01
Wedding Ceremonies
For couples who value conviction.
A ceremony with substance, elegance and feeling — in German, English or fully bilingual. No templates, no modules. Every element placed with intent.
Marie-Luise Steiner · Wedding Celebrant · Berlin
Over 800 ceremonies · formerly Standesamt I
Golden pineapple,notanother apple —your story, told right.
Timeless. Personal. Extraordinary.
02 · About me
Layered.
Almost twenty years ago, on a trip to New York, I spotted a golden porcelain pineapple in a small shop window. An object of quiet symbolism — rare, elegant, with a fine sense of humour. It came home with me to Berlin. And stayed.
Ever since, it has travelled with me as an emblem of what I stand for: depth, style, personality, presence. Unusual at first glance — layered at second sight.
My own path led from Weimar through a high-school year in Maine, then into banking, political science and international economics, and on to the German Bundestag as a lobbyist. In 2017 it led me to the Berlin registry office.
That was where my true calling began: accompanying people through one of the most meaningful moments of their lives. After more than 800 ceremonies — moving, loud, quiet, glamorous, deeply personal — I was appointed head of the team at Standesamt I in Berlin.
But something was missing: the freedom to make ceremonies not only correct, but unforgettable. That is how Golden Pineapple Berlin came to be.
Timeless. Personal. Extraordinary.
03 · Offerings
Ceremonies ofsubstance.
02
Elopements & Intimate Ceremonies
For lovers without a guest list.
Elopements, micro-weddings, private ceremonies. In Berlin, on the Baltic coast, in the Alps, or wherever is yours. Crafted with the same precision as the larger version — only quieter.
03
Milestone Celebrations
For people with a story.
Anniversaries, namings, milestone birthdays, company anniversaries. For everything worth marking out loud — because it rarely happens, and it counts.
“I don't write speeches. I craftceremonies that carry.”
04 · What I stand for
Ceremoniesthat carry.
- 01
I don't write speeches to please. I craft ceremonies that hold.
- 02
A wedding at this level takes more than emotion — it takes conviction, discretion and dramaturgical precision.
- 03
Your moment should move — but never slip away.
05 · Process
Structurethat carries.
- 1
Enquiry & first meeting
date, place, first direction
You send me the date, the venue and a few notes about your planned ceremony. In a short, personal conversation we check whether attitude, ambition and chemistry align. I take on a limited number of ceremonies each year — collaboration arises only where we consciously choose each other.
- 2
The deep conversation
the foundation of your ceremony
We meet somewhere that suits you — private, discreet, undisturbed. The conversation lasts two to four hours. I work with a clear structure, precise questions and a trained ear. We explore dynamics, turning points, fault lines, your social fabric, and the unspoken expectations already in the room.
- 3
Concept & dramaturgy
your speech is composed, not written
On the basis of our conversations I develop a ceremony concept built for you alone. No templates, no modules, no recurring phrases. Structure, rhythm, arc, timing — every element is placed with intent. The final text is ready around two weeks before the wedding day.
- 4
Ceremony architecture
every detail aligned
We shape the full frame: dramaturgical opening, musical transitions, positioning in the room, the ring moment, the role of your witnesses, the timing of your vows. Reduction over excess — effect over length.
- 5
The wedding day
you simply are — I carry the rest
On the day itself I arrive early. I check the technology, the acoustics, the choreography; I coordinate with your vendors and hold the frame. You don't organise anything. You just show up. When the moment begins, everything is already in place.
06 · Voices
What peoplewrite to me.
Our wedding was small — just fourteen people in the woods. Marie-Luise found exactly the right register: no microphones, no theatre. She spoke so quietly and so wisely that you could hear everyone breathe deeper. That was the moment we will remember.
Paula & Ruth
Elopement · 2024
We thought: “Please, not one of those speeches you always hear.” Marie-Luise delivered the opposite — one that could only have fit us. Our guests still laugh about the bit with the fridge.
Johanna & Ben
Wedding ceremony · 2025
We were afraid of kitsch. Ten minutes into our first conversation it was obvious: she doesn't do kitsch. What she does is better — honest, sharp, exactly right for us.
Clara & Henriette
Wedding ceremony · 2026
08 · Questions & Answers
What couplesoften ask.
Where do you work?
Berlin is home — I officiate across Berlin, Brandenburg and Germany at large. Travel within Europe and beyond is entirely possible; logistics and travel arrangements are discussed at our first meeting.
Do you officiate in English and bilingually?
Yes. I create ceremonies in German, English, or fully bilingual. I work regularly with international couples and make sure both languages stay equally close to the people in the room — not only to protocol.
How long does the whole process take?
Ideally three to six months before the date. We need at least one deep conversation of two to four hours, a writing phase, and a round of refinement. Short-notice requests and elopements are possible — please do ask.
What sets you apart from other celebrants?
More than 800 ceremonies, former head of Standesamt I Berlin, and a literary approach to craft: structure, rhythm, timing — every element placed with intent. No pathos, no kitsch, no second-hand embarrassment.
What does a ceremony cost?
Fees are always individual because scope, travel and occasion vary. As a guide: wedding ceremonies from €1,800, elopements from €1,200, milestone celebrations on request. You receive a binding quote after our first meeting.
How does payment work?
After our first meeting you receive a written proposal. On confirmation, a 30 % deposit is due, the remainder after the ceremony — all invoiced, without high-pressure prepayment schemes.
May we read the speech in advance?
Of course. Around two weeks before the date you receive the final text. We refine together what stays, what goes and what still needs polishing. The speech is, and remains, yours.
Do you officiate occasions beyond weddings?
Yes — anniversaries, namings, milestone birthdays, company anniversaries, welcomes. Anywhere a moment deserves words that truly fit.
07 · Get in touch
Tell meabout you.
A few lines are enough. I reply within 48 hours — usually faster.
hallo@goldenpineapple.berlin