Melanie Doty

I became an ordained minister online because I felt called to hold space for people during some of the most meaningful moments in their lives, weddings, memorials, blessings, and those in-between moments that deserve reverence. It wasn’t about the title. It was about being able to show up fully, with both spiritual grounding and legal recognition, so I could honor those moments in a way that feels true to who I am. I wanted to offer something real, something rooted in love, presence, and the belief that sacredness shows up in everyday life when we slow down enough to see it.

I am from Indiana, a place where the land stretches wide with fields of corn and open sky, where the seasons shape you with their rhythm, and small towns hold stories in every porch and pathway. It’s where faith runs deep, community matters, and resilience grows like wildflowers between rows of harvest. Indiana raised me with quiet strength, Midwest values, and the kind of grounding that keeps your feet firm even when life asks you to fly.

I am seeking ordination not just as a title, but as a sacred acknowledgment of my call to serve, support, and stand beside others in their most vulnerable, transformative, and sacred life moments. I hope to gain the spiritual authority and legal recognition needed to perform ceremonies such as weddings, memorials, and blessings, always led by love, compassion, and deep reverence for the human experience.

Through online ordination, I hope to integrate my faith with the healing work I already do, creating safe spaces for connection, restoration, and soul acknowledgment. My goal is not to preach, but to presence. Not to control, but to co-create. I believe ministry is about walking with others, not ahead of them, and I hope this ordination allows me to do just that, with integrity, wisdom, and heart.

I’m someone who leads with heart and listens with presence. Life has shaped me through both joy and hardship, and those experiences have given me a deep compassion for others walking through their own turning points. I don’t come with judgment, I come with understanding, warmth, and the ability to hold space in a way that feels grounding and sacred. As a minister, I don’t just perform ceremonies, I co-create them with you. I bring intention, intuition, and care to every moment, making sure that what we honor reflects your truth. Whether you’re celebrating love, grieving loss, or marking a new beginning, I’m here to walk with you, not ahead of you, but beside you, with reverence and realness.

What makes my ceremonies special as an officiant is the way I weave presence, intention, and personalization into every moment. I don’t just show up to read a script, I show up to witness, to honor, and to hold space for what’s sacred to you. Every word is chosen with care. Every detail reflects your unique journey. I bring a calming energy, a deep sense of respect, and the ability to feel what’s unspoken, so whether we’re celebrating love, life, or new beginnings, the ceremony becomes more than just a moment. It becomes a memory you can feel in your bones.

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My services are deeply personal and intentionally customized to meet you right where you are—emotionally, spiritually, and situationally. I don’t offer cookie-cutter ceremonies or one-size-fits-all experiences. Whether it’s a wedding, memorial, blessing, or moment of transition, I take the time to understand your story, your values, and your vision, so what we create together is meaningful, authentic, and uniquely yours.