Does: Owner of Weddings by Mylene, where she’s an intimate wedding and elopement officiant with 15 years of experience specializing in bilingual and trilingual ceremonies—she’s fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Why you should hire her: Mylene offers a very convenient elopement package option, and also performs weekend and weeknight ceremonies. Connect with her here.
Based: Lake County, Illinois, just outside of Chicago, with travel throughout the Midwest—and to Miami, her former home city.
Behind the Scenes
What’s your daily routine during the week, when you’re doing all the BTS work that couples don’t see?
My day starts early as I love to take my dog Bailey for his walk—if the weather is good, I like to take a long walk. I hold a full-time job where I have lots of responsibilities. The evenings are dedicated to the couples for whom I have an honor to be part of their special day: It’s time to do research, study, prepare, and virtually meet the couples.
What does be an officiant actually entail?
Wedding officiants devote countless hours to thoughtfully crafting the perfect wedding ceremony. They strive to tell meaningful stories of love and commitment, and they pour their own hearts and souls into the wedding ceremonies they perform. The moment the couples say their “I dos” it is the pinnacle of all the hours and time dedicated to making it a very special moment. It’s also important to keep up with all changes, arrive on time, and be prepared for the unexpected.
Why did you decide to become an officiant?
It was 2008. My best friend, Cecilia, was a wedding officiant and she thought that I had the ability, responsibility, and empathy to be a great wedding officiant. I began shadowing her to weddings in order to start learning the business.
I was hesitant and sort of afraid to conduct the first wedding. But fate as had it, this particular day, Cecilia had two weddings. The second bride was aware of the situation but insisted that Cecilia officiate because she wanted her ceremony to be bilingual. Out of caution, Cecilia asked me to go before her, and if there was any last-minute delay, I could step in and officiate. I was so nervous, but I survived and fell in love with this incredible and rewarding job. Being an officiant gives me the ability to touch people’s hearts and influence their lives in a very special way.
Who or what inspires you?
The couples are a great inspiration. The opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities motivates me to be the best that I can, and to provide them with memories that will last a lifetime.
In the Field
What kinds of ceremonies do you do (religious, spiritual, civil, symbolic)?
I do all ceremonies. I do my best to reflect the couple’s wishes whether it be short and sweet, religious, or traditional, and incorporate rituals. Handfasting, sand ceremonies, drinking from the same cup, tying the knot, and tree-planting are a few I have done over the years. I’m always up for researching more.
It’s the couple’s special day, and they’re the ones that have to shine. I’m the instrument to achieve their goals. I don’t have a preference, but I base my script on their needs and wishes. Many times, it’s their first marriage, or their prior experience was in a more religious setting. They don’t know what’s available and it’s my experience to share with them the diverse possibilities.
How would you describe your vibe?
I’m easy going, very responsible, and trustworthy. I’m very positive and I deal well with stressful situations and am always prepared. I take my profession very seriously and I strive to do my best for every couple.
What do you usually wear to officiate?
I usually wear black either a less or a more formal outfit. If the couple has a special request, we do our best to accommodate their wishes.
Favorite elopement spots and venues
I like the Chicago Botanical Garden and Navy Pier.
What’s the #1 question you get asked by couples?
“How long is the ceremony?” They usually don’t know a lot about the ceremony. Most couples have a time allotment for the ceremony, and they want to keep it under control.
Vow-writing tips:
Some couples just want to repeat after the officiant, which is fine. Others want to write their own vows, but they need a little coaching. We have some samples to inspire them. Each couple has their own personality and they’re free to come up with a script that reflects who they are. There are no rules.
What you wish couples knew before they booked:
I’m a professional officiant, and I’ll be honest and supportive of their wishes.
Biggest piece of advice for couples making the switch from a big wedding to a micro wedding or elopement:
Embrace the chance to celebrate your love together. There are no rules. It is completely your day. There will always be time to have a party. You don’t have to give up your party—you get to have two.
We love getting to know our vendors and providing them a platform where they can connect with couples in a more meaningful way. Want to be featured? Email me! kim@artofeloping.com.
