Hi, I am Jon and I started all this in in 2019 when I was asked by a very good friend to officiate her wedding ceremony. While I consider myself spiritual, I am not religious. I believe in innate values and morals. I have questions about life and deeper meanings. I do not consider myself “religious” because I don’t typically follow one specific set of texts or spiritual practices.
Still, being asked to perform a wedding is a great honor and I was honored to take part in such an important ceremony. I started looking for a church that would ordain me but didn’t push beliefs that excluded or hurt people. It was important I find an organization that did more than just tolerate alternate views and philosophies. I wanted to be a minister that honored and respected them. In my search I found The Church of the Latter Day Dude and became a Dudeist.
Simply put, I believe that life is too short to waste much time being mean or negative. The world can be hard for some people and I need to do what I can to make my part of it better. That means it is not my place to pass judgment on others because I don’t know the life they have. I can only decide what is right or wrong for myself. Most importantly, I should do good things and help others when I can. (I was going to include a really bad bowling pun but I wanted to spare you.)
While researching what was legally required to officiate a wedding I learned there is a real need for non-traditional ceremonies. More than just people who don’t subscribe to one version of religion or God. There are people out there who want help with celebrations of life and more. They want someone that respects their lifestyles and honors their beliefs. So in 2020 I started The Dudeist Ministers and in 2025 I was fortunate to be joined by Ned and Bridgit because they both offered advantages to our couples that I could not.
Being true to yourself and kind to others is a large part of what Dudeism is about. All three of us offer our services as Dudeist ministers to anyone in the world who might need it (even if you like The Eagles).
Just send us a message with what you are thinking. We are happy to officiate unusual ceremonies, as long as its a good thing and respectful to others, we will abide.
Jon is an LGBT+ ally and offers the following services to everyone regardless of their beliefs:
• Custom weddings built around your story
• Traditional weddings that keep things classic
• Themed or costumed weddings for couples who want something fun
• Elopements for a simple and meaningful ceremony
• Sign n Go ceremonies for couples who only need the legal part done
Click here to read Jon's complete bio.
Ned is Ohio's first openly LGBTQ professional wedding officiant. He works with all couples and specializes in LGBT+ couples.
• Custom weddings built around your story
• Traditional weddings that keep things classic
• Elopements for a simple and meaningful ceremony
• Sign n Go ceremonies for couples who only need the legal part done
Click here to read Ned's complete bio.
Bridgit is an LGBT+ ally and deeply religious woman that offers both secular and Christian ceremonies.
• Ceremonies based in Christian beliefs when requested
• Traditional weddings that keep things classic
• Elopements for a simple and meaningful ceremony
• Sign n Go ceremonies for couples who only need the legal part done