Vendor Highlight | Justice of the Peace Tiffany Blake
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE TIFFANY BLAKE
If sunshine were wrapped up into a person, it would be this incredible human right here! Tiffany Blake is a Justice of the Peace and celebrant, performing marriage ceremonies and celebrations in the state of Connecticut and other areas across the country. Arturo and I first met Tiff earlier this year when we collaborated on a wedding editorial at The Lace Factory in Deep River, Connecticut with an incredible group of creatives.
From the moment we first spoke with Tiffany, I could see why her couples love her so much! She has a warm, calm, and inviting sense about her, three essential qualities for a wedding officiant. Tiff radiates light and positivity, something I just can’t get enough of. Each time we chat, I’m reminded of the important role she fills within the wedding industry.
Without further adieu, I’m happy to introduce you to Tiffany, as well as her beautiful and heartfelt approach to officiating weddings!
Tell me a bit about you and your business! How did you get started in the wedding industry?
"I have been officiating weddings as a celebrant and Justice of the Peace since 2020. During the pandemic, much like others, I took time for some personal growth. I had already been in the wedding industry since 2008 and during that time I had the pleasure of listening to wedding ceremonies performed by some Connecticut greats. They told beautiful love stories that were so captivating that I still haven’t forgotten them and the impression they left on my heart to this day.
All those couples that were getting married during the pandemic were making history. I wanted to be a part of it! During the pandemic, I was also researching my ancestry. I would print old marriage licenses from 1800s England and would think to myself, ‘WOW! My name is going to be on these and maybe just one day, my ancestors will be looking at them and looking for my name.’ I love that! Just think about all the love stories that came before yours that brought you to your special day. It’s just remarkable. I really love celebrating heritage in wedding ceremonies for that reason.
As a celebrant, I can perform weddings and other ceremonies (memorial services, funerals, baby naming ceremonies, etc) in many states across the county. As a Justice of the Peace, I execute the statutes of the State of Connecticut. I take an oath of office and work by a strong code of ethics. What I’m most proud of as a JP is the advocacy that comes with this role; at the Justice of the Peace Association, we work for the change we want to see. We are an inclusive organization that believes in the equality of all people. Our activities reflect our core values. We fight against child marriage, human trafficking, and forced marriage. We also stand for marriage equality and cultural inclusion!
I wanted to bring warmth, heart, and calm to a couple during their wedding day, but it became so much more than even that. It quickly became one of my most coveted roles in the wedding industry to date! It was my way to give back to my community. More so than ever, I wanted to be an ally for the LGBTQ+ community and support equality.
I have loved weddings all my life. My father was in the hospitality industry, and as a child, I remember he used to bring my sister and me home special favors that were left over from weddings; elegant homemade cream puff swans with pate a choux paste and fluffy pastry cream wings, fish bowl centerpieces with beta fish… all sorts of surprises! I was also one of those little girls whose mom had created a costume trunk full of dress-up clothes. I was always wearing the old wedding gowns and torturing my family with performances in the oversized gowns that were tripping me up and hindering me from performing a perfect interpretive scarf dance! I always thought about what my wedding would be like. I had ordered a catalog from a boutique in Canada when I was thirteen. I wanted swans roaming and choir boys performing (haha!). The movie Father of the Bride will always inspire me. By high school, I wanted to be a wedding planner. I even sent away for the kit and everything! I am a diehard romantic and always will be.”
What do you love most about being a wedding officiant?
"There are so many aspects to this that I absolutely love. That special connection is so important to me. I may not be an old friend or relative, but I like to think by the time we are standing up there together that my couple feels very comfortable with me. I am going to be there for them through their nerves and excitement, all while celebrating their love and relationship.
I LOVE learning about the details of their unique history and re-telling their love story, allowing couples to start off their married life together with the most beautiful words and affirmations of love. I enjoy taking the stories about how they met, their first date, first impression, funny memories, special little things they do, etc, and weaving them together into one gorgeous tapestry. There are 7.888 billion people or more on this planet right now, and it’s pure magic that the world is forever changed when two people meet and fall in love!”
What should couples know about your process and about working with you?
"I have a nonlinear way of writing. Every time I’m inspired, I’ll write down snippets, song lyrics, quotes, and poems. When it comes time I will take those bits of inspiration and stitch together a ceremony. I write several drafts and after I finish each one, I send it to my couple for feedback. When I’m close to the final ceremony, I’ll record my reading of the script. I do this for a few reasons because everyone takes information in differently and listening is extremely helpful. I firmly believe that it helps with visualization, and hearing it also eases nerves. It helps to hear their love story unfold so they can listen and FEEL the words. Nothing means more to me than when couples write to me after giving a listen, telling me they’re now SO excited about their ceremony and that it brought tears to their eyes.”
What is your favorite part about working with couples who are planning their wedding day?
"The connection. The creativity. The emotion. The way the love story unfolds so beautifully on a piece of paper.”
What (or who) inspires your creativity?
"Poetry! Magic and whimsey, history and heritage, energy and light… and especially music and nature. Anything from the United Kingdom; the mossy stone walls and wildly growing ferns, the old ruins of castles buried deep in the wood, the ivy and wisteria growing up over the houses. The glorious British countryside. I am your dark academia girl with a cottage core twist. Anything pre-1940s, especially books and movies. Cary Grant, An Affair to Remember… need I say more? Vintage items, folklore, and old wedding customs. I’m inspired by the heritage of storytelling. Artists that evoke the senses and invite curiosity.
I’m also always inspired by what my couples love. I get incredible insight from our interactions and it really allows me to take that spark and feed the flames!”
How early should couples book you to ensure you'll be available for their wedding day?
"Although it rarely happens (the celebrant always seems to be one of the vendors that is booked last) I would say, please book as soon as you can. It allows your officiant more time to get to know you and form a trusting relationship. A celebrant is one of the first wedding industry creatives that your guests encounter on your day, so they set the entire tone of the wedding! They are truly a great companion throughout your wedding planning process. Some even do pre-marital counseling.”
What is one tip or piece of advice you'd give a couple for their wedding day?
"BE AUTHENTIC! Allow the day to truly be a reflection of you. BE INTENTIONAL in all your wedding day decisions. Be sure to add time into your wedding day timeline to pause with your partner and take it all in, because the day goes by faster than you know!”
If you don't already, be sure to follow Tiffany to stay up to date with her latest weddings and events!
Facebook: Justice of the Peace, Connecticut, Tiffany Blake
Instagram: @jp_tiffanyblake
I hope you enjoyed getting to know more about Justice of the Peace Tiffany Blake! Have you found your wedding officiant yet?
CREATIVE TEAM
Wedding Venue: The Lace Factory | Photography: Shaina Lee Photography | Wedding Planning & Design: One for the Books Events | Officiant: Tiffany Blake | Floral Design: Muse Art Co.
