Hello!

My name is Joan DeAvilla, and I am a registered wedding officiant, and truly enjoy performing marriage ceremonies.  I will simply act as a liaison between two people who love each other and the state for the marriage process. 

I’ve been married for over 47 years and have had quite a full life.  I have 4 children, 10 grandchildren, live in a rural section of a Chicagoland suburb, am a beekeeper. 

My faith is strong, however, the sanctity of marriage is why I am offering to perform legal marriages.  I truly believe that you do not have to be attached to a particular faith or parsonage to share your love for one another.

I’ve traveled around the world, visiting multiple countries and have experienced a wide variety of diverse people, faiths, and houses of worship.  The world is a very small place when you realize that people are people, and although they may communicate in multiple languages, they continue their lives, meet someone that they want to share their life with, and at a certain point, want to legally bond their relationship with a ceremony that shows their love for each other.  These steps of life happen all of the time! 

My thought is that for your wedding, know that it should be extremely personal.  The two of you have a history.  Somewhere between liking to be around each other, becoming best friends, the two of you can see the future together. 

The weddings that I have performed have had vows written by the marrying couple, and that to me is a huge part of preparing for this incredible day.  Pre-wedding writing sessions over a cup of coffee (beer/wine) are important.  Enjoy those writing sessions.  A quick warning… it’s easy to start writing your vows, but as the vow writing continues, usually so do the tears as your heart is now being poured out in front of your partner.   

This is where I come in.  If you would like to meet me, please don’t hesitate to reach out.  I’ll be waiting for your call!