony!

  Joanna saved our wedding from COVID! She will work with you to make something beautiful and memorable during this time!
  
  Back in January we hired Joanna to officiate our May 30th wedding – she seemed like the perfect choice to help us realize our vision of a small intimate ceremony with immediate family members. When COVID-19 hit, we considered postponing but decided we wanted to celebrate our love and commitment despite the challenges. Joanna supported us 100% of the way and made us feel comfortable with and excited about our decision. She worked with us collaboratively with grace and compassion to plan an event that felt unique and special – and that we’ll remember with joy for the rest of our lives! Joanna was open to many different possibilities, but we ended up deciding to have the wedding with Joanna in our living room and broadcasting it virtually to our family. In addition to making this amazing thing happen in a time that feels out of control, Joanna also made the thing itself so meaningful – taking the pieces of the ceremony we chose, as well as the pieces of our relationship we shared with her, and blending them together in a smooth, seamless way that made the ceremony itself flow naturally despite our considerable nerves. If you’re on the fence about a quarantine wedding, or not quite sure how it will or could work, we highly recommend Reverend Jo and her wedding-saving awesomeness!
  

  Joanna saved our wedding from COVID! She will work with you to make something beautiful and memorable during this time!
  
  Back in January we hired Joanna to officiate our May 30th wedding – she seemed like the perfect choice to help us realize our vision of a small intimate ceremony with immediate family members. When COVID-19 hit, we considered postponing but decided we wanted to celebrate our love and commitment despite the challenges. Joanna supported us 100% of the way and made us feel comfortable with and excited about our decision. She worked with us collaboratively with grace and compassion to plan an event that felt unique and special – and that we’ll remember with joy for the rest of our lives! Joanna was open to many different possibilities, but we ended up deciding to have the wedding with Joanna in our living room and broadcasting it virtually to our family. In addition to making this amazing thing happen in a time that feels out of control, Joanna also made the thing itself so meaningful – taking the pieces of the ceremony we chose, as well as the pieces of our relationship we shared with her, and blending them together in a smooth, seamless way that made the ceremony itself flow naturally despite our considerable nerves. If you’re on the fence about a quarantine wedding, or not quite sure how it will or could work, we highly recommend Reverend Jo and her wedding-saving awesomeness!
  
• Eli B. Sent on 08/25/2019
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  Great Officiant, Memorable Wedding Ceremony

  From our first meeting, Joanna was calm, approachable, and supportive of all our ideas and wishes for the ceremony. She helped us craft a small ceremony that showcased our devotion to each other, while also providing space for our family members to participate in the program. She was the perfect officiant for our wedding.

  From our first meeting, Joanna was calm, approachable, and supportive of all our ideas and wishes for the ceremony. She helped us craft a small ceremony that showcased our devotion to each other, while also providing space for our family members to participate in the program. She was the perfect officiant for our wedding.
• Alyssa M. Sent on 07/22/2019
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  A wonderful person and minister!

  We could not have had a better experience with Joanna as our wedding ceremony minister at the Arlington Street Church. She was tremendously thoughtful, supportive, and responsive throughout our planning process. She was a true pleasure to work with, and she helped us develop a ceremony that felt personal and meaningful to us. We recommend her very highly!

  We could not have had a better experience with Joanna as our wedding ceremony minister at the Arlington Street Church. She was tremendously thoughtful, supportive, and responsive throughout our planning process. She was a true pleasure to work with, and she helped us develop a ceremony that felt personal and meaningful to us. We recommend her very highly!
• Whitney T. Sent on 11/26/2018
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  Thoughtful, flexible, and creative

  Joanna did an incredible job officiating our wedding - she gave us lots of suggestions and worked with us over the phone, via Google Docs, and in person to create a unique and personalized ceremony. She was patient and supportive throughout the process and was very detail oriented and dedicated to crafting a meaningful experience not only with the actual ceremony but with the planning and rehearsal as well.

  Joanna did an incredible job officiating our wedding - she gave us lots of suggestions and worked with us over the phone, via Google Docs, and in person to create a unique and personalized ceremony. She was patient and supportive throughout the process and was very detail oriented and dedicated to crafting a meaningful experience not only with the actual ceremony but with the planning and rehearsal as well.
• Mark S. Sent on 11/26/2018
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  Jo is the best officiant ever!!

  Would highly recommend Jo for any ceremony. She had such a calming energy that helped us stay centered through all the chaos that led up to and continued through our wedding! She listened deeply as we shared tales of living together and what our relationship meant to each other, and designed a ceremony that really, truly felt like us. Jo is the perfect combination of professional and organized, mixed with fun and light-hearted. She'll never let forget how important your day is, while also never letting you take it TOO seriously.

  Would highly recommend Jo for any ceremony. She had such a calming energy that helped us stay centered through all the chaos that led up to and continued through our wedding! She listened deeply as we shared tales of living together and what our relationship meant to each other, and designed a ceremony that really, truly felt like us. Jo is the perfect combination of professional and organized, mixed with fun and light-hearted. She'll never let forget how important your day is, while also never letting you take it TOO seriously.
• Ben Sent on 08/17/2018
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  Full disclosure, Joanna and I have been very close friends for a very long time and it was never a question that I would ask her to officiate. But beyond the personal connection, I don't think she could have done a better job. Joanna worked with us closely to personalize our ceremony, making it possible for us to omit many of the traditional ceremony elements and basically build a personalized ceremony from scratch. She was well prepared in our meetings with lots of resources, including choices of beautiful texts for various parts of the ceremony. She did her research on the state laws to make sure the legal documents went smoothly for her first Georgia wedding. At the rehearsal, she had a specific plan that got the wedding party comfortable and confident about what we were doing. She was able to foresee small issues that we never would have thought of (like resisting the urge to turn and face her, which would have put our backs to the guests).
  
  But Joanna's experience showed the most during the ceremony itself. Her speaking voice was very clear, and she went at just the right pace so that we could take in the whole thing without it dragging on. She coordinated all of the narrative and physical elements of the ceremony smoothly, without any trace of a hitch. She was warm and celebratory, and the ceremony was sprinkled with her personality and humor. Joanna gave us exactly the wedding we wanted.
  
  My close friendship with Joanna made it truly special to have her officiate our wedding. But even if this wasn't a factor, based solely on what she did for us throughout the process and during the ceremony, we would have been lucky to have her perform the wedding. During the reception and since, the most common comment we've heard from guests was, "that ceremony was so beautiful." If you're getting married, I couldn't recommend Joanna any more strongly as the person to perform your ceremony.

  Full disclosure, Joanna and I have been very close friends for a very long time and it was never a question that I would ask her to officiate. But beyond the personal connection, I don't think she could have done a better job. Joanna worked with us closely to personalize our ceremony, making it possible for us to omit many of the traditional ceremony elements and basically build a personalized ceremony from scratch. She was well prepared in our meetings with lots of resources, including choices of beautiful texts for various parts of the ceremony. She did her research on the state laws to make sure the legal documents went smoothly for her first Georgia wedding. At the rehearsal, she had a specific plan that got the wedding party comfortable and confident about what we were doing. She was able to foresee small issues that we never would have thought of (like resisting the urge to turn and face her, which would have put our backs to the guests).
  
  But Joanna's experience showed the most during the ceremony itself. Her speaking voice was very clear, and she went at just the right pace so that we could take in the whole thing without it dragging on. She coordinated all of the narrative and physical elements of the ceremony smoothly, without any trace of a hitch. She was warm and celebratory, and the ceremony was sprinkled with her personality and humor. Joanna gave us exactly the wedding we wanted.
  
  My close friendship with Joanna made it truly special to have her officiate our wedding. But even if this wasn't a factor, based solely on what she did for us throughout the process and during the ceremony, we would have been lucky to have her perform the wedding. During the reception and since, the most common comment we've heard from guests was, "that ceremony was so beautiful." If you're getting married, I couldn't recommend Joanna any more strongly as the person to perform your ceremony.
• Marc Sent on 04/23/2018
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  We had a somewhat special wedding being just after us both running the 2018 (awful weather) marathon. Rev Joanna was so generous to spend time with us over Skype one week ahead of the wedding. Then we met the day prior to prepare everything for a perfect ceremony. She is well organized, on time, prepared, open minded, generous, etc. and will truly make you feel like you have known her for a long time. Thank you Rev. Joanna. Karine and Marc

  We had a somewhat special wedding being just after us both running the 2018 (awful weather) marathon. Rev Joanna was so generous to spend time with us over Skype one week ahead of the wedding. Then we met the day prior to prepare everything for a perfect ceremony. She is well organized, on time, prepared, open minded, generous, etc. and will truly make you feel like you have known her for a long time. Thank you Rev. Joanna. Karine and Marc
• Allegra Sent on 02/12/2017
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  We had a wonderful experience with Joanna! Choosing her as our officiant for our wedding at our Unitarian Universalist church was one of the best decisions we made in the wedding planning process. We are a queer couple, we're both Unitarian Universalist, one of us is also Jewish, and many of our loved ones have disabilities. Joanna not only respected, but understood and celebrated all parts of our identities. She helped us craft a ceremony that included the Unitarian Universalist and Jewish elements that were meaningful to us, and reflected our dedication to intersectional feminist politics. She struck just the right balance of giving us room to make it as personalized as we wanted while providing structure and suggestions. One of our moms even commented that she was excellent at lovingly but firmly directing our friends and family during the rehearsal! It was a beautiful ceremony, exactly what we wanted.

  We had a wonderful experience with Joanna! Choosing her as our officiant for our wedding at our Unitarian Universalist church was one of the best decisions we made in the wedding planning process. We are a queer couple, we're both Unitarian Universalist, one of us is also Jewish, and many of our loved ones have disabilities. Joanna not only respected, but understood and celebrated all parts of our identities. She helped us craft a ceremony that included the Unitarian Universalist and Jewish elements that were meaningful to us, and reflected our dedication to intersectional feminist politics. She struck just the right balance of giving us room to make it as personalized as we wanted while providing structure and suggestions. One of our moms even commented that she was excellent at lovingly but firmly directing our friends and family during the rehearsal! It was a beautiful ceremony, exactly what we wanted.
• Zohar K. Sent on 02/20/2017
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  Working with Rev. Joanna is the second-best decision you could make for your wedding (after marrying your beloved, lol)!
  
  From the preparation sessions leading up to the wedding to the big day itself, we were truly blessed by her presence, her loving humor, her naturally calm demeanor with us and our family, and the sacred space she created for us.
  
  As an interfaith, multicultural couple, it was very important for us to create shall we say a "nontraditional" ceremony... and Rev. Joanna led us toward our goal with enthusiasm, wisdom, and grace! She brought us through a beautiful process to bring together traditions from our various root faiths, as well as other practices we loved, in order to inspire the most perfect and authentic wedding ceremony for us together.
  
  It was a easeful and fun experience in each moment, and we are so grateful when we look back at the fond memories of this this time with Rev. Joanna. She was truly pivotal in helping to create a day that was all about love, family, and lifelong commitment to be cherished.

  Working with Rev. Joanna is the second-best decision you could make for your wedding (after marrying your beloved, lol)!
  
  From the preparation sessions leading up to the wedding to the big day itself, we were truly blessed by her presence, her loving humor, her naturally calm demeanor with us and our family, and the sacred space she created for us.
  
  As an interfaith, multicultural couple, it was very important for us to create shall we say a "nontraditional" ceremony... and Rev. Joanna led us toward our goal with enthusiasm, wisdom, and grace! She brought us through a beautiful process to bring together traditions from our various root faiths, as well as other practices we loved, in order to inspire the most perfect and authentic wedding ceremony for us together.
  
  It was a easeful and fun experience in each moment, and we are so grateful when we look back at the fond memories of this this time with Rev. Joanna. She was truly pivotal in helping to create a day that was all about love, family, and lifelong commitment to be cherished.
• Daniel Sent on 02/19/2017
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  When my now-wife Iris and I were looking for someone to officiate our wedding, we were a little unsure where to look. I grew up Jewish, still an important part of my culture but not really my belief system any more, while Iris is a mix of Buddhist and Pagan, and we both feel strongly about nature. I asked Joanna, whom I knew through choir, and she was the perfect person to help us blend all those influences into a unique wedding that really reflected us both as a couple and as individuals.
  
  Prior to the wedding, Joanna knew me distantly and Iris barely at all, but she took the time to get to know us together and listen to our stories. She knew how to guide us when we weren't sure what we wanted the ceremony to look like, without taking over the process or fitting it into a preconceived mold. She was knowledgable about a variety of wedding traditions, but flexible when some really spoke to us and others didn't. She helped us to organize and keep track of all the little things that needed to be handled to make it all come together. We were so pleased with everything, when it finally came time for our wedding on Mount Greylock.
  
  Especially if your style is very unusual, Joanna will help you bring it all together into a ceremony that reflects you. Joanna has our highest recommendation.

  When my now-wife Iris and I were looking for someone to officiate our wedding, we were a little unsure where to look. I grew up Jewish, still an important part of my culture but not really my belief system any more, while Iris is a mix of Buddhist and Pagan, and we both feel strongly about nature. I asked Joanna, whom I knew through choir, and she was the perfect person to help us blend all those influences into a unique wedding that really reflected us both as a couple and as individuals.
  
  Prior to the wedding, Joanna knew me distantly and Iris barely at all, but she took the time to get to know us together and listen to our stories. She knew how to guide us when we weren't sure what we wanted the ceremony to look like, without taking over the process or fitting it into a preconceived mold. She was knowledgable about a variety of wedding traditions, but flexible when some really spoke to us and others didn't. She helped us to organize and keep track of all the little things that needed to be handled to make it all come together. We were so pleased with everything, when it finally came time for our wedding on Mount Greylock.
  
  Especially if your style is very unusual, Joanna will help you bring it all together into a ceremony that reflects you. Joanna has our highest recommendation.
• Julia Sent on 02/11/2017
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  Joanna was a great deal of help in organizing our wedding. My husband and I had planned on going to a justice of the peace, until he decided last minute that he wanted to be surrounded by friends and get hugs while we got married. I called Joanna who helped us write our vows and guide us through a Jewish/Hindu living room wedding that was planned in a week by a very disorganized couple. Thank you Joanna!

  Joanna was a great deal of help in organizing our wedding. My husband and I had planned on going to a justice of the peace, until he decided last minute that he wanted to be surrounded by friends and get hugs while we got married. I called Joanna who helped us write our vows and guide us through a Jewish/Hindu living room wedding that was planned in a week by a very disorganized couple. Thank you Joanna!