A Little Flexibility, A Lot of Heart: Meet Rev. Barbara Pinker

Sometimes the best careers begin with an unexpected invitation. For Barbara Pinker, owner of One Gal and a Wedding, that invitation came from a friend back in 2014. Initially approached about joining her in wedding planning, Barbara wasn't particularly interested in that side of the business. But when her friend suggested becoming someone who marries people, Barbara was happy to give it a try. As she recalls, "I said sure, went online, became ordained, and I've been a Wedding Officiant since 2014."

What began as an unexpected opportunity has since grown into a career filled with meaningful connections, memorable ceremonies, and the opportunity to help couples celebrate one of life's most important milestones.

It's All About the Couple

Ask Barbara about her favorite types of events, and she'll tell you that the setting isn't what matters most. Whether it's a beach, hotel, barn, lighthouse, restaurant, or even a hotel room, her favorite weddings are simply the ones that turn out beautifully for her couples.

"Actually, my favorite event is one that turns out beautifully for my couples," she explains. "It doesn't matter where, the beach or a hotel, a barn or lighthouse, a hotel room or restaurant. What matters is that the couple gets exactly what they want."

And that can mean an intimate ceremony with just the two people exchanging vows or a room full of family and friends. Either way, Barbara wants everyone to have an amazing time.

Although she is ordained, Barbara performs more than traditional religious ceremonies. She specializes in secular, non-denominational, and interfaith weddings, and particularly enjoys learning about the different traditions and cultural customs that are meaningful to the couples she marries. "It's very interesting to see what other cultures do and try to make that very meaningful in the ceremonies that I perform."

It's an approach that recognizes something important about weddings: every couple has their own story, and the ceremony should reflect that.

A Wedding Beneath the Angel Oak

With so many ceremonies behind her, Barbara has accumulated plenty of wonderful memories. One, however, stands out for its unexpected twists and beautiful ending.

While living in South Carolina, Barbara received an early-morning phone call from a man asking if she could marry him and his partner that very day. Naturally, she had a couple of questions before agreeing. "The first one was, are you sober? And the second one was, where do you want to get married?"

His answer was Angel Oak, an extraordinary live oak tree estimated to be more than 700 years old. Barbara agreed to meet them there, with one important reminder: the couple would need to arrange a park permit for the ceremony.

When Barbara arrived at the designated time, however, the park was closed. The couple eventually arrived, understandably disappointed that their original plans had fallen through. Fortunately, Barbara had already discovered an alternative nearby.

They ended up at a marina, with a long boardwalk extending out over the lake. The sun was setting, the moon was beginning to rise, and the surroundings provided an unexpectedly beautiful backdrop for their ceremony.

There was a special reason for the urgency, too. The groom was about to be deployed, and the couple didn't want him to leave without being married. They had decided to keep the wedding a secret, planning to celebrate with everyone later. Six months after he returned, they did just that. The couple held a wonderful big celebration, and Barbara had the pleasure of marrying them all over again!

It's a lovely reminder that sometimes the most memorable weddings aren't the ones that go exactly according to plan. They're the ones where a little flexibility and a change of scenery lead to something even more special.

A Little Rain Never Stopped a Celebration

Barbara's approach to unexpected circumstances is refreshingly straightforward. Over the years, she's seen weddings start late and outdoor ceremonies turn into rainy-day celebrations. But she's never considered those things reasons to lose sight of what matters.

When asked whether she's ever had a wedding that didn't go as planned, she responds: "I can't think of any one that didn't turn out the way it was supposed to. At every wedding I've done, a couple has been married. Some weddings started late. Some weddings planned for outdoors wound up in the rain. But I've never had one that couldn't be celebrated."

It's a wonderful philosophy, and one that seems to sum up her outlook quite nicely. Plans can change, circumstances can be unpredictable, and sometimes the most beautiful moments happen when you least expect them.

When asked about a career highlight, Barbara points to something a little different from the ceremonies themselves: designing her own website. "I never thought I'd be able to do something like that, and it really turned out beautifully."

It's always satisfying to discover a new skill and accomplish something you once thought was beyond your reach!

Beyond the Wedding Day

Barbara's interests extend well beyond weddings. She's been involved in acting since 1994, appearing in numerous plays throughout the years. During her time in South Carolina, she also joined the company of the Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theatre, enjoying a wonderful five-year run with the group. Although the company closed during the pandemic, it eventually reopened and continues to perform. Barbara, however, had moved to Florida by then.

In 2020, following the passing of her husband, Barbara relocated to Florida to be closer to her children and grandchildren. It's a new chapter in her life, and one she's grateful for.

She currently worships and serves at Community Church of Davie, where she sings with the chancel singers. Music is clearly a meaningful part of her life, and she's always discovering new praise songs. One of her favorites is "The Goodness of God."

And then there's Lola, her very special dachshund. Lola was given to Barbara's husband by their children on Father's Day shortly before he passed away, making her an especially treasured member of the family.

When it comes to entertainment, Barbara enjoys a good mystery. She's an avid audiobook listener and particularly enjoys mysteries, including works by several Christian authors. On television, This Is Us was a longtime favorite (and one that brought a few tears along the way). More recently, she discovered The Sheep Detectives, which has quickly become a favorite; she's already watched it twice!

The People Who Inspire Her

Barbara finds inspiration in two very special people: her daughter and granddaughter. She's watched them overcome significant obstacles and become the people they are today. "I wish I could say I was responsible, but it's truly just them," she says.

It's a lovely sentiment, and one that reflects her appreciation for the individual journeys people take and the strength it takes to overcome life's challenges.

That appreciation for people also comes through when Barbara talks about her fondest memories from her business. Rather than choosing one particular ceremony from the many she's performed, she finds that the most recent weddings often leave the strongest impression. "It's probably always the last one," she explains.

Just this past Saturday, she married a lovely couple accompanied by their family. It was a beautiful ceremony, and Barbara was even invited to stay for the reception. "It was truly beautiful and the family was absolutely wonderful."

Making Every Wedding Meaningful

After more than a decade as a wedding officiant, Barbara Pinker continues to find joy in helping couples begin their married lives together. Whether it's an intimate ceremony at a lakeside marina, a traditional celebration surrounded by family, or an interfaith wedding incorporating meaningful cultural traditions, she understands that every couple has their own story to tell.

Her willingness to embrace different traditions, adapt when plans change, and appreciate the people at the heart of every celebration makes her approach refreshingly personal.

And perhaps that's the most important part of what Barbara brings to her work: an appreciation for the people behind the ceremony, a genuine enthusiasm for what she does, and the understanding that a wedding doesn't have to be elaborate or perfectly planned to be extraordinary.

Sometimes all it takes is two people, a meaningful moment, and someone who is happy to help make it official!