Sincerely Pete
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Category: Officiant
Location: Richmond, VA
Style: Story-driven, modern, humanist, personal, intentional
Starting Price: $300
ABOUT VENDOR
Meet Sincerely Pete
Sincerely Pete creates custom wedding ceremonies that feel as meaningful as the commitment they represent. Every ceremony is built from the ground up and crafted with care, intention, and a deep respect for each couple’s story, values, and vision. No pre-written or repetitive scripts - just words that reflect who you are and what your partnership truly means.
Founded by a queer celebrant, Sarah-Pete Petersen, Sincerely Pete is proudly inclusive and deeply affirming of all identities, relationships, and family structures. This commitment extends beyond ceremonies— she has coached industry leaders like The Knot and WeddingWire on inclusivity practices and is recognized for helping wedding professionals create more welcoming, equitable experiences. The work has also been honored locally, including being named a top LGBTQ+ officiant by Richmond Bride.
Rooted in a modern Humanist perspective, ceremonies are designed to be personal, grounded, and to resonant. Whether joyful and lighthearted, deeply emotional, or somewhere in between, through thoughtful storytelling and a natural, engaging delivery, each ceremony becomes more than a moment—it becomes a shared experience that lingers.
Based in Virginia and serving couples throughout the Mid-Atlantic and beyond, Sincerely Pete believes every couple deserves to feel fully seen, celebrated, and supported.
How does Sarah approach weddings?
My approach is rooted in storytelling, collaboration, and intention. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all ceremonies; each one is thoughtfully built from the ground up to reflect who you are, how your relationship has evolved, and what truly matters to you.
We start with conversation. Not just logistics, but the kind of dialogue that uncovers the heart of your relationship: how you met, what you’ve built together, what you value, and how you want your ceremony to feel. From there, I craft a fully custom script that blends your story with a tone that feels natural to you.
Throughout the process, I guide you where needed while keeping things easy and supportive. I offer structure, suggestions, and edits, but always with the goal of making the ceremony feel like you—not like something you’ve seen before.
On the wedding day, my role is to hold the space: to ground the moment, engage your guests, and deliver your ceremony with clarity, warmth, and presence. The result is a ceremony that feels effortless, personal, and genuinely meaningful for you and for everyone witnessing it.
What are some traits of your ideal clients?
My ideal clients care deeply about the meaning behind their marriage and ceremony. They value storytelling, intention, and creating a moment that feels true to who they are—not just checking a box in the timeline.
They’re collaborative and open, excited to share their story, reflect on their relationship, and trust the process of turning that into something beautifully curated. Many of my couples are drawn to experiences that feel personal, inclusive, and emotionally resonant. They tend to prioritize connection over tradition (or thoughtfully reimagine tradition in a way that fits them). They care about how their guests feel and want their ceremony to be something people remember, not just something they sit through.
At the core, they believe that love is something worth honoring with intention and they want a ceremony that actually reflects that.
What are some of your favorite things?
Outside of weddings, I’m someone who really values a life that feels full, grounded, and connected. My favorite pastime is gardening! What started as a small project has become something I genuinely love and has taken over. There’s something about growing things, being outside, and working with my hands that feels both creative and restorative.
If I had to name three favorite things, it would be my dog, my partner, and a plane ticket. Home life and adventure both matter deeply to me. I love the balance of quiet, everyday moments and the excitement of exploring somewhere new.
A perfect day for me is a mix of both: starting slow with coffee outside, spending time in the garden or getting my hands in the dirt, maybe a long walk or being near or on the water, and ending the day with good food, good music, and the people (and pup) I love most.
At my core, I’m someone who appreciates meaning, beauty, and connection, in both the big moments and the small, everyday ones. That same perspective is what I bring into my work as a celebrant.
TESTIMONIAL
“Sarah Pete was the officiant for my wedding back in June and I would absolutely recommend her to anyone in the DMV area! Her services were very straightforward. While we had a wedding planner, it was very nice to have someone so knowledgeable about the wedding industry AND legal marriage side. Beyond that, having her as a guide for our ceremony was one of the best parts of our day. Her process of creating the ceremony script is so personal. Our guests have absolutely raved about the ceremony and the role that Sarah Pete played in that. Many people thought that she was a longtime friend of ours! She was very intentional about the way she told our story. I'm not sure that I will ever be able to thank her enough for officiating our ceremony! She delivered exactly what we wanted for our day. If you are someone who doesn't know where to turn to for an officiant, but still want a personal touch to your ceremony - please look to Sarah Pete!”
