Not many nuptials feature a gleaming Harley as a member of the wedding party, but for The Rev. Jacqueline Weiks, it’s something actively encouraged.
“I don’t do a lot of things traditionally. I never have,” she said.
Weiks offers couples a variety of wedding ceremonies, from traditional to more intuitive and mystical, joining couples in holy matrimony as they stand next to their loved ones, which can often include their motorcycle.
She said she’s never done two ceremonies that were exactly alike, and every couple has their unique traditions and choices they implement into their ceremonies.
“I love to be surprised as to where these people have me go. That’s always a fun adventure on my side. I had a couple that did a 2,700-mile bike ride, and on their last trip I met them in Bryson City at ‘the road to nowhere,’” Weiks said. “We used both of their bikes as maid of honor and best man. There was no one there but the three of us. That was the coolest story. They had done this big, fabulous trip and I just met them.”
She moved to Western North Carolina several years ago after starting their relationship with a motorcyclist, and spending time on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
“I used to have a little 1970 Harley Z90,” she said. “I was married to a biker. I was biking all the time. We mainly had Triumphs. I had a 1962 650 Bonneville Triumph with a suicide clutch on it that I rode for a while as well. Life changes and you have to go with the flow.”
While she doesn’t ride much these days, Weiks found exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains on two wheels becomes its own mystical experience.
“It was always just a beautiful way to enjoy nature, stop at different places or you know shoot a game of pool and grab a bite to eat. The freedom of that was really fabulous. I loved, loved riding the bike,” she said.
Before joining the ministry, Weiks worked as a chef, caterer and construction superintendent.
“I realized in construction, we are making people’s dreams come true,” she said. “Who else gets to do that for a living? Now the perspective is completely different.”
She organizes weddings, crafting a special day where motorcyclists can incorporate their bike into an unforgettable ceremony for couples.
“I custom wrote about seven or eight spiritual weddings. They are more neutral. I do have some that have a tiny bit of religious tone like, ‘Dear Lord thank you for this day,’ and that’s it,” she said. “Then I send all that information to them so they can go through it and pick and choose from everything. If they have outside influence or their mom, or an Asian tradition, or Native American tradition, I have Native American prayers. I have Celtic prayers. I have poetry. All kinds of really cool stuff to choose from that’s neutral.”
Most couples write their own vows after selecting what type of nontraditional wedding they would like, and Weiks helps manage all aspects of the ceremonies.
“The whole process is super simple. They contact me and let me know when, where and how. I let them know I have a wedding portfolio which I will send to them. That portfolio includes seven or eight ceremonies, 10 to 12 pages of prayers and readings all very neutral and then they get another document that is considered ‘other ceremonies,’” Weiks said.
Weiks spiritual journey to becoming a minister began with those eternal questions about life.
“I was raised in a more traditional, structured belief system that I didn’t resonate with,” she said. “I asked for guidance and help from spirit. I found an amazing opportunity to become a mystic and spiritual clergy.”
Four years of study through the Christ Life Church opened her eyes to learning various backgrounds and beliefs. She realized almost all belief systems share similar foundations and are rooted in similar understandings.
“My title is I am a minister of spiritual science which is the study of the science, philosophy and religion on spirituality, so it is not religious.” Weiks said. “I had board initiations. I was taught channeling. I was taught to develop my intuitive skills. The basic things that every minister knows — exorcisms. I don’t think they teach opening portals — my minister did. That is the difference in modern mysticism as opposed to just a traditional clergy.”
Typically, the spiritual weddings Weiks presides over are more intimate ceremonies with less than 200 people.
“Let the words be rich and important because they are telling me what they want,” she said. “Just the joy and the feeling that we all have that I have represented their family in the most reverent and beautiful way, and they got exactly what they wanted for their family to see about their loving relationship.”
Weiks finds it very rewarding to serve the motorcycling community while sanctifying a couple’s love for each other.
“After 33 years, I have a 98 percent success rate,” she said. “I am a spiritual clergy. People that come to me are very different. They’re not looking for their other half. They are whole, and then they come together.”
To message The Rev. Jacqueline Weiks about elopements, biker weddings, vow renewals or weddings, email revjacqui@gmail.com or visit ncminister.com.
