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Are you looking for a wedding officiant to help you create a memorable, stress-free, and affordable wedding ceremony? Then look no further than right here.

Mike Beato is a wedding officiant based in Buffalo, NY. He's a registered non-denominational minister.

Whether you want a simple, traditional, or completely custom ceremony, Mike is here to make it happen. With him, it’s always “Your wedding, your way!”

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Maybe you don’t want, can’t have, or can’t afford a traditional church wedding, but you still need someone to legally officiate your ceremony.

That’s where I can help.

I'm a non-denominational wedding officiant based in Buffalo, New York, and I'll travel anywhere for your wedding. Whether you want something traditional, secular, or anything in between, I'll work with you to create a ceremony that feels right for both of you.

I’d love to talk with you if you’re looking for a traditional, religious, spiritual, secular, unconventional, or LGBTQ wedding ceremony!

More about why I became a wedding officiant.

Mike Beato - Wedding Officiant

MIKE BEATO

Wedding Officiant

KIND WORDS

Wedding Ceremony Reviews

I’m grateful for the kind words couples have shared about their wedding ceremonies, and I’m honored to be part of their stories.

Jackie & Mark
Mike, you did a great job officiating our ceremony! You took every detail we told you about our relationship and how we met and made it into a beautiful story of how we fell in love. We felt very comfortable with you and we appreciate everything !! Thanks again!
Jackie & Mark
Mike, you did a great job officiating our ceremony! You took every detail we told you about our relationship and how we met and made it into a beautiful story of how we fell in love. We felt very comfortable with you and we appreciate everything !! Thanks again!
Jackie & Mark
Jackie & Mark
Chandler & Francesco
Mike did such an amazing job for our wedding! He was responsive and flexible throughout the process and did a wonderful job crafting the ceremony so that it did not sound generic, but truly captured us as a couple. We really appreciate the thought and attention to detail Mike put into making our ceremony so special. We'd highly recommend Mike to anyone!
Chandler & Francesco
Mike did such an amazing job for our wedding! He was responsive and flexible throughout the process and did a wonderful job crafting the ceremony so that it did not sound generic, but truly captured us as a couple. We really appreciate the thought and attention to detail Mike put into making our ceremony so special. We'd highly recommend Mike to anyone!
Chandler & Francesco
Chandler & Francesco
Megan & Alex
“We couldn’t have asked for a better officiant than Mike! From our first meeting, he made us feel at ease and took the time to know us as a couple. He helped us create a ceremony that was personal, meaningful, and true to our relationship. On the wedding day, his calm, warm presence and heartfelt words set the perfect tone. Mike was organized, professional, and guided us smoothly through the rehearsal and license process. If you want an officiant who truly cares, Mike is the one! ”
Megan & Alex
“We couldn’t have asked for a better officiant than Mike! From our first meeting, he made us feel at ease and took the time to know us as a couple. He helped us create a ceremony that was personal, meaningful, and true to our relationship. On the wedding day, his calm, warm presence and heartfelt words set the perfect tone. Mike was organized, professional, and guided us smoothly through the rehearsal and license process. If you want an officiant who truly cares, Mike is the one!”
Megan & Alex
Megan & Alex
Emily & Jeffrey
“Mike did a wonderful job officiating our wedding! We had a simple, low-key ceremony, but he still took the time to get to know us and personalize his script. It made the wedding really special. His words were so moving! He’s also super nice and very professional. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”
Emily & Jeffrey
“Mike did a wonderful job officiating our wedding! We had a simple, low-key ceremony, but he still took the time to get to know us and personalize his script. It made the wedding really special. His words were so moving! He’s also super nice and very professional. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”
Emily & Jeffrey
Emily & Jeffrey
Erin & Nick

“Mike was great! He met with us multiple times before the wedding to get to know us and to gather details about our relationship to add to his script. He sent us a full copy of his ceremony script and allowed us to make changes as needed. He was a calming presence on wedding day.”

Highly recommend!

Erin & Nick

“Mike was great! He met with us multiple times before the wedding to get to know us and to gather details about our relationship to add to his script. He sent us a full copy of his ceremony script and allowed us to make changes as needed. He was a calming presence on wedding day.”

Highly recommend!

Erin & Nick
Erin & Nick
Jenna & Ryan
“Mike was absolutely phenomenal – from the second we saw his website and spoke with him for the first time via Zoom, we knew we needed to pick him to officiate our wedding. You can tell he genuinely wants to be doing this. The ceremony he put together was so heartfelt and thoughtful, and I could tell he really understood us as a couple. You would’ve thought he knew us his entire life. He also made the process so easy and fun, and helped us with all the legal logistics we definitely would have bungled. Don’t bother looking any further than Mike! ”
Jenna & Ryan
“Mike was absolutely phenomenal – from the second we saw his website and spoke with him for the first time via Zoom, we knew we needed to pick him to officiate our wedding. You can tell he genuinely wants to be doing this. The ceremony he put together was so heartfelt and thoughtful, and I could tell he really understood us as a couple. You would’ve thought he knew us his entire life. He also made the process so easy and fun, and helped us with all the legal logistics we definitely would have bungled. Don’t bother looking any further than Mike!”
Jenna & Ryan
Jenna & Ryan
Katie & Pat
“We couldn’t have asked for a better officiant than Mike! From the very beginning, he was warm, professional, and completely in tune with what we envisioned for our ceremony. He took the time to get to know us as a couple and crafted a ceremony that felt personal, meaningful, and perfectly us. Mike was incredibly easy to work with —responsive, flexible, and open to all of our ideas. On the day of the wedding, he brought a calming presence, delivered the ceremony beautifully, and made the whole moment feel effortless and special. We received so many compliments from our guests about how heartfelt and genuine the ceremony felt, and that’s all thanks to Mike. We’re so grateful for everything he did to make our day unforgettable. Highly, highly recommend! ”
Katie & Patrick
“We couldn’t have asked for a better officiant than Mike! From the very beginning, he was warm, professional, and completely in tune with what we envisioned for our ceremony. He took the time to get to know us as a couple and crafted a ceremony that felt personal, meaningful, and perfectly us. Mike was incredibly easy to work with—responsive, flexible, and open to all of our ideas. On the day of the wedding, he brought a calming presence, delivered the ceremony beautifully, and made the whole moment feel effortless and special. We received so many compliments from our guests about how heartfelt and genuine the ceremony felt, and that’s all thanks to Mike. We’re so grateful for everything he did to make our day unforgettable. Highly, highly recommend!”
Katie & Pat
Katie & Patrick
Alice & Elliot
Mike did an amazing job at our wedding ceremony. He took the time to find out details about me and my husband, & our son, to make our vows perfect. He wrote the most beautiful vows for us. I would highly recommend Mike to be your wedding officiant. He is kind, thoughtful, calm, and experienced in his work.
Alice & Elliot
Mike did an amazing job at our wedding ceremony. He took the time to find out details about me and my husband, & our son, to make our vows perfect. He wrote the most beautiful vows for us. I would highly recommend Mike to be your wedding officiant. He is kind, thoughtful, calm, and experienced in his work.
Alice & Elliot
Alice & Elliot
Julia & Matt
“We absolutely loved having Mike officiate our ceremony – so much so, that we can’t imagine anyone better for the job. He not only made our ceremony feel so genuine and thoughtful, but we really felt like he really understood our dynamic as a couple, which came through in the words he wrote as part of our intimate cottage ceremony. Our wedding day was the most loving day of our lives, and Mike’s warm words and kind spirit truly added to that aura. We would recommend him, with confetti hearts, to anyone looking for an officiant.”
Julia & Matt
“We absolutely loved having Mike officiate our ceremony – so much so, that we can’t imagine anyone better for the job. He not only made our ceremony feel so genuine and thoughtful, but we really felt like he really understood our dynamic as a couple, which came through in the words he wrote as part of our intimate cottage ceremony. Our wedding day was the most loving day of our lives, and Mike’s warm words and kind spirit truly added to that aura. We would recommend him, with confetti hearts, to anyone looking for an officiant.”
Julia & Matt
Julia & Matt
Kim & Mike
“Thank you, Mike! It was our absolute pleasure to have you as a part of our day. You did such an incredible job and everyone, especially us, was touched by your kind words and the sweetness of the ceremony … Thank you so much for making our day so absolutely dreamy and perfect.” 💕
Kim & Mike
“Thank you, Mike! It was our absolute pleasure to have you as a part of our day. You did such an incredible job and everyone, especially us, was touched by your kind words and the sweetness of the ceremony… Thank you so much for making our day so absolutely dreamy and perfect.”  💕
Kim & Mike
Kim & Mike
Kellie & Brad
“Mike, we cannot thank you enough for all you did to help us prepare for wedding and provide a lovely service. So many people have told me how personal and intimate the ceremony felt, and we could not agree more. In addition, thank you for sharing so many lovely photos. You really made our day all the more special and we are forever grateful! ”
Kellie & Brad
“Mike, we cannot thank you enough for all you did to help us prepare for wedding and provide a lovely service. So many people have told me how personal and intimate the ceremony felt, and we could not agree more. In addition, thank you for sharing so many lovely photos. You really made our day all the more special and we are forever grateful!”
Kellie & Brad
Kellie & Brad
Jessica & TJ
“Mike, it was wonderful working with you! All family members were very impressed and I’m sure referrals will come your way! Thank you for those little details and personal touch. You did great! It helped make the day! ”
Jessica & TJ
“Mike, it was wonderful working with you! All family members were very impressed and I’m sure referrals will come your way! Thank you for those little details and personal touch. You did great! It helped make the day!”
Jessica & TJ
Jessica & TJ
Sarina & Nolan
“We were so happy and blessed to have Mike play such an important part of our special day. The effort that he put in during time leading up to wedding day to get to know the two of us meant so much and truly made the ceremony better than we could’ve ever hoped for.”
Sarina & Nolan
“We were so happy and blessed to have Mike play such an important part of our special day. The effort that he put in during time leading up to wedding day to get to know the two of us meant so much and truly made the ceremony better than we could’ve ever hoped for.”
Sarina & Nolan
Sarina & Nolan
Tina & Carm

“I was blown away by the ceremony. I guess I just thought it was not going to be as beautiful as it was! I told everyone what an amazing job you did. 👏👏 Hope to see you soon.

Thank you so much for making this so easy! ”

Tina & Carm

“I was blown away by the ceremony. I guess I just thought it was not going to be as beautiful as it was! I told everyone what an amazing job you did. 👏👏  Hope to see you soon.

Thank you so much for making this so easy!”

Tina & Carm
Tina & Carm
Megan & Ronald
“Thank you for being the best officiant we could have asked for! (Even in the hurricane 🤣) Thank you again for being a part of our special day! ”
Megan & Ronald
“Thank you for being the best officiant we could have asked for! (Even in the hurricane 🤣) Thank you again for being a part of our special day!”
Megan & Ronald
Megan & Ronald
Andrea & Michael
“Mike took his time sitting down with us as a couple to gather some inside jokes and the history of our relationship and made a very private ceremony feel regal and special . We cannot recommend a more special person to share one of the most important days of your lives.”
Andrea & Michael
“Mike took his time sitting down with us as a couple to gather some inside jokes and the history of our relationship and made a very private ceremony feel regal and special. We cannot recommend a more special person to share one of the most important days of your lives.”
Andrea & Michael
Andrea & Michael
Nancy & Bobby
“Mike’s been a friend for 30+ years, and we were so excited to hear he’d become ordained. He was the perfect person to perform our wedding! He was organized, he did his homework (asking us in detail what we wanted, didn’t want, etc.) and he made our small, outdoor ceremony intimate, personal and perfect.”
Nancy & Bobby
“Mike’s been a friend for 30+ years, and we were so excited to hear he’d become ordained. He was the perfect person to perform our wedding! He was organized, he did his homework (asking us in detail what we wanted, didn’t want, etc.) and he made our small, outdoor ceremony intimate, personal and perfect.”
Nancy & Bobby
Nancy & Bobby
Peggy & Brian
“My wife and I were searching for a celebrant to perform our wedding recently when a mutual friend mentioned that Mike Beato was recently ordained. We arranged to meet with Mike and realized from that initial introduction, Mike was the person we wanted to perform our intimate outdoor wedding ceremony. When we met, Mike asked pertinent questions, took notes, listened to our desires and offered suggestions. On our wedding day Mike was the utmost professional. He was fully prepared and dignified. Mike was simply the best! We highly recommend Mike as a Professional Wedding Celebrant.”
Peggy & Brian
“My wife and I were searching for a celebrant to perform our wedding recently when a mutual friend mentioned that Mike Beato was recently ordained. We arranged to meet with Mike and realized from that initial introduction, Mike was the person we wanted to perform our intimate outdoor wedding ceremony. When we met, Mike asked pertinent questions, took notes, listened to our desires and offered suggestions. On our wedding day Mike was the utmost professional. He was fully prepared and dignified. Mike was simply the best! We highly recommend Mike as a Professional Wedding Celebrant.”
Peggy & Brian
Peggy & Brian

Getting Married

Wedding rings

Marriage is for everyone in love, as it should be.

Loving couples come from different backgrounds and faiths – or sometimes no faith at all. My personal wedding ceremonies are designed to be respectful to all.  I am happy to work with you to create a personal, caring ceremony that meets your own specific desires.

Unfortunately, some religious institutions have arbitrary rules about who they will and will not marry, and even where they’re willing to perform a wedding ceremony. I welcome diversity and loving creativity in weddings. I believe:

  • The lack of church membership or religious affiliation should not be a barrier to getting married.
  • It doesn’t matter if one or both individuals are divorced and their marriage was not annulled.
  • Blending different faith traditions can be a wonderful way to build a life together.
  • Indoor, outdoor, and themed weddings can be beautiful. The only restriction is your own imagination.
  • You should marry who you love. I fully support marriage equality and embrace same-sex weddings.

New York State Marriage License Information

MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Respect for Marriage Act

The Respect for Marriage Act (H.R. 8404) was signed into law by President Joe Biden on December 13, 2022.

This is wonderful news for same-sex couples! Please let me know if you'd like to discuss scheduling a same-sex wedding.

Wedding Services

The Ceremony

My ceremonies are relaxed, personal, and customized to a couple's requests. I offer these ceremony options:

  • Christian (includes scripture and prayers): For couples wanting a ceremony rooted in Christian traditions.
  • Interfaith: Blends elements from two religious backgrounds, appropriate when each partner has a different faith.
  • Spiritual: Focuses on general spirituality without aligning to any specific faith.
  • Non-Denominational (mentions God): References God but isn’t tied to a single religious tradition—often chosen by couples wanting a general faith element.
  • Non-religious: Does not mention God or spiritual language—common for secular or civil ceremonies.
  • Traditional: Usually refers to the classic sequence and structure (processional, vows, rings, etc.), and can be religious or secular depending on interpretation.
  • Same-Sex: LGBTQ+ Inclusive: Specifies that the ceremony is affirming of LGBTQ+ couples, though most types above can be adapted for any couple.
  • Simple/Short and Sweet: For those preferring a minimal, quick ceremony—often overlaps with civil or non-religious formats.
  • Vow Renewal: Specifically for couples reaffirming their commitment after years of marriage.
  • Commitment Ceremony: Like a wedding, but without legal marriage—chosen by some LGBTQ+ couples or those who can’t/choose not to marry legally.

Write Vows You’ll Treasure

Dreaming of vows that truly reflect your unique love story? This step-by-step guide makes writing your own wedding vows an approachable and even enjoyable journey. Discover how to brainstorm, structure, and deliver heartfelt promises that will make your ceremony unforgettable.

The Venue

Discover unique wedding venues in Western New York where I’ve had the honor to officiate. Explore an interactive map featuring everything from intimate gardens to grand halls, perfect for your special day.

Ready to get started?

If you’re ready to plan your wedding, please fill out this questionnaire so that we can create a truly memorable wedding ceremony for you!

For destination weddings, there’s a growing trend for couples to have a simple wedding ceremony before the trip to eliminate complications and legal issues with remote locales or countries. If this is something you’re planning, I would happily officiate your wedding before your travels begin.

Wedding Questionnaire 

PLAIN AND SIMPLE

Pricing

Classic Wedding Ceremony

Priced at $300, this package offers a dignified and timeless ceremony experience. It includes a professionally crafted script featuring traditional vows and readings if desired. Ideal for couples seeking a straightforward yet elegant ceremony. This option delivers a tasteful and memorable event without requiring extensive customization.

Tailored Wedding Ceremony

With pricing starting above $300, this premium package provides a highly personalized and unforgettable experience. In addition to a customized script, this package offers a range of exclusive options not included in the Classic Elegance Package. These may include travel expenses, custom rituals, Unity candle, etc. Let's talk!

PAY WITH VENMO

Fees for wedding services are donated to local charitable causes.

LET'S TALK

Contact

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions.
If you're interested in my availability for a specific date, please include the date, time, and location of your wedding.

If you're ready to book my wedding officating services, please fill out this questionnaire.