Non-Religious Wedding Ceremony in Wisconsin
No scripture, no obligations, no cookie-cutter templates. A secular wedding celebrant in Milwaukee who creates ceremonies that actually reflect who you are as a couple.
What Is a Non-Religious Wedding Ceremony?
A non-religious ceremony is a wedding that doesn't include prayers, scripture, or references to any specific faith. Some people call it secular, non-denominational, or civil. Whatever you call it, the idea is the same: your ceremony is built around your relationship, your values, and what matters to you.
That doesn't mean it can't be meaningful, emotional, or even spiritual. It just means nobody's telling you what to believe or which traditions to follow. You get to decide every piece of it.
As a non-religious wedding officiant in Wisconsin, Schwa Potter has performed over 300 ceremonies for couples of every background. Some want something short and sweet. Others want a 20-minute love story with handfasting, personal vows, and a unity ceremony. Both are great. It's your wedding. Do it however you want.
What Is Included in a Non-Religious Ceremony?
Welcome & Opening
A warm welcome that sets the tone, honors your guests, and brings everyone into the moment together.
Your Love Story
In a Signature Ceremony, Schwa tells the story of how the couple met, what they've built together, and why their relationship works. Guests will laugh and cry.
Vows & Ring Exchange
Write your own, use Schwa's, or skip them entirely. Declaration of Intent, personal vows, ring exchange. Your call on all of it.
Unity Ceremony
Handfasting, sand ceremony, candle lighting, wine box, or something you invent. Completely optional, always meaningful when it resonates.
Pronouncement
The moment everyone's been waiting for. A blessing, the legal pronouncement, and the kiss. Then the party starts.
All the Paperwork
Marriage license guidance before the wedding. Signed and filed with the county within 3 days after. You don't have to think about any of it.
Who Chooses a Non-Religious Ceremony?
Couples who aren't religious and don't want prayers or scripture in their ceremony. Straightforward.
Couples who want to flip tradition and create something that actually feels like them instead of following a script written for someone else.
Interfaith couples who come from different religious backgrounds and want a ceremony that honors both without committing to either.
LGBTQ+ couples who want an officiant who celebrates them fully. Every ceremony Schwa performs is built around who the couple is. Period.
Anyone who's sat through a boring wedding and thought "I want something better." You deserve a ceremony with laughter, tears, and all the feels.
What Are Your Non-Religious Ceremony Options?
Both are non-religious. Both are legal. Both are performed by a professional with 300+ ceremonies and Broadway training. Pick what fits.
Quickie Ceremony
5-7 minutes
Not available Saturdays after 1pm
- ✓ Short, heartfelt nonreligious ceremony
- ✓ Option to add your own vows
- ✓ Marriage license guidance
- ✓ Script review before your wedding
- ✓ Performed at your chosen location
- ✓ Paperwork filed within 3 days
- ✓ Same-day available with valid license
Signature Ceremony
15-25 minutes
- ✓ Fully custom ceremony from scratch
- ✓ Individual interviews with each partner
- ✓ Your love story woven throughout
- ✓ Unity ceremony options
- ✓ Unlimited script edits until perfect
- ✓ Cultural traditions from any background
- ✓ Statewide + destination weddings
Rehearsal attendance available for +$150. Travel fee: $1/mile over 30 miles from Milwaukee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I include spiritual elements without a religious ceremony?
Absolutely. Many couples want meaningful rituals like handfasting, candle lighting, or a moment of gratitude without tying it to any specific religion. Schwa incorporates spiritual elements that resonate with each couple personally, without scripture or religious obligation.
Do you officiate LGBTQ+ weddings?
Yes, always. Schwa has officiated weddings for couples of all orientations and gender identities since 2015. Every ceremony is built around who the couple is. Period.
How personalized is a non-religious ceremony?
With a Signature Ceremony, every word is written from scratch based on your love story. Schwa interviews each partner individually, then crafts a ceremony that couldn't work for anybody else. With a Quickie Ceremony, you get a short, heartfelt nonreligious ceremony with the option to add personal vows.
Do we need witnesses?
Yes. Wisconsin law requires two witnesses over 18, regardless of ceremony type. They sign the marriage license along with you and the officiant. Friends, family, even friendly strangers will do.
Can we have the ceremony outside?
Yes. Non-religious ceremonies can happen anywhere: parks, backyards, rooftops, beaches, barns, restaurants, or your living room. No church or venue required. Schwa performs ceremonies at any location throughout Wisconsin.
How far in advance should we book?
Couples book anywhere from one week to one year in advance. Last-minute bookings are welcome if the calendar allows. For a Quickie Ceremony, same-day service is available if you already have your marriage license.
What Couples Say
"Words can't describe how incredible our ceremony was! Many weddings are somber and traditional but we wanted a wedding filled with laughter and humor and we got exactly what we wanted. Thank you for making our day so incredibly memorable!"
Tyler McMahon
"He was absolutely PHENOMENAL! He took the utmost care in making our ceremony feel original and special by getting to know us and truly putting thought and care into it all. The details he added in on top of the small improvisations here and there to really make it unique was the cherry on top of a perfect ceremony."
Thomas Erhardt
Who Is Schwa Potter?
Schwa Potter is a Wisconsin wedding officiant and former professional actor with a background you won't find anywhere else: Broadway's Mary Poppins, 30+ years on stage, and over 300 wedding ceremonies since 2015. That training means Schwa knows how to tell a story, hold a room, and make every moment land.
Schwa specializes in non-religious, LGBTQ+, and interfaith ceremonies. The approach is simple: every ceremony should reflect the couple's relationship, humor, and values. Schwa interviews each partner, learns their story, and writes something that couldn't work for any other couple.
Whether it's a 5-minute elopement at a Milwaukee park or a full destination wedding across the state, Schwa brings the same energy: warm, present, and completely focused on the couple.
