We were lucky to catch up with Shelley Armatino recently and have shared our conversation below.
Shelley, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
“I never considered myself a risk-taker. Life, however, had other plans. After my divorce, I faced what felt like insurmountable losses—I had to close a business I co-owned, lost my home, filed for bankruptcy, and faced significant debt. Through it all, I held onto my full-time job as a paralegal, reminding myself that as long as I was healthy and able to work, I could rebuild.
During this challenging time, I found a glimmer of light in officiating wedding ceremonies. What started as a side hustle while married, soon became a source of joy and purpose. As I began to get busier, I realized the potential to turn my passion into something greater.
When the law practice I worked for twenty five years closed, I was faced with a choice: let the fear of the unknown hold me back or step into this new chapter of the second half of my life with courage. I chose the latter. It wasn’t an easy transition, but I leaned on the resilience I had built through past struggles and poured my heart into growing my officiating business.
Looking back, I see that I didn’t take a risk as much as I embraced an opportunity to rebuild my life doing something I love. That decision has been one of the most rewarding of my life.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Now in the second half of my life my main focus is building a successful business, so I do not have to go back into an office style setting.
I am a Connecticut appointed Justice of the Peace for over 16 years travelling throughout New England and beyond to celebrate love in all its beautiful forms. I specialize in creating custom ceremonies that reflect each couple’s unique story, personality, and values. I proudly promote inclusivity and have the honor of officiating ceremonies for couples from diverse backgrounds, faiths and cultural traditions, including many within the LGBTQ+ community.
My goal is to provide a meaningful, lighthearted ceremony that celebrates the connection, humor, and love that bind couples together.
From spontaneous intimate elopements to elaborate weddings with hundreds in attendance, I have received many awards including First Place for The Best in the Region and The Knot’s Best of Weddings three times consecutively.
In addition, I am an ordained Minister with American Marriage Ministries, a certified Premarital Coach helping couples save their marriage before it starts and a member of the International Association of Professional Wedding Officiants (IAPWO).
One of my favorite parts of officiating is watching the expressions on the faces of family and friends. Whether they are laughing ,crying, clapping or maybe even raising their eyebrows a little- these tiny gestures are little messages that the ceremony truly resonates with everyone.
Recently, with the growing trend of couples asking a family member or friend to officiate, a colleague and I are now offering coaching and workshops. Learn how to Officiate like a Pro, and get the legal stuff completed correctly too! There are three ways to learn, a self taught prep guide, one on one coaching, or a live group workshop. The choice is yours. Information can be found at www.cantwait2officiate.com
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back I feel like my love of storytelling, genuine interest in connecting with people and curiosity in what brings couples together are some of the qualities that have helped me truly enjoy this journey and are the most impactful.
My advice to others would be if you listen close enough and long enough to what people are saying, you will find a story to tell,
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Typically during the height of wedding season is when I feel overwhelmed the most. It is not in relation to the actual officiating but during the writing process of multiple ceremonies at once.
Couples have very unique love stories and no two are the same so when I’m stuck for words or I am not feeling like the ceremony is flowing organically and authentically, I step away to reset by doing something totally different-like going for a walk, cooking a meal or catch up on phone calls with friends. This allows me to come back to my writing refreshed and review what I’ve written with fresh eyes and thoughts !
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marriedbyshelley.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marriedbyshelley?igsh=bGZycTIzMnBxc2s2&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jpofct?mibextid=LQQJ4d
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
