Lenn Skeete-Casanova

I originally became an ordained minister through the Universal Life Church in 2017 because I wanted to be able to help friends and others celebrate important life events in a personal, meaningful, and respectful way.

Online ordination provided an accessible way for me to serve people who wanted ceremonies that reflected their own relationships, beliefs, values, cultures, and personal preferences. Over time, my interest in ministry developed particularly around wedding ceremonies and other important life events. I subsequently completed the required registration with the New York City Clerk's Office to legally perform marriages in New York City.

My approach is simple: the ceremony should reflect the people being celebrated - not force the couple into a ceremony that doesn't feel like them.

I was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Brooklyn, New York.

Growing up with Puerto Rican and Guyanese family influences gave me an appreciation for different cultures, traditions, family structures, and perspectives.

That background continues to influence my approach as a minister. I believe important life events deserve to be handled with respect, preparation, and genuine consideration for the people involved.

My goal is to make wedding ceremonies more accessible, welcoming, and personal for couples regardless of denomination, religious background, culture, or whether they prefer a religious, spiritual, interfaith, or non-religious ceremony.

I want couples to feel heard and respected rather than pressured into a predetermined format.

As an officiant, my role is to help create and conduct a meaningful ceremony while respecting the couple's wishes and following the legal requirements applicable to the location of the marriage.

I was raised Catholic and later became involved in Pentecostal Christianity as a young adult.

These experiences gave me exposure to different Christian traditions and perspectives.

As a Universal Life Church minister, however, I do not require couples to share a particular denomination or religious belief. I am comfortable working with couples who want a Christian ceremony as well as couples who prefer another spiritual, cultural, interfaith, or non-religious approach.

I believe a meaningful ceremony should reflect the couple rather than simply follow a one-size-fits-all script.

I take a personalized approach, working with couples to understand what matters to them and how they want their ceremony to feel.

Ceremonies may incorporate cultural traditions, spiritual beliefs, religious practices, personal values, family traditions, or a completely non-religious approach.

Whether a couple wants something traditional, intimate, simple, modern, or highly personalized, my goal is for the ceremony to feel genuine to them.

My philosophy is preparation without pressure, personalization without unnecessary complication, and respect without judgment.

My approach to ministry is rooted in respect, preparation, and service.

A wedding ceremony is more than words spoken at an appointed time. It is an important moment in the lives of two people and, often, their families and communities. I take the responsibility seriously while keeping the experience approachable and personal. My goal is to help couples create a ceremony that reflects who they are, what they value, and the commitment they are making to one another.

I don't believe couples should have to choose between a meaningful ceremony and a ceremony that feels like their own.

I primarily serve Brooklyn and the greater New York City area, with a preference for locations that are reasonably accessible by public transportation from Brooklyn.

I may consider ceremonies farther from my primary service area, subject to legal eligibility to officiate in the applicable jurisdiction, transportation feasibility, scheduling, and any additional travel expenses agreed upon in advance.

Travel beyond my normal service area may result in an additional transportation or travel fee.

I provide personalized wedding ceremonies, including marriages, same-sex marriages, elopements, and vow renewals. I also have experience and credentials in related professional services, including New York State notarial services and electronic notarization. Where appropriate and legally permitted, these skills can complement my work supporting couples through important life events. I am currently building my wedding-officiating practice and approach each ceremony with professionalism, preparation, respect, and attention to detail.

I was ordained through the Universal Life Church in September 2017 and subsequently completed my registration as a marriage officiant with the New York City Clerk's Office. Although I have held my ordination for several years, I am newly establishing my professional wedding-officiating service and have not yet accumulated a substantial number of completed wedding ceremonies. I bring preparation, relevant credentials, and a professional background in administrative and client-service work to each ceremony. My current focus is on building practical experience while providing couples with personalized and professional service.

My credentials are:

ULC Ordained Minister — September 2017 NYC registered marriage officiant NYS Notary Public NYS Electronic Notary