Pride offers the chance for couples to take their relationship to a deeper level by hosting an interfaith commitment ceremony on Saturday evening.

Rabbi Joshua Lesser of Congregation Bet Haverim and Rev. Josh Noblitt of St. Mark’s United Methodist church will lead this year’s service in the Piedmont Park Pavilion.

In his third year of leading commitment ceremony, Lesser has married more people than he will ever know as 100 couples braved cold wet weather last year and even more participated the year before.

Commitment Ceremony celebrates partners

“I think during Pride it’s really important to be able to affirm people’s commitment in a forward thinking, positive way. To be able to do so in a way where other people are around is very important, especially for people who live together outside of Atlanta where they may not have access to all the resources that we enjoy here,” Lesser says.

The format is a mixture of traditional and contemporary services create specifically for the commitment ceremony.

“I think we came up with a very meaningful ceremony in the time frame that we were giving and it’s going to be very similar to last year,” Lesser says.

There is a registration fee for the ceremony, but no dress code. Those who register in advance also get a certificate with their names.

“It’s great for people to bring rings or something to exchange, but otherwise it’s fine. Some people get really dressed up, but other people have been hanging out in the park all day and they come as they are and that’s okay, too,” Lesser says. “And if I was them I would bring a camera and a friend to take pictures.”

Commitment Ceremony
Saturday, Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m.
Piedmont Park Pavilion
$25 in advance, $35 onsite
www.atlantapride.org