Meet Colleen Pressley

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Colleen Pressley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Colleen, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I found my purpose by watching close friends crying over the fact that they couldn’t find a minister to marry them because they are a same sex couple. Knoxville, Tennessee is not an area of the country that has the most progressive views on homosexuality, especially when it came to marriage. We are in the bible bet after all.
Growing up in Buffalo, NY I was lucky enough to be surrounded by strong and open-minded people who taught me that no matter what a person’s sexuality is, they are loved and valid and not to be judged by another’s religious, or any other point of view. I have amazing gay friends that I grew up with, worked with and graduated from college with, and I still do. I have always considered myself an ally of the LGBTQ+ population and have taught my children the same.
When approached by my friends who happened to be co-workers at out local YMCA (Imagine that!), asking me if I would become ordained to perform their wedding ceremony I was shocked, nervous and honored all at the same time; But the only word that instinctively came out of my mouth was, “YES!”. I did my homework on how to become ordained and found the American Marriage Ministry and the ability to become a minister online and legally perform their ceremony.
When the day came it more than I ever thought it could be. My heart was full from the experience of serving them on their wedding day and after posting it on my social media network I was approached by several other same-sex couples with requests to help them as well.
I immediatley created Magnolia Matrimonies (named after my daughter, Magnolia) and posted everywhere that I would that I was taking requested for same-sex and opposite-sex ceremonies. Within a few months, the amount of same-sex and male/female couples who requested booking my services because I was an LGBTQ+ minister skyrocketed.
The very next year, Tennessee passed a law stating all marriages had to be performed by ministers who had to be ordained in-pesron in hopes of cutting down on the amount of on-line ordination ministers performing same-sex ceremonies. It was heart breaking to watch couples who had booked me or my associates who held on-line credentials suddenly not be legally able to perform their ceremony and sign their marriage license.
Once again, The American Marriage Ministry doing what they do best, (Serving others) announced they would be coming from Seattle to 5 cities across Tennessee to perform ordinations in-person, at no charge, for anyone wanting to become ordained in order to battle the law that had so viscously been passed. My good friend and Associate Minister at the time, Nicole Threadgill and I jumped to action. We secured a venue in Knoxville where the AMM could come to perform the
ordinations and began to promote the event. Hundreds of people attended that incredible day and now continue to serve couples both same-sex and opposite alike.
After the completion of that event we saw how there was such a huge desire for the incredible wedding vendors in Knoxville to declare that they PROUDLY served same-sex couples and our next event was born; An inclusive Wedding Expo for couples to connect with vendors who they wouldn’t have to “Ask” if they would work with them simply because they were LGBTQ+. We named it the “Love Wins” Wedding Expo and Knoxville’ first inclusive Wedding Vendor event was off and running. The expo was wonderful, packed, covered by the local media and made history.
My story isn’t groundbreaking but it is one based in morals, values and a desire to serve. I m always and forever thankful for The American Marriage Ministry and their leadership and stewardship to their purpose.
2024 begins my 7th year performing ceremonies for ALL couples in Knoxville and the surrounding areas.
Best,
~Colleen Pressley
Licensed and Ordained Minster
Owner, Magnolia Matrimonies

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I perform wedding ceremonies, elopements and vow-renewals for ALL couples. I thoughtfully craft personalized ceremonies based on the couples’ wants and can include unity ceremonies like, hand-fasting, candle-lighting, sand-pouring and even broom-jumping.
I feel that most exciting and special aspects of my services is just that, SERVICE. It is an honor and a pleasure to perform the age-old ceremony of marriage and to do so in a thoughtful, respectful and inclusive way.
I have recently expanded my services to destination weddings in other states and am happy to travel to serve couples on their best day.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back; I feel strongly that being raised in an environment that love, tolerance and respect for people did not lie on their sexual orientation gave me the ability to love all people, as many religious texts state. *Wink 🙂 I also graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Communications from Buffalo State College and a desire to communicate thoughts and ideas to others starting in a career in Advertising in Atlanta, GA. The LGBTQ+ population in Atlanta was strong and vibrant and was always attending Atlanta PRIDE as an ally.
Advice for anyone starting their journey is start with your “Why” you are doing what you do. Simon Sinek is one of my favorite Optimists, Leaders and Speakers who I have followed and seen for years and his model of “Start with Why” thoroughly changed my barometer of how I operate. When I know my purpose and use that as my staring point, I can then adequately develop a method of how I do things and what I choose to dedicate my time and efforts to.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
Simon Sinek’s “Start with Why”. His book took me through the process of identifying my “Why”, and then building on that foundation in order to help others.

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