Quintessence Ministry
About
Quintessence Ministry is founded upon the philosophy of nondualism – the understanding that all manifestations of life and the Divine ultimately spring forth from the same singular, boundless Source. Though there are many rivers, all water comes from the same ocean. In this spirit, we honor the light of truth at the core of all faith traditions while remaining independent of any specific dogma or doctrine. Our ministry aims to elevate human unity, foster deeper connection, and celebrate the diversity of beliefs. Through embodying unconditional love, which we believe to be the elemental energy of the universe, we hope to facilitate spiritual awakening and elevate the conscious evolution of humankind.
Officiants/Celebrants for Weddings and Other Meaningful Ceremonies and Gatherings
At Quintessence Ministry, we recognize the union of two souls as an incredibly sacred event – one deserving of mindful celebration rooted in universal values like unconditional love. Our officiants are nondenominational, guided by an inclusive spiritual philosophy that honors the wisdom and light found within all faith traditions, while remaining independent of any one religion’s specific orthodoxy.
Unlike traditional religious ministers, our celebrants are free to thoughtfully incorporate diverse customs, rituals, or spiritual meanings of value to you into your ceremony. We consider every wedding to be beautifully unique, collaborating to tailor the script with words, symbols and cultural elegance that most authentically resonate and bless your sacred bond. From ring exchanges to unity rituals, sand ceremonies, wine ceremonies, breaking of the glass, jumping the broom and an entire range of traditions found throughout the world, our intent is to uplift the consciousness present to reverently match the significance of your commitment.
By using a Quintessence Ministry officiant, your ceremony can be woven with spiritual truth and wisdom that calls forth human unity, sacredness, and the unifying power of selfless love – setting this intention to anchor your matrimonial journey ahead based on higher ideals. We offer this as a special gift for you to consider as you embark on a lifetime together.
About Russ Camarda
After three prolific decades working in the wedding industry as an award-winning cinematographer, photographer, and editor, as well as an internationally award-winning Actor and Independent Film Director, Russ Camarda is now bringing his artistic talents and exceptionally rare breadth of experience as an Officiant through Quintessence Ministry.
Over an expansive career being invited into the profound intimacy of countless sacred celebrations of love through his camera lens, Russ bore witness to an astonishing spectrum of wedding ceremonies and traditions. Unlike officiants who have only ever worked within their own faith traditions, Russ’ career has exposed him to weddings with nearly every religion and culture – from every denomination of Christian, Catholic and Jewish ceremonies to Hindu and Wiccan rituals, Greek and Russian Orthodox rites to African, Chinese, and Korean traditions and so many more interwoven with rich cultural pride. Other officiants have a narrow exposure confined to the rituals of their own denomination and communities. Russ, however, has covered the broad spectrum – spirited secular vow exchanges, grand cathedral affairs, to backyard handfastings and everywhere in between.
His firsthand experience photographing and filming well over 2000 weddings has granted Russ profound insight into the diverse rituals and customs surrounding sacred matrimonial covenants across cultures and spiritual traditions. After building trusted relationships with all the top venues throughout New York and over 30 years in the bustling metro wedding scene, his reputation precedes him as he launches Quintessence Ministry.
Yet Russ’ creative talents also extend as an accomplished trained professional actor, screenwriter, and director for over 30 years with dozens of theater productions and feature films earning him multiple international accolades and awards. He knows how to deliver dramatic, soul-stirring performances while crafting nuanced multi-dimensional narratives.
Russ leverages both his extensive insider wedding industry expertise and his artistic creative gifts, combining this unparalleled interdisciplinary experience through Quintessence Ministry, to co-author and conduct unique celebrations of matrimony as one-of-a-kind, as the connections they solemnize.
Quite literally, NO other officiant working today offers the same immense depth of cross-cultural understanding and artistic insight that Russ provides through Quintessence Ministry. His singular background enables him to honor the profoundness of couples’ unions with lovingly customized ceremonial storytelling.
What We Offer
At Quintessence Ministry, we craft wedding ceremonies as unique as your love. Our flexible packages serve diverse needs – lavish ballroom galas or intimate elopements, blending faith traditions, secular ceremonies or LGBTQ unions. We bring personalized care, inclusive values, and extensive expertise to make your special day exceptional. Let us relieve logistical burdens so you can savor the splendor of this once-in-a-lifetime celebration of your extraordinary bond built to last. Please allow us the honor of making your wedding dreams into reality.
Our pricing correlates to the extent of customization you desire for bringing your ideal ceremony vision to fruition.
If you simply want us to handle the legal essentials plus some personal vows, our base package may suit your needs. However, if you envision multiple integrated faith elements, personalized “Love Stories” and readings, cultural rituals to celebrate your heritage—we gleefully craft such embellished ceremonies as well. We live for imaginatively caring, unique celebrations of love.
Options span from efficient essential ceremonies focused solely on vow exchanges, all the way up to highly elaborate interfaith blessings woven with rich cultural tradition and ritual.
We will meet in person or online to understand your needs and priorities as a couple. From there, we’ll craft a completely tailored ceremonial script aligned with your vision. We’ll briefly review the ceremony flow together beforehand, so you feel fully prepared. When the long-awaited day arrives, you can then wholly relax into savoring the splendor while we handle bringing the ceremony vividly to life, plus smoothly filing all post-matrimonial paperwork.
Please connect at your convenience so we may begin making your dream wedding a reality, however you envision the details coming together
Quintessence – Definition
-A pure substance
-The vital essence of a thing
– A thing that is the most perfect example of its type
In pre-atomic/Aristotlean theory, there are four known elements or essences – Earth, Air, Fire and Water – and a fifth element which is considered to be of exceptional superior quality to the other four basic elements. The Quint Essence.
