Today we’d like to introduce you to William Reel Jr.
Hi William, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I came into this work as a natural extension of my role in a local nonprofit that focuses on supporting people in meaningful life and religious transitions. Over time, I noticed that a lot of couples, especially those who aren’t affiliated with a particular religion or had been hurt by one, were looking for wedding ceremonies that still felt intentional, personal, and well done.
That inspired me to start offering officiating services as a way to meet that need. My goal has always been to create ceremonies that reflect the couple’s values and story rather than a script handed down by tradition. What began as a few requests from friends and community members has grown into something I genuinely love doing, helping people mark one of life’s most important moments in a way that feels both grounded and deeply human.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Yes, it’s actually been a very smooth road. This work has grown naturally out of what I already do with my nonprofit, so it’s never felt forced or pressured. I’m not trying to build a large officiating business or make it a major revenue stream. It’s more of a heartfelt extension of the ways I already try to serve my community. Each ceremony is simply an opportunity to show up for people during one of the most meaningful moments in their lives, and I’m really grateful for that.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What I do really sits at the intersection of two things I care deeply about. Helping people heal from unhealthy religion and creating meaningful, inclusive spaces for life’s major moments.
As a wedding officiant, I focus on serving couples who want a ceremony that feels personal and intentional without the religious language or structure that doesn’t resonate with them. There’s a growing number of people who still want depth and beauty in their wedding, but prefer something that reflects their own values rather than inherited beliefs. I take pride in helping them craft something authentic, warm, and deeply human.
Beyond that, much of my work centers on supporting individuals who are deconstructing or recovering from high-demand religions. Through coaching and community work, I help people rebuild their sense of self, reconnect with their inner voice, and learn to thrive outside of rigid belief systems.
What sets me apart is that both sides of my work — officiating and coaching — come from the same place: a desire to offer compassion, clarity, and belonging to those who have often felt unseen or excluded by traditional religious structures.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I think the quality that’s been most important to my success is empathy, the ability to really see and hear people without judgment. Whether it’s officiating a wedding or coaching someone through religious deconstruction, people don’t need someone to fix them; they need someone to hold space for their story.
That genuine curiosity about people’s experiences allows me to connect on a deeper level and create environments that feel safe, authentic, and human. I think that’s what people respond to most, the sense that I’m not performing a role, I’m simply being present with them in one of the most meaningful moments of their lives.
Pricing:
- as little as $100 for a simple show up and say the words
- as much as $350 for formal ceremonies
Contact Info:
- Website: https://southernutahweddings.org/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MormonDiscussion
