MEET BONNIE

AM I THE RIGHT OFFICIANT FOR YOU?

As an Ordained Minister serving the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill area, I feel truly honored to walk alongside each couple through one of the most meaningful moments of their lives. Every ceremony I craft is heartfelt, personal, and uniquely yours—never pulled from a script or template. Your love story is one of a kind, and your ceremony should be, too. I believe in creating a warm, genuine connection with each couple because that bond is the foundation for a ceremony that feels authentic, memorable, and deeply personal.

To make sure we’re the right fit, we’ll connect in whatever way works best for you—whether that’s a phone call, FaceTime/WhatsApp video call, an in-person meeting, or email. This is one of the most meaningful days of your life, so it’s important that you feel completely comfortable with the person guiding you through it.

I have the utmost respect for my fellow Officiants in the area—each of us brings a unique style to the ceremonies we create. We support one another and genuinely want the best for you. We encourage you to take your time in finding the person who feels right to stand with you on your wedding day. This isn’t a competition to “win your business”; it’s about finding the best fit for you. After all, this is YOUR day, and it should be everything you’ve dreamed of.

MY WEDDING OFFICIANT RESUME

Since July 2014, I’ve had the honor of performing nearly 2,000 ceremonies. In that time, I’ve met incredible couples from all around the world and officiated in hundreds of unique and unforgettable locations.

Along the way, I’ve been featured four times in The New York Times, appeared in several online magazines, featured many times with Marry Me Tampa Bay, and gathered a lifetime’s worth of stories—each one special, heartfelt, and memorable.

Below is just a glimpse into the wide variety of experiences I’ve been privileged to be a part of!

Ceremonies of Every Shape and Size:

Intimate or Grand – Always Personal: I’ve had the privilege of performing romantic ceremonies for as few as two people and as many as 500+ guests, with bridal parties as large as 40.
Surreal Wedding Moments: (three years running): I was asked to perform 90-second to 5-minute ceremonies in front of 40,000 fans at the USA Sevens Rugby Tournament in Las Vegas—televised to 200 countries from the Sam Boyd Stage.

Special Moments of Connection:

Heartfelt and Meaningful: I’ve had the honor of officiating weddings for couples facing difficult circumstances, including those where the bride, groom, or a family member was terminally ill or in hospice care.
Celebrity and High-Profile Weddings: I’ve also had the privilege of serving private weddings for celebrities, professional athletes, political figures, and well-known musicians.

Cultural and Unique Ceremonies:

Embracing Diversity: I’ve officiated several ceremonies entirely in Spanish (and for the record, I’m not bilingual!) and worked with international couples who don’t speak English, ensuring that every ceremony is as personal and meaningful as possible.
Interfaith Ceremonies: I’ve had the honor of co-presenting weddings alongside a variety of faith leaders, including Rabbis, Priests, and Shamans, often with the help of translators, to honor and blend diverse traditions.
Unity Traditions and Rituals: Unity Traditions and Rituals: I’ve performed and created hundreds of cultural, religious, and creative unity traditions and rituals, whether they’re traditional or unconventional. By default, I’ve become known as the “Viking Queen” for my experience and deep appreciation of performing Nordic-style ceremonies.
Embracing the Unexpected and Unusual: I’ve maintained composure while brides and grooms laughed, cried, snorted, sneezed, or even vomited during their vows (because, yes, that happens!).
The Unexpected at the Altar: I’ve witnessed brides, grooms, and even bridal party members faint at the altar (and yes, that happens too!).
Unconventional Unions: My curiosity has led me to officiate “alternative lifestyle” unions (naturalists and BDSM!). When public speaking experts advise you to visualize your audience naked… DON’T. Trust me, you cannot unsee that.

A Global Celebration of Love:

From Coast to Coast: I’ve performed weddings across the country—from Las Vegas, NV to Palm Springs, CA, and Memphis, TN, to various locations throughout Florida, and now the beautiful Research Triangle of North Carolina.

Unforgettable Venues:

In the air, on the ground, underground, in the water, and beyond. I’ve officiated weddings in hot air balloons, airplanes (the couple kissed and jumped out!), trains, historic mansions, rustic barns, chapels, churches, backyards, piers, gondolas, beaches, boats, yachts, fancy golf and country clubs, mountaintops, a pod on the High Roller, swanky hotel suites, state parks, museums, wineries, apartment balconies, bathroom stalls, rooftops, jail and prison, hospital rooms, professional baseball diamonds (right before gametime), and of course, the iconic stage at the Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.

MY COMMITMENT TO YOU…

I take great pride in my role and responsibilities as a Wedding Officiant—it’s a calling that I am truly passionate about. My goal is to ensure that the two of you and your guests enjoy a ceremony experience unlike any other…heartfelt, emotional, and unforgettable (for all the right reasons!).

As we share those special moments at the altar, we’ll take time to reflect on your journey as a couple—how your relationship has grown and brought everyone together to celebrate your love. As someone who deeply values family, I promise to create a ceremony that keeps your guests engaged and connected from start to finish.

I’m truly excited to hear your story and begin working together to create a ceremony that’s a perfect reflection of the two of you.

ROMANTIC FUN FACT: The average couple spends 528 hours planning their wedding… but only about 5 seconds are spent on the kiss. Weddings by Bonnie expects that you will perfect your technique and make every second count. That kiss needs to be as flawless as your floral arrangements!

A Little About Me…

Born and raised in Western Canada, I am very proud of my Canadian roots. However, as much as I love Canada…I don’t love the brutally cold winters. I was determined to figure out a way to live in a warmer climate – and I made it happen.

Since I was a young girl, my personal philosophy has always been: ‘Never live a life of regrets.’ Following my heart has led me to some of the most adventurous, exciting, and wonderfully untraditional experiences life has to offer.

Some of my most memorable adventures began early—when I earned my “wings” as a glider pilot at age 16. By 18, I was a licensed private pilot. At 19, I went skydiving… at that point, I decided it was time to learn how to drive a car.

My love for travel led me into the industry for many years. I worked as a flight attendant, in airline reservations, as a travel agent, and supervisor at a well-known internet travel & tour company. I also spent two fun-filled years working aboard cruise ships…just call me “Love Boat Bonnie!” I LOVE to travel.

In 1994, I was very blessed to obtain U.S. residency – and I headed straight for the desert, settling in Las Vegas, where I lived for 25 years. After 9/11, when the travel industry became increasingly unstable, I transitioned into public service. I spent many years in Human Resources roles for both Fire and Police departments—work that deepened my respect and admiration for our military and first responders.

It was in the ‘Wedding Capital of the World’ that I first became a Wedding Officiant. Serving weddings in Vegas was exhilarating! I met couples from around the world – many of whom I am still friends with today, and plan to visit in their home countries.

In 2017, life circumstances brought the Sanchez family to Florida’s beautiful southwest Gulf Coast. As you can imagine, officiating weddings there was an absolute dream…the beaches, the ocean, the tropical foliage, the stunning venues, and the incredible community of fellow vendors made every celebration truly unforgettable.

While living in Florida, I was inspired to write a children’s book about the life of our beloved fur-child and his early adventures as a young pup in Colombia, South America. Stay tuned for the release of Adventures with Yuki – Viva Colombia! The sequel, Adventures with Yuki – Viva Las Vegas, is already in the works!

In 2025, my two daughters encouraged me to join them in their beautiful city of Raleigh, North Carolina. To say I’m obsessed with this state would be an understatement. So, I traded in Florida’s beaches, traffic, heat, and hurricanes—for North Carolina’s natural beauty and historic charm.

There are no words to fully express the honor, love, and joy I feel each time I unite a couple in marriage. Being a Wedding Officiant is, without question, the most fulfilling and rewarding experience of my life—and I’m beyond excited to begin serving couples in North Carolina and neighboring states.