Rev. Jill Dillner is an officiant in New Jersey who also does destination weddings. If a couple elopes in NJ, she is even up for traveling back to their home state to perform their real ceremony!
Tell us a little bit about your business!
I perform weddings, funerals and baptisms/naming ceremonies. I also oversee other Rites of Passage like Coming of Age ceremonies, Belly Blessings for pregnant moms, Grandmothering Rituals and Cronings. I think everyone should celebrate the transitions in life. These are times when life has the most meaning and very few people really celebrate them. I am a very irreverent reverend, I like to have fun.
How did you get into doing what you do?
I felt there weren’t enough clergy who were willing to help people with their spirituality versus their religion. To many churches tell you how to live your life, instead of supporting you as you live your life. I believe we are all heading to the same place, just on different paths to get there. People need clergy to stand by them and be with them at times of transition. Sometimes transition is sad and scary, sometimes is joyful and beautiful, either way, people of God should be ready to assist, not sermonize.
If you have worked at/done work for a gay wedding, what is one thing you had to change your assumptions about?
I had to stop assuming everyone was comfortable with gay weddings. I have been exposed to vendors that will work a gay wedding for the business, but are not really gay-friendly. Other than that, I feel they are really the same as non-gay weddings.
Do you have a favorite “moment” that happens while you’re doing your job?
I love when the couple says I do and recite their vows. It is my favorite part of a wedding ceremony.
Rave and picture time!
“I want to say thank you so much for the amazing job you did at our ceremony. You made a special day even better. Your words, delivery and humor were exactly what we wanted. For the rest of the evening our guests were commenting on how beautiful the ceremony was. You really figured us out and performed a ceremony that we will never, ever forget. I can tell you that many of our friends and family will be passing along your name to other couples who are getting married and it would be our pleasure to be a reference if you ever needed one. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making our day even more special.” – Kristal M. & April O.
