A Passion For Ceremonies

Over eight years’ experience and certified as a Master Celebrant through Celebrant Academy, Joan has received training in rituals, ceremony writing, and public speaking.

Joan is passionate about officiating weddings and other celebrations and makes sure that each ceremony she officiates is unique and meaningful.

She honors the background and relationships of people from all walks of life with their words carefully crafted into each ceremony.



Using an experienced wedding officiant can make all the difference in the world on your special occasion. Joan brings her experience, warmth, wit and wisdom to make sure your ceremony is a special memory.

Joan Fergus

Joan has a Master’s Degree in Education and has spent over 30 years working with children and adults with special needs, teaching health and wellness programs in the community, teaching special education and substitute teaching in the public schools.

She has spent 12 years in the creative world of Waldorf education as a parent and enrollment director at a Waldorf School in Chicago’s western suburbs.

Joan became ordained as a non-denominational wedding minister in 2013; trained with an experienced officiant; and became certified as a Master Professional Celebrant through the Celebrant Academy in 2021.

In 2024, she became certified as a Transformational Life Coach through the Brave Thinking Institute.

The joy in her life is making a difference in the lives of others.

When not officiating weddings or writing ceremonies, Joan can be seen taking long walks in nature with her Golden Retriever Sapphire, fostering other golden rescues; kayaking or sailing on Lake Michigan; and getting in a game of Pickleball. Being outdoors and active keeps a smile on her face.

Joan loves to travel, especially to Scotland…taking in all the beauty of her Scottish ancestry and homeland.

She loves spending time with her family and is proud of her two adult children.

Life is good!!!