Uniting two souls in marriage is big business. According to The Knot, the average American wedding cost $20,000 in 2019. Although the coronavirus pandemic caused many couples to scale back on their ceremonies, Americans spent over $25 billion on weddings in 2020. Whether you have an eye for photography or know your way around a floral arrangement, there’s “gold” in the marriage business, especially if you meet a special need.
A “Solemn” Business
Engaged couples often look to others, including friends and strangers, to do everything from event planning to playing music at their receptions. Wedding vendors make a living bringing their talents and experience to make a couple’s nuptials special. Ministers can also get in on the fun, as a marriage can only be legal if solemnized by someone authorized to do so by state laws.
The Universal Life Church believes every person has the right to lead and follow on their spiritual journey. The ULC has an easy ordination program that gives each participant the legal standing to perform marriage ceremonies throughout the country. ULC-ordained persons can offer their services for free or earn money as paid wedding vendors.
Many have become ordained through the ULC, including celebrities and other public figures. Artists, actors, entertainers, and moguls have pursued ordination as a favor to close friends or as part of their creative hustle. Canadian businessman, investor, and television personality Kevin O’Leary became ordained through the ULC and officiated the ceremony of his friends in 2015.
A Shark’s Story
While Kevin O’Leary has launched, funded, and run several successful business ventures, he is best known as one of the “sharks” on the television series “Shark Tank.” This American reality series features entrepreneurs who seek funding for their company or product from a panel of investors known as “sharks.” O’Leary serves as one of these sharks, looking for weaknesses and scrutinizing the presentations.
Kevin O’Leary was also on the panel of investors on the Canadian series “Dragons’ Den,” on which “Shark Tank” is based. He developed a reputation as being brutally honest in analyzing and picking apart various entrepreneurs’ pitches. His ironic nickname “Mr. Wonderful” came from his status as a bankroller on both shows, despite his notoriety as one of the harshest sharks. Many viewers see O’Leary as the show’s villain.
To Have and To Hold “Holdings”
On a 2015 episode of “Shark Tank,” Kevin O’Leary pulled double duty as a shark and an officiant. O’Leary, who describes himself as someone who “loves love,” took the opportunity to officiate the wedding of two friends on the TV show. Never one to not take advantage of a business opportunity, Mr. Wonderful involved three companies he invested in, which were pitched to him in past episodes:
- Bottle Breacher: This company makes custom bottle openers from used ammo casings.
- Honeyfund: This crowdsourcing platform funds gifts for engaged couples with non-traditional wedding registries.
- Wicked Good Cupcakes: This company makes “cupcakes in a jar.”
O’Leary created the “Something Wonderful” platform to provide opportunities for these companies to work together to boost their synergies. He recognized engaged couples and newlyweds often require multiple services that can be fulfilled by these companies working together. While there was some criticism about O’Leary incorporating a business deal into his friends’ nuptials, the episode was met with positive reviews.
The Universal Life Church doesn’t impose restrictions on how its ministers conduct ceremonies or incorporate their ministries into business ventures. You don’t have to be a successful businessperson to help a couple legally marry. Whether you have a mind for business or you love weddings, consider walking your path to ordination with the ULC today.