Meet Betsy: Your Officiant for Non-Religious Weddings in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and beyond.
Chrysalis Ceremonies evolved from my lifelong inclination to celebrate love as well as offer comfort, support, and compassion to folks embarking on a major life transition.
The very best part of this role for me is the opportunity to meet and connect intimately with people. I envision my role in these seasons of life as a holder of space or a touchstone. Many people take transitions with ease, while others may need a hand to hold, an ear to listen or a cheerleader to offer some kind, supportive words. Just like a Chrysalis, I offer a safe place in which to prepare for the next phase of your life to begin.
I genuinely value getting to know you as a couple and as individuals, listening to what you find important and then creating a ceremony with depth and meaning.
My style is natural, open-minded, authentic and inclusive. It may be that your values and perspective are spiritual, traditional, non-religious, interfaith, civil or secular — it’s my focus to respectfully represent one or several of these.
As a native Massachusetts girl, I grew up in the Merrimack Valley, graduated from Fitchburg State College (back when it was a college) and couldn’t imagine myself living anywhere else except for perhaps Northern California or New Zealand. Chuck and I have been married for 35 years. We have 2 AMAZING adult children, each with their own diverse, creative lives. As a young person I dreamt of being a wife and mother, both of which I take very seriously. I have been truly blessed, lucky and fortunately have chosen well. Love is always at the heart of where I leap from. I truly love love. There should always be time to celebrate the beauty and the gift of love.
Wedding Ceremonies
Your wedding day brings together everyone you love, and your ceremony is the heart of it all. Whether you’re planning a traditional ceremony, a non-religious celebration, or a blend of faiths and family customs, I’ll get to know you both and write a ceremony that tells your story.
Traditional, non-religious, spiritual or interfaith ceremonies
Anywhere from 20 to 200+ guests at venues, barns, ballrooms or backyards
Custom ceremony script written with you
Rehearsal available
Free consultation and marriage license filing included
Elopements & Micro Weddings
Sometimes the most meaningful moments are the quietest ones. An elopement or micro wedding lets you focus on each other, whether it’s just the two of you at sunset on a Cape Cod beach or a few close friends on a New Hampshire mountaintop. There’s less to plan and more room to be present.
Just the two of you, or up to 20 guests
Beaches, mountaintops, parks or your own backyard
Custom ceremony script written with you
Free consultation and marriage license filing included
Vow Renewal Ceremonies
A vow renewal celebrates everything you’ve built together: the years, the growth, the family, and the love that’s still going strong. It’s a chance to say “I do” again, knowing what those words truly mean now.
Milestone anniversaries, or any time you want to celebrate
Include your children, grandchildren or original wedding party
Option to add rituals such as a sand ceremony or unity candle
Free consultation included
Frequently Asked Question’s
-
While I consider the details of the day to be very important, my bigger focus is truly getting to know you and understand the dynamics of your desires for your day! The better I get to know you, the more confident I am in reflecting the love you share while I perform your ceremony.
-
From incorporating a special song to referencing an interest that you share, we will truly bring YOU into the ceremony I perform. I’m not afraid to go off the beaten path – for the ceremony, location, and the script – to make sure your day is as unique as you both. Love needs to be courageous and brave, and I am happy to go along with you on the path to your nuptials.
-
Yes, yes I do! I welcome every couple: LGBTQ+, interfaith, non-religious, spiritual, traditional, blended families, and first or second marriages. Love is love, and you belong here.
-
I travel to all of Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
-
My pricing is customized for each couple. It depends on your ceremony type, location, travel distance, and whether you’d like extras. Every ceremony includes a free consultation, a personalized ceremony script, and filing your marriage license with the clerk. Let's connect on your ideal ceremony and I can provide a cost estimate!
-
Visit the websites for Massachusetts and New Hampshire to get started.
Dreaming of a beach, a mountaintop, or your own backyard? Explore my favorite ceremony spots across MA and NH.
Thank you to YOU Betsy, for officiating the most beautiful, genuine, and love/laughter filled ceremony we could have ever imagined. We had so many people come up to us post ceremony to comment on just how lovely it was. We greatly appreciated you being empathetic to our desire to have a nonreligious ceremony, so we could personalize it and really make it our own. As a couple we felt heard and seen during the entire process leading up to our big day. Our ceremony was exactly what we had hoped for and more.
— Kaitlin & Dan