Gyðja | Officiant

Wedding Ceremonies

Do you dream of having a "Viking" wedding?

With the surge in popularity of Viking Age culture, many modern people are looking to incorporate the traditions of the ancient past into their own ceremonies. While it is not entirely possible to recreate an "authentic" Viking Age wedding (the ancient Scandinavians were rather tight-lipped on the subject), we can piece things together based on scraps of information and general cultural knowledge.

As a Viking Age historian, and a person ordained in the US, I can marry (pun intended) these two credentials and help you create a historically-inspired marriage ceremony: a ceremony as authentic to the Viking Age as possible.

Inspiration & Research

I have combed the Sagas and Eddas concerning the Viking Age, considered cultural influences of the pagan Germanic tribes that preceded the Vikings, and employed my training as a Viking & Medieval Norse historian to craft together plausible Viking Age pre-Christian wedding ceremonies.

Jötunheimr

A thoughtful ceremony without all the bells & whistles.

10-15 minute ceremony
Pre-designed rite
No rehearsal attendance
Casual environment only (backyard, etc.)
Certificate (English)

$125

Fólkvangr

A historically influenced rite performed with the couple.

30 minute ceremony
Customizable guided rite
Rehearsal attendance (in-person or virtual)
Casual or formal setting.
Certificate (English)
Novelty Certificate (Runic Old Norse)

$200

Valhǫll

A historically influenced rite performed with the couple, their families, and attendants.

40-60 minute ceremony
Customizable guided rite
Rehearsal attendance (in-person or virtual)
Formal setting (recommended)
Certificate (English)
Novelty Certificate (Runic Old Norse)

$350

Questions & Answers

What areas do you service?

I offer officiant services in most New England states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine).
Package prices do not include travel expenses.

We are not in New England/you do not service my area. Can you still help us with our ceremony?

If you have an officiant in a state (or country) I am unable to service, but would like to use my research & rites, you can hire me as a consultant and license my work for your wedding. Licensing is a single-use permission for your officiant to use my work for your wedding (the officiant is not permitted to re-use the ceremony). Alternatively, you can license the Jötunheimr package without a consultation fee. Licensed rites are issued via postal mail only. I will not email or otherwise transfer digital versions. Rites are sent to the wedding couple to be temporarily shared with their officiant. The officiant is not permitted to copy, keep, or reuse the work provided.

I only need a consultation, but I also want a novelty certificate. Is it possible to get one?

The Fólkvangr and Valhǫll packages typically come with a "novelty" certificate which is a marriage certificate intended as a keepsake written in Old Norse using Viking Age Runic script. The novelty certificate is not a legal document. If you are purchasing the consultation service only, you can purchase the novelty certificate for and additional $50 + shipping. These are handcrafted- I do not send digital renditions or copies.

Will you perform same-sex ceremonies?

Historically, marriage in the Viking Age was between a male and a female exclusively, but in the 21st century I practice impartiality in this matter. I have neither opposition or devotion to performing same-sex marriages. My purpose is to unite two adult humans in a historically inspired way. Same-sex marriages are currently legal in every New England state. If same-sex marriage is not legal in your state, I cannot legally marry you.

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