herzlich.art
Wedding officiant Heike Schönbacher from herzlich.art doesn’t just tell any old love story—she tells yours. Her speech highlights all the unique qualities and stories that define your relationship. Her wedding ceremonies are personal, humorous, touching, and above all, uniquely you!
Photos © Tanja van Lonsperch | Martina Haller | Jakob Wedenig
“It was lovely” isn’t enough for wedding officiant Heike Schönbacher. She’d much rather have your guests say at the end, “That was so typical of them!” At herzlich.art , it’s not just the major milestones of a love story that count—it’s the little things in between: What makes you both laugh until you cry? What regularly drives the other one crazy? And which small moments tell more than any perfect wedding photo? The experienced public speaker picks up on precisely these personal details and skillfully weaves them into her speech.
Non-religious wedding ceremonies with a personal story
A couple’s unique story is the essence of Heike’s non-religious wedding ceremonies. Not a love story that could apply to ten other couples, but yours. Heike celebrates the ceremony with the people who are part of your lives, with music, personal rituals, little surprises, and details that make your wedding guests think, “Yes. That’s exactly who they are.” There’s plenty of room for laughter. Just as there’s room for quiet, emotional moments—and maybe even a tear or two. For Heike, an independent wedding ceremony doesn’t have to be cheesy to be moving, nor does it have to be stiff to be solemn.
Wedding speaker with a sense of humor and stage experience
As a trained emcee, Heike performs on stages both at home and abroad. She knows how to engage an audience, react spontaneously, and make the most of a special moment. This experience also serves her well at weddings. As a musician, she also brings a keen sense of rhythm and emotion to the table. She knows exactly when a brief pause is needed.
At herzlich.art , you won't get a cookie-cutter wedding speech, no empty chatter, and no run-of-the-mill ceremony. Instead, you'll get Heike: warm, humorous, professional, sometimes a little sassy, and with a great sense of people.
Services provided by herzlich.art
- Personal rituals and little surprises
- Personalized Music Selection and Musical Arrangements
- Professional experience in hosting and on stage
As a wedding officiant, what is particularly important to you when conducting an independent wedding ceremony?
That it doesn’t feel like a speech, but like your story. I want to take the people sitting in front of me on a journey, make them laugh, move them, and experience again and again that moment when one guest looks at another and they both know exactly: “Yes, that’s them.” To achieve this, I really want to get to know you, understand your story, and include the people who are important to you. Because to me, a wedding ceremony isn’t just about wedding guests sitting in front of me—it’s about people who are a part of your lives. And that’s exactly why they should feel like they’re part of this special moment, too.
How do you plan a non-religious wedding ceremony that’s truly personal?
By focusing not just on when you met, but above all on what happened afterward. I’m interested in the little stories in between, the quirks you can laugh about today, the moments that have shaped you, and, of course, the people who have been with you along the way. For this, I’ll send you a detailed questionnaire. You can really tell me anything that comes to mind. I’ll listen, ask questions, gather all these little pieces of the puzzle, and eventually they’ll come together to create a wedding ceremony where your guests won’t feel like they’re listening to a speech, but will see both of you reflected in it.
Are there more laughs or tears at your non-religious wedding ceremonies?
Ideally, both—sometimes even within a matter of minutes. I love it when people laugh heartily, because a love story isn’t just made up of big romantic moments. It’s also made up of little quirks, shared experiences, inside jokes, and everything that connects two people. At the same time, of course, it’s okay for things to get emotional—and when people suddenly reach for their tissues, that’s wonderful. But I never want to deliberately pull at the heartstrings. Emotions arise naturally when a story is told honestly and personally.
What experience do you have as a wedding speaker?
I am a trained emcee and have been performing on stages both large and small—as well as at weddings—in Germany and abroad for many years. You might not necessarily notice this from what I say during a wedding ceremony, but you’ll certainly notice it in how confidently I guide you through this special moment. I can react spontaneously, keep an eye on the guests and the atmosphere, and know when words are needed and when a brief moment of silence speaks volumes. At the same time, I’m a musician and know how much of an impact music can have. For me, a wedding ceremony isn’t just a series of individual program items—it should have a rhythm, a common thread, and feel harmonious from the very first moment to the very last.
How can couples tell if you're the right wedding officiant for their wedding?
I believe you don’t really get a sense of that from a perfectly written text on a website, but rather when you sit across from each other and talk. A non-religious wedding ceremony is something incredibly personal. It requires trust, rapport, and that very simple feeling: “Yes, this feels right.” That’s why we get to know each other with no strings attached. You can ask me anything—of course, I’d also like to learn a bit about you, and most of the time, you can tell pretty quickly if the chemistry is right. Because in the end, you shouldn’t just book any wedding officiant, but someone you’re happy to entrust with your story. And if, after our conversation (which can also be online), you say, “We want Heike!”—then we’ve already done a lot right.
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