Austin Wedding Ministers and Wedding Officiants

Sam was born in Arkansas, educated in Texas, lived and raised his family in Austin and after pastoring churches in Pennsylvania and Oklahoma, moved back to Austin in 2001. He is an ordained Presbyterian minister, and currently serves in an Associate Pastor role for a local congregation. Sam and Gretta, together since 1972, love to cook, party, hike, camp, and travel to fun places like Belize, Guatemala and Sicily. "We are blessed to live here in Austin with all of our children and grandchildren. Besides my family, my other passion is cycling. I am proud to say that I have ridden in the Hill Country Ride for AIDS the past 9 years," says Sam.

Spurred by a lifelong love of the outdoors and, more broadly, the planet, Sam states, "Much of my joy in recent years has come from the conscious practice of a simpler, greener lifestyle."  A member of the local Advisory Board for the Institute of Interfaith Dialog, Sam has actively participated in local interfaith activities. He was honored in Fall 2007, to be a keynote speaker at the Iftar "Ramadan Fast Breaking" dinner at the Hyatt Hotel on Lake Lady Bird. Sam has also recently traveled to Turkey and Tajikistan in an effort to promote cross-cultural and religious understanding. In March of 2011 Sam and Gretta took their family on a much-anticipated trip to Italy and Sicily (Sam’s dad was born in Sicily.). Sam’s most memorable trip experience was climbing the slick steps to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in the rain with 10 year-old granddaughter Hannah.

So, whether at home in Austin with local commitments, at his clients' weddings, or volunteering on an international level, Sam delights in weaving culture, religion, ideas, and opinions together for richer marriages, and a more peaceful world.

Some of Sam’s favorite quotes on life, love and marriage

	Marriage To Tanya, By Wendell Berry From "The Selected Poems of Wendell Berry" …We hurt, and are hurt,. and have each other for healing. It is healing. It is never whole.
Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog , Taylor Mali …Love makes messes.  Love leaves you little surprises here and there.  Love needs lots of cleaning up after.
	From "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams …Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.
From Across the Universe, Lennon and McCartney Sounds of laughter shades of life are ringing through my open ears exciting and inviting me Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns It calls me on and on across the universe
	From Walt Whitman's "Song of the Open Road" …Afoot and lighthearted, take to the open road,  Healthy, free, the world before you,… …Say only to one another:  Camerado, I give you my hand!  I give you my love, more precious than money,  I give you myself before preaching or law:  Will you give me yourself?  Will you come travel with me?  Shall we stick by each other as long as we live?

PRE-MARITAL CONSULTATIONS AVAILABLE

Sam Riccobene is available for pre-marital consultations for couples who wish to explore more deeply with Sam their potential for a happy, productive marriage. Sam uses an adaptation of a family systems approach to relationships and in three, one-hour sessions works with couples on such issues as how your parents feel about your marriage, the model for healthy marriage they gave you as children growing up, how you are currently dealing with conflict, what you think will make you happily married, your plans for children, adoption, medical and financial considerations.

Sam is not a certified therapist or pastoral counselor but as an ordained Presbyterian clergyperson, Sam has used this approach with numerous couples over the years. Sam believes all couples should consider pre-marital counseling. Through these basic conversations about your future together, he can get to know you better before the wedding and can make referrals to professional counselors if needed.

Sam's consultation fees are available upon request and a discount is offered if you book your wedding with Austin Weddings Unlimited.