Meet the Officiant Who Married the Brownstone Boys in a Brooklyn Block Party Wedding

Spreading love the Brooklyn Way: Celebrant Lauren Hill officiated The Brownstone Boys’ wedding on the stoop of their Brooklyn home

 

Meet the incredible celebrant behind The Brownstone Boys’ Brooklyn block-party wedding – Wedding Celebrant Lauren Hill! 

 

Lauren Hill has been officiating weddings in New York City for nearly a decade. Under the title of ‘Love Officer,’ she’s helped couples tie the knot in some of the city’s most iconic spots: a surprise vow renewal at Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, a dreamy treehouse wedding at Dene Summerhouse, and a stylish elopement at Brooklyn Bridge Park that made the pages of Essence magazine, just to name a few. 

 

Lauren’s extensive experience as a wedding celebrant and her deep love for the city and its unique history made her the perfect fit for Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum’s Brooklyn wedding. 

 

 

A view from the street: Lauren performs the ceremony in front of friends and neighbors who have gathered from around the city to celebrate Jordan Slocum and Barry Bordelon on their wedding day. (Photo: Justin McCallum Photography)

 

 

The celebrity couple, better known as The Brownstone Boys, have become local heroes, at least in home renovation circles. Jordan and Barry gained a large following online by documenting the renovation of their own 130-year-old Brooklyn brownstone, bringing a renewed appreciation to the city’s historic architecture and craftsmanship.

 

They turned their passion for ‘fixer uppers’ into a thriving renovation business, appearing on television shows like 'HGTV's Handmade' and 'Good Morning America.' They’ve been featured in Architectural Digest, New York Magazine, Domino Magazine, and Rue, and published their first book this June, titled 'For the Love of Renovating.'

 

When it came time to plan their wedding, Barry and Jordan decided to take their vows on the stoop of their brownstone, surrounded by the friends and neighbors that had become such an integral part of their life. And there was no better choice for a wedding celebrant than Lauren, who’s built her business by honoring the love, energy, and history of the people that make New York City so special! 

 

See more of this wedding in the New York Times: First They Built a Relationship. Then They Built a Brand.

 

Lauren created a custom wedding ceremony that reflected Barry and Jordan’s personal style and values –  timeless and modern, polished but laid-back and playful, with a mix of casual elegance and effortless cool that honored the couple’s deep connection to each other and their community. 

We reached out to Lauren to ask about her experience officiating the Brownstone Boys' wedding. 

 

Here’s what she told us! 

 

 

A wedding to remember! Celebrant Lauren created a custom wedding ceremony for Barry and Jordan that reflected their love for the community. "It was important to them that their guests—their chosen family—felt like more than just spectators," Lauren says. "They wanted everyone to be part of the celebration in a real way." (Photo: Justin McCallum Photography)

 

 

Talking with Wedding Celebrant Lauren Hill: The Brownstone Boys Wedding 

 

• How did the Brownstone Boys find you to officiate their wedding? Were you familiar with their work? 

 

“I was introduced to them by their incredible planner, Amy Shack Egan, the founder and CEO of Modern Rebel. When Amy reached out to me, I knew exactly who they were. I first came across the Boys (as I like to call them) and their work through an influencer they had collaborated with.”

 

 

• Barry and Jordan mentioned how important community was to them when planning the wedding day. How did you incorporate the concept of community when writing or delivering their ceremony script?

 

“The ceremony was all about love, and the Boys put so much thought into every detail. It was important to them that their guests—their chosen family—felt like more than just spectators. They wanted everyone to be part of the celebration in a real way. 

 

To make that happen, I included a few call-and-response moments, making sure their guests felt engaged and connected throughout. During the ceremony, I incorporated a group acknowledgment, where everyone—friends, family, even the neighbors—pledged to support Barry and Jordan in their marriage. You could feel the warmth and energy in the air as everyone shared that collective promise. By the end, it wasn’t just a wedding—it felt like a true community celebration.”

 

 

The couple's block party wedding reception featured a drag show, brass band, food, face painting, dancing in the street, community, and so much love! (Photo: Justin McCallum Photography)

 

 

• What was your favorite personal touch in this ceremony? 

 

“A few of my favorite personal touches included the moment when the boys sat on their stoop for their vows. This allowed the Boys to lean in and focus on each other, creating a beautifully intimate space. It was preceded by a playful (and surprisingly intense) thumb war to decide who would go first. Rather than just telling their love story, I wove personal details throughout the ceremony, making it feel like a living, breathing reflection of who they are. 

 

Another favorite was giving the Jordan and Barry a moment to pause for reflection during the cermony—especially since this was a block party wedding. With the entire block buzzing with energy, the sun beaming down on a perfect fall day, and everyone around them taking a quiet moment to pause, it was the perfect opportunity for Barry and Jordan to truly soak in the gravity of the day before the celebration swept them away.”

 

 

The Brownstone Boys are married! Jordan and Barry sat on their steps to exchange vows, giving them a chance to pause and focus on each other. Lauren says the vow exchange was "preceded by a playful (and surprisingly intense) thumb war to decide who would go first," captured in the photo on the left! (Photo: Justin McCallum Photography)

 

 

• A stoop wedding in front of neighbors and friends is such a fun idea, and very ‘Brooklyn’! Did you stay for the block party / reception afterwards? 

 

“Oh, I definitely stayed for the block party! After the ceremony, I traded my shoes for sneaks, and my Love Officer/Officiant hat for a guest badge and jumped right into the fun. 

 

Engaging with their community was amazing—you could feel the love. The Love Party kicked off with a drumline, followed by pizza, hot dogs, fries, Mister Softee, face painting, an epic drag show, dancing, and more. And their stunning floral stoop? It turned into the perfect photo booth. It was truly a one-of-a-kind celebration that screamed ‘Spread Love the Brooklyn Way!’” 

 

 

• What inspired you to get ordained with American Marriage Ministries, and to start officiating weddings professionally? 

 

“I decided to start officiating professionally after officiating a wedding for one of my closest friends. After that day, I knew I was hooked. I had so much fun, bringing me closer to my friends in a way I did not expect. I couldn’t shake the feeling—it was like an itch on my back I couldn’t scratch.

 

While I initially received my endorsement through another organization, I knew I wanted to be endorsed by AMM when I saw that your organization stands for marriage equality, advocacy for officiants, and relatable and modern resources. Plus, let’s be honest, getting ordained on a leap year? How could I resist that little extra magic?”

 

Get ordained online to officiate a wedding with AMM 

 

 

Above, Lauren signs the official marriage documents for Jordan Slocum and Barry Bordelon on the wedding day. Check out those joyful smiles! (Photo: Justin McCallum Photography)

 

 

• You’re also an instructor at Celebrant Academy, tell me more about that! 

 

“When I first decided to officiate professionally, I quickly realized how unstructured the process was. There were few resources, and the journey varied wildly depending on the state—everyone seemed to be winging it. 

 

I’ve always appreciated structure and organization, and during my travels to Australia, I became familiar with celebrants and fell in love with their approach. Their blend of organization, professionalism, and dedication inspired me to dig into what was available here in the States. That's when I discovered Celebrant Academy and to learn more about their remarkable program.

 

After earning my Master’s Certificate from the Celebrant Academy, Donna Forsythe [Director of the Celebrant Academy] reached out with an unexpected offer: Would I be interested in teaching? I jumped at the chance. I started by teaching Public Speaking and Presentation Skills and later added Business and Client Management. 
 

What I love most about teaching is the exchange of experiences— it is a two-way street. I get to share my real-world knowledge with officiants from all walks of life, but I also learn so much from my students from each cohort. It is a constant reminder that no matter where we start, there’s always room to grow and evolve together.”

 

See Lauren's Instructor Page at Celebrant Academy

 

Related: Read AMM's interview with Celebrant Academy's Donna Forsythe ‘Naming Ceremonies’ at Any Stage of Life: How Celebrants Create Space for Authentic Identity

 

Online Wedding Officiant Training: AMM Officiant Certification Courses

 

 

• What’s your main focus right now as a wedding professional as we head into the new year? 

 

“My focus as a wedding professional is to craft ceremonies that are not just events but unforgettable experiences. I am dedicated to building my name as a trusted brand while weaving in unique rituals and tapping into my spirituality—what I like to call my 'bruja' side. By blending cultural traditions, spiritual elements, and deeply personal touches, I aim to continue to create ceremonies that genuinely capture the essence of each couple’s love story.

 

As I look to the new year, I am also embracing my knack for generating creative ideas, even beyond my usual expertise. Whether it is collaborating on innovative projects or helping others think outside the box, I’m excited to bring fresh energy and inspiration to every celebration and connection I make.”

...

More about Wedding Celebrant Lauren Hill

 

Lauren Hill is a Wedding Celebrant & ‘Love Officer’ at Simply Weddings NYC, her Brooklyn-based wedding officiant business. She officiates custom weddings and elopements in New York City and other destinations across the country and around the world.

 

Lauren is also a valued instructor at Celebrant Academy, where she has taught courses in Public Speaking and Presentation Skills and Business and Client Management. 

 

Connect with her on Instagram @simplyweddingsnyc 

 

Media Mentions: 

 

• The "Friend Officiant" Who Went Pro: Meet 5-Star Celebrant, Lauren Hill!
   

 

Above, Wedding Celebrant Lauren Hill

 

 

Updated November 27, 2024

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Get Ordained Online to Officiate a Wedding or Elopement Ceremony! 

Become a wedding officiant with free online ordination from American Marriage Ministries.

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Why AMM? American Marriage Ministries is an inclusive nondenominational internet church that ordains and trains ministers to officiate marriage ceremonies. We are a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit church, and help people from all backgrounds and beliefs become ordained ministers for weddings. Our online ordination is free, accessible, and never expires.

 

Officiating weddings is an incredible honor, and a great way to show your love and support for the people getting married. As a wedding officiant, you will help to create personal ceremonies and memories that last a lifetime.

AMM Ministers can legally officiate weddings in every state* (it's much harder in Virginia, where we're looking into our options). After getting ordained with AMM, you might need to register your ordination with your local county clerk’s office. Click the link above to get started! 

 

 

Become an ordained minister online with American Marriage Ministries and officiate wedding for friends and relatives. (Photo cropped: Biserka Stojanovic / iStock)

 

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