Dana Lawson


Certified Civil Celebrant



Congratulations to You!
Hi, my name is Dana Silverberg Lawson, Life Cycle Celebrant ®. Creating the wedding celebration of your dreams is my art, my passion.



About



I am a 2005 graduate of the Celebrant USA Foundation & Institute and I'm certified to officiate civil, nondenominational, intercultural and interfaith wedding services, baby ceremonies, end of life, funeral services & memorial celebrations.



Ceremony



I will personalize your ceremony by giving voice to what you feel in your hearts so that it may be enjoyed by others.



Your Way



I offer a flexible style that ranges from simple, honest and down to earth to profound, radiant and spiritual. My experience in constructing meaningful ceremonies will ease your mind and lift your heart.



Location



I provide services in New Jersey, New York City and Eastern Pennsylvania. Destination weddings are great fun too!



About me



I believe that people not presently involved with a traditional religion deserve access to safe and life-affirming ritual methods with which they can feel comfortable. Those in religious or spiritual traditions can benefit by a more conscious understanding of the rituals they utilize. Both can benefit by bringing awareness and intention to the secular rituals that are a regular part of life.



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Dana Silverberg Lawson, Certified Civil Celebrant





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SOME HAPPY CLIENTS



We were looking for a wedding that was different than any other we had ever been to. We thought the venue we picked would be what people thought was the most special part, us included. We knew Dana was gonna be great but turns out she was what made our ceremony so special!! People cant stop talking about the ceremony and how connected she made everyone feel. Her attention to detail, willingness to do just about anything we needed and her personality were all amazing. I knew from the moment we decided to use Dana that we made the best choice of our wedding process.
Tim · married on 07/26/2013



SOME HAPPY CLIENTS



My now husband and I were really struggling trying to decide who we wanted to marry us. We are both Jewish but did not necessarily want to get married by a rabbi. When we finally found Dana we were so relieved. She is so warm and friendly and by the end of our initial phone call we felt like we had known her forever and knew she was right for us. Dana truly understood what we wanted and made our ceremony completely about us. While Dana offered wonderful suggestions for vows, readings, etc., she gave us the final say which meant so much to us. When our wedding day came everything was perfect and our ceremony was absolutely beautiful (and one of our favorite parts of the day). Our guests, who had never heard of a celebrant, were stunned at how wonderful the ceremony was. Friends who were already married said they wished they had used her and friends who are planning weddings asked for her number. We would recommend that EVERYONE use Dana.
Ilysa · married on 12/17/2016



SOME HAPPY CLIENTS



We do not have words to express what an amazing person and officiant Dana Lawson is. When planning our wedding day, my now husband and I searched and searched for someone who we felt was not only closely aligned with our style and belief system, but someone that would be a part of a moment that we, and our guests, will relive for a lifetime.Dana first spent time with both of us, getting to know us and noting our interactions together. We then a provided additional detail about our relationship, and what makes us as a couple great, and what we admire about the other.She created the most romantic, personal and wonderful ceremony for us, of which our guests and even the wedding location vendor noted was one of the best they've ever seen. There was not a dry eye in house. :)It's clear that Dana truly loves what she does and gains a great deal of joy and satisfaction from her job as a celebrant.Both my husband and I wholeheartedly recommend her to any couple that understands that beyond the dress, the cake and the DJ... the wedding is REALLY about the ceremony!
Nicole · married on 02/22/2014



SOME HAPPY CLIENTS



Dana handled everything with top professionalism and care. Was very responsive on email, wrote a beautiful ceremony that really captured us as a couple, and took my request to start and finish the ceremony at a specific time for my astronomy chart very seriously ) and she hit the timing perfectly! Most importantly, she embued the ceremony with such warmth and love, I felt she actually married us with her spirit, not her words. That was unexpected, and special beyond words. I would recommend any couple that wants to married by the higher spirit should choose Dana. As a Catholic, I've never met a priest who could do better )
Elizabeth · married on 06/24/2017



SOME HAPPY CLIENTS



I don't even know where to begin to start about the quality of service Dana provided for my husband and I. I put off a lot of crucial wedding details, one of them was not the officiant, I had booked the church first... 3-5 months before the wedding the church canceled because it was during Lent, I freaked out, Dana was so good about my stress and my last minute request!
My husband and I met with Dana about three weeks before the wedding, we chatted for over an hour and after we left we knew she was perfect, she understood us as a couple with all our quirks and we felt like old friends. When we read the ceremony for the first time it was like she had been there for all seven years of our relationship, our ups and downs, she wrote it with elegance, finesse and just the right amount of humor (which is what we wanted).
Dana is the example of professionalism without sacrificing the warmth and compassion that we were really looking for. She was willing to work around my husband and my strange schedule, meeting us in the middle of the week late at night to accommodate us. She is one of the sweetest and most caring people I've ever met. Though she has been doing this for years she treated us like her very first couple lending so much attention to detail and eloquent wisdom.
At the wedding our friends and family couldn't stop talking about how amazing the ceremony was, how US it was, how she knew us so well. Dana set the tone for the wedding day, her ceremony is something we will never forget! I would recommend her to absolutely anyone, she is well worth her fee.
Danielle · married on 02/08/2014



SOME HAPPY CLIENTS



From our first phone call with Dana, my husband and I knew she would be the one to marry us. She was so upbeat and personable on the phone, genuinely interested in our love story. We spent about an hour on the phone talking with her, just going over how we met, how long we’ve been dating, what type of ceremony we wanted, how our lives are structured, our relationship with our families, etc. The truth is, the time just flew by because she genuinely cared, and it was like talking to an old friend. Prior to meeting Dana, we met with a few other officiants who were very nice and we easily could have went with one of them and been done with it, but I’m glad we kept looking and met Dana. Once we hung up the phone after our first conversation, we knew we were done. We emailed her the next day and met with Dana soon after at Panera to talk again and put a face to the voice. It was a great meeting and we quickly booked her that day. What set Dana apart was that we knew she would make sure that everything was taken care of the way that we envisioned it. She wrote a beautiful ceremony for us, which we worked on together the month of the wedding. On the day of, Dana came and found us the moment she arrived at our venue, which was nice and early. My husband and I both took a deep breath, we knew she had everything under control. She was so calm and reassuring, in that moment, I can’t tell you how glad I was that we chose her.
Dana nailed it! Dana speaks so beautifully, it’s no surprise our ceremony was perfect. All of our guests came up to us afterwards to tell us how beautiful it was and how much they enjoyed Dana.
Here’s my advice to anyone planning a wedding: Choose the vendors that give you peace of mind, the ones that you know will deliver for you on your big day. For my husband and I, that was Dana Lawson. Dana was a such a delight to work with before our big day and so incredibly warm and loving at our wedding. She was a true professional, a master of her craft. I would recommend Dana to anyone looking for an officiant.
Lauren · married on 03/30/2019



SOME HAPPY CLIENTS



I cannot say enough good things about Dana Lawson. I attended a Dana Lawson ceremony 8 years ago and knew then that I wanted her to someday perform my ceremony. My husband and I did not want a ceremony like every other one we had been to and yet I did want to include some traditional aspects. Dana met with us in person to get to know us and then crafted a ceremony that captured us completely and was everything we wanted and more. We wanted a very different unity ritual - chocolate and peanut butter - and without batting an eye (or giving us a funny look) she said "I can write that" and gave us a ritual that had the perfect balance of lightness and reverence. Almost everyone attending commented on how beautiful the ceremony was and how Dana's delivery and tone set just the right "mood". The venue did not have the ceremony space set up quite right and Dana took charge and made sure everything was perfect. Dana was a very calming presence on a hectic day and with her in charge of the ceremony I had one less thing to worry about. A celebrant costs a little more than a religious officiant but you get so much more for your money. Our ceremony was uniquely ours and was the perfect start to a beautiful event. Go with Dana - you won't regret it.
Robin · married on 11/10/2013



SOME HAPPY CLIENTS



Dana is simply amazing!! My husband and I needed to find someone to marry us 3 weeks before our wedding. The original person that was going to marry us didn't work out and I was freaking out thinking we wouldn't find anyone. I came across Dana's profile on wedding wire and read great reviews about her. I emailed her that night and she got back to me within a few hours! She was the sweetest person I have ever met! She really loves what she does and you can tell by the work she did for us. She made a huge effort in getting to know us with only 3 weeks before our big day. She asked us lots of questions to get to know us and she really cared and truly loves what she does. We met her for coffee to discuss what we wanted in our wedding ceremony and we hired her on the spot! She was such a pleasure to work with and she really went above and beyond, especially with only 3 weeks till our big day. She actually sent us a draft a few days later of our ceremony. She was great with giving advise as to what to put in the ceremony also. She arrived early the day of our wedding and we got so many compliments on her ceremony. I am SOOO thankful that we found her. I couldn't have asked for anyone better than Dana! I highly recommend her. You will not be disappointed. I can't express how appreciative we are for everything she has done for us. It was such a pleasure working with her! Thank you again Dana for everything!!!!!
Lindsay · married on 03/15/2013



SOME HAPPY CLIENTS



We had the most beautiful and meaningful ceremony I have ever witnessed. Dana met with us in person and truly listened to our love story as if it was the first she'd ever heard. She took time getting to know us which was the most meaningful part about the experience. Dana sent us a detailed questionnaire that asked questions that were enjoyable to answer and that also painted a picture of who we are as individuals and as a couple. She gave us many great suggestions about readings and rituals and let us determine our ceremony. It was a pressure-free experience from planning to execution. Dana accompanied us to our rehearsal, she was prompt and looked absolutely professional. She also did a great job of keeping the nerves away and the somewhat rowdy bridal party focused. After the ceremony, many of my guests asked me about Dana and different elements of our ceremony because it was simply that beautiful. The ceremony turned out to be the most beautiful and meaningful part of the day, not the party afterwards or the gifts or the dress. I cannot say how highly I recommend Dana. She is a beautiful person inside and out. Dana will devote time getting to know you, always answer questions right away and give you an absolutely beautiful wedding ceremony. Thank you, Dana for making the most important day of my life that much greater.
Shannon · married on 12/01/2012



SOME HAPPY CLIENTS



We cannot say enough about Dana- she is wonderful! She was able to craft a beautiful ceremony for our wedding that captured who we are as a couple. It was personal, heartfelt, and truly memorable. We still receive compliments about our ceremony from our guests. We will remember and cherish our ceremony for a lifetime.
Amanda · married on 04/15/2012



SOME HAPPY CLIENTS



Dana was an amazing celebrant my husband and I couldn't have have hoped for a more heartfelt and moving ceremony. Dana's ability to truly hear our unique story as a couple---including our idiosyncrasies, our strengths, and our challenges---and to weave that story into a rich ceremony that evoked both laughter and tears in all of our guests--is Dana's innate gift. I would highly recommend Dana Silverberg Lawson to all couples wanting a wedding ceremony that they'll remember for a lifetime!
Christine · married on 04/07/2012



SOME HAPPY CLIENTS



Choosing Dana to officiate our wedding ceremony was the best choice we could have made! She personalized our ceremony and gave us complete creative control so that we were 110% happy with it! She gave us options so it was easy to understand and make decisions. It was open-ended, but not too open-ended that it was difficult or confusing. The process was easy and fun, Dana made it a joyful experience from day one.
Friends and family told us that it was the best wedding ceremony they ever saw. During our Receiving Line, everyone was raving about the ceremony and how personal it was. People kept saying, "it was so you!" Guests were impressed with how clear and loud Dana was able to speak, and how nice she was. But most importantly, that it reflected us and our relationship - and that it was different.
It was spiritual, fun and an overall joyful ceremony. The last thing it was, was "stuffy" - like many ceremonies are. We had a great, fun time during our ceremony, which many couples aren't able to say.
We can't recommend Dana enough, she is absolutely fantastic!!!! If you want a ceremony that will reflect you through and through, then choose Dana!
Deanna · married on 09/10/2011



SOME HAPPY CLIENTS



Dana Lawson was a wonderful wedding celebrant. My husband and I were extremely pleased with her services. She is extremely warm and caring. I am Jewish and my husband is Catholic and Dana really worked with us to create a ceremony that matched our values and beliefs perfectly. She was always available to answer any questions we had and guide us through the ceremonial rituals. Since the wedding, we have received many calls from family and friends complimenting Dana, saying it was the most beautiful ceremony they had ever attended. I would highly recommend Dana to any couple getting married.
Melissa · married on 08/20/2011



SOME HAPPY CLIENTS



We used Dana for our wedding May 29, 2011. From the very beginning she was wonderful! She took the time to get to know us, learn about how we met, what we like about each other, and what are background are to create a customized ceremony. We wanted a ceremony that incorporated a few jewish traditions while staying fairly neutral in terms of religion. We didnt know too much about Jewish tradition but Dana brought a ton of knowledge to help us. She met with us multiple times, was always willing and available to talk and gave suggestions. She also handled our rehersal as well to make sure everyone knew what to do. We spoke to many officiants before we decided on Dana and we are so glad we chose her. She really does go above and beyond. If you are looking for an officiant and are able to book her, I would highly recommend it!
Christie · married on 05/29/2011



SOME HAPPY CLIENTS



Dana did an AMAZING job crafting our wedding. From the very first moment I spoke to her on the phone, she made me very comfortable and it was as if I had known her for years. When we first met her for coffee, it was like catching up with an old friend we hadn't seen in a while. The wedding was a second wedding for both of us, and she took the time to personalize the ceremony, including all of the things we wanted. She took the time to get to know us and put specific details about our relationship and our family into the ceremony. My father, who is a pretty traditional guy, has commented many times on how awesome our ceremony was, and how perfectly personalized it was. In many cases, an officiant will put together a cookie cutter ceremony for a couple, and the couple doesn't have much choice in what gets included. Dana is NOT one of those people! If you want a ceremony that is created specifically for you, and one that you and your guests will remember forever, Dana is the wedding weaver for you!
Stacy · married on 07/24/2010



SOME HAPPY CLIENTS



My now husband and I were caught off guard about 3 weeks before our wedding when our planned officiant canceled. Panic! We searched online for local officiant's, found 3 that we considered, and emailed each. Instantly upon hearing back from Dana (and even before we heard back from her - lol) we knew she was meant to marry us. Luckily, within HOURS, we received a response and set up a date to meet.

Dana wanted to and enjoyed getting to know us, know about our relationship, and know why we wanted to be married. She asked us wonderful, fun questions and from there, crafted the most amazing, personal, heartfelt ceremony we had ever heard...and how lucky that it was OUR OWN ceremony we were witnessing this at!! Dana expressed every single thought and wish we had for each other, and our guests, through our ceremony. Dana sent us rough drafts and asked for our input, which we loved.

We loved with Dana that she provided us a truly unique ceremony that could not have embodied us more. She gave us a gift that we will be forever grateful for. Not only is she a beautiful person, but she is a beautiful soul. She loves what she does, and the person in the back row of our ceremony could feel the love that radiates from her.

Our guests are STILL talking about what a beautiful and special ceremony we had ~ which to us, seems like what a wedding should be. She made it about US. And, Dana made our ceremony so special, that it was a gift in itself.

I also have never met a more professional woman in my life. If you are blessed enough to have come across Dana Silverberg Lawson, CELEBRANT ) ~ you are certainly blessed, indeed!! No need to hesitate :)

Congratulations and have fun planning your wedding!! It goes by in the blink of an eye, so cherish each moment!
Maria · married on 02/20/2009