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I was ordained as a Zen Priest in 2009, after years of practice at San Francisco Zen Center and Tassajara. Conducting weddings is one of the most rewarding things I have done as a priest. I perform a dozen or so ceremonies a year.
I can help couples create a ceremony that reflects who they are. My practice means that I can offer a calm and grounded presence before and during the big day.
I have been delighted to be involved with many multi-cultural, same-sex and queer weddings. I believe in and support everyone's right to love, and to marry the person they love. I would be happy to be an officiant for any couple who would like a Buddhist or non-denominational wedding ceremony.
1 review
Konpat P.
May 22, 2026Shundo was absolutely wonderful for our short, same-day marriage ceremony. We managed to finish our licensing paperwork earlier than expected, and he was incredibly flexible, kindly agreeing to meet us an hour before our scheduled 2:30 PM time. He is very nice, warm, and modest. He smoothly guided us through the entire process and even went with us to submit the license right afterward. We couldn't have asked for a better, more stress-free experience!
Hired as: Wedding Officiant
Price range: Contact for rates
Languages: English, French
Gig length: 5 - 25 minutes
As a Zen priest, I offer a grounded and calm presence. Your wedding is stressful enough, and my job is to reduce your stress levels, not add to them.
Generally, I like to have a video call with the couple to get a sense of who they are and what drew them together. This will allow me to offer several example scripts from ceremonies I have previously performed, that the couple can use as inspiration for crafting their ceremony. I enjoy collaborating with couples on this so that they have a ceremony that reflects who they are as people.
I have been officiating weddings for fifteen years, and can handle everything from the couple and a photographer on the beach, to formal occasions with a hundred guests without breaking sweat.
I am originally from England - and have the accent to match! I have made my home in the Bay Area for the past 25 years, and I love living in San Francisco.
I spent fifteen years in residential practice at San Francisco Zen Center, including five years at Tassajara, the monastery inland from Big Sur. I was ordained as a priest in 2009, and began teaching in 2011.
These days I make my living doing various things, including leading meditation sessions and mindful hikes. I love officiating weddings, and having a front row seat to moments of great happiness in people's lives.
I am happily married myself, and live in San Francisco with my wife and our cute English bulldog Georgie.
I have a good strong speaking voice - with an English accent that usually goes down well - so I am confident addressing large groups, with or without a microphone.
Monday
Wedding Ceremony
2:30pm - 3:00pm
•
San Francisco, CA
I am sometimes asked to bring an altar, with statues, candles and incense for the ceremony.
Wedding Officiant