Nancy Woods has been marrying couples for more than 30 years, so, after retirement, her next chapter was an easy one—weddings. “I get to be with people on the best day of their lives,” she says. “What’s not to like about that? That’s the best.”
She opened an officiant business, I Pronounce You, in 2018 and has continued to be part of couples’ special days ever since. But what sets her apart from other wedding officiants is that she not only considers that memorable day, but all the ones that follow by offering premarital counseling. “People spend so much time on the details of weddings, some forget to prepare for the marriage,” Nancy says. “Marriage is daily; a hard gig. For-better-or-worse really is true.”
A CALLING
Nancy has had an interesting journey: legal secretary to preschool teacher to Christian education director to pastor. “I never wanted to be a pastor; because my husband was a pastor, I knew being a preacher/pastor/priest carries a tremendous amount of stress,” she says. “I was awestruck at the responsibility for speaking a word for God week by week. But God kept poking at me and saying, ‘I want you to preach.’ After two years, I surrendered to God’s call.”
Thus began a 32-year journey that led her to pastor eight United Methodist churches, including being the founding pastor of Wellspring United Methodist Church in Georgetown—a highlight of her career.
Driven by passion for people and a desire to give back to her community, she loves being part of special days and traditions. She recalls one touching experience when the groom lit and inscribed a candle that has been in his family for more than 200 years, and bears the names of every descendant inscribed on their wedding day. “It was really special to be part of that ongoing family tradition.”
But never is her job more rewarding than standing at the altar when the bride walks down the aisle. “I always watch the groom as well. Usually, there’s a tear that leaks out,” she says.
LOVE DURING COVID-19
Nancy’s business, other wedding vendors, and many couples’ plans have taken a hit over the last year. “The whole wedding industry has been decimated,” she says. “Everybody has been affected. Most vendors have been trying to keep [their] noses above the water.”
Many of her clients who dreamed of a large wedding have had to reschedule multiple times over the last year, or scale down to a ten-person event and plan for a big party later. But Nancy is hopeful for the future of I Pronounce You. “There is a huge amount of pent-up desire for couples to start planning their weddings; we are scheduling as quickly as we can,” she says. “I Pronounce You will be here to be their officiant.”
Visit IPronounceYou.today to learn more.