I'm a Salem Witch with a romantic heart and a passion for creating one-of-a-kind ceremonies.
My name is Tara (“Tah-Rah”) McMullen-King (she/her), and I founded Witchy Woman Weddings in 2020 to become the kind of officiant I wish I'd had at my own wedding!
Like many couples, we asked a friend to officiate our ceremony. It seemed like a great idea at the time... but looking back, it's one of my biggest regrets. Instead of something written just for us, we ended up with a ceremony cobbled together from recycled language found online. And honestly... the script was only part of the problem.
I've attended plenty of weddings over the years, and I've seen firsthand how badly the well-meaning friend or family member approach can go. Think about it... would you ask your uncle with no photography experience to photograph your wedding? Would you trust a friend who's never cooked for a crowd to cater your celebration? Then why entrust your ceremony to someone who's never created or officiated one?
Of course, hiring a professional doesn't guarantee a truly personal ceremony, either. Some officiants and Justices of the Peace advertise "custom" ceremonies when they're just swapping names and adding a few personal details to a generic script. I believe you deserve better! Your ceremony isn't just a formality or something to get through before the party... it's the heart of the occasion, whether you're eloping privately or celebrating with a hundred guests.
So, when I created Witchy Woman Weddings... I knew exactly what I wanted to do differently. Today, I combine my passion and talent for writing with my creative intuition and genuine love of love to create fully customized ceremonies, each written entirely from scratch. I take the time to get to know my couples and guide them through the process with genuine care and the calm confidence that comes with experience. Above all, I never forget whose day it is. Your ceremony is about you, not me... and I consider it both a privilege and a responsibility to make sure it feels that way.
Professional Training & Experience
I’m an ordained minister of American Marriage Ministries (AMM) and a member of the International Association of Professional Wedding Officiants (IAPWO), and my work has been highlighted and featured by both organizations. I’ve also pursued advanced training in ceremony officiation, event design, and wedding planning, including intensive coursework through the New York Institute of Art and Design.
Before founding Witchy Woman Weddings, I had more than 15 years of experience in event planning, design, and coordination, working on everything from professional conferences and fundraising galas to psychic fairs and personalized celebrations. That background means I bring more than just my skills as an officiant to your wedding... I’m also a calm, experienced presence who understands how all the moving pieces come together to make an event run smoothly!
Spiritual Path & Practice
I’m an Eclectic Witch and Priestess, initiated into a lineage of British Traditional Witchcraft deeply entwined with England’s rich esoteric heritage, with roots tracing back to the origins of modern Wicca. My personal practice draws upon a rich tapestry of divinatory and magickal traditions, including cartomancy, tasseography, rune work, candle magick, and herbalism. Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of studying with some of the most distinguished and influential figures in contemporary witchcraft and magick, deepening my knowledge through years of dedicated study, specialized instruction, and immersive workshops. This combination of formal training and an ever-evolving personal spiritual practice informs my approach to ceremony, allowing me to weave ritual and symbolism into meaningful experiences grounded in genuine knowledge, reverence for tradition, and thoughtful intention.
My Salem Love Story
Born and raised in Connecticut, I moved to Boston after graduating from Smith College, a liberal arts college for women in Northampton, Massachusetts. In 2015, I moved up to the Witch City... and met my soulmate two weeks later! Three years after our first date here in Salem (which took place on a Friday the 13th, of course), we had our own fabulous "spooky season" wedding at The House of the Seven Gables. We currently live in a very old home in downtown Salem with our two black cats - Pugsley Addams and Darth Vader - and a few benevolent spirits.
Fun Facts About Me
✨ For my astrology folks out there, my Big Three are Aquarius sun, Pisces moon, and Virgo rising.
✨ I'm a witch with two black cats, 2 giant crystal balls, 50 tarot decks, a husband named Stephen King, and a cemetery at the end of my street (I sound suspiciously like a fictional character... but I assure you I'm quite real!).
✨ While I've officially lost count of how many tattoos I have, my collection includes portraits of Mae West, Dolly Parton, Elvira, and Divine (my personal Mount Rushmore).
✨ I'm an ambidextrous ginger, I can clap with one hand, and the #1 song in America on the day I was born was “Le Freak” by Chic (which tracks in umpteen ways).
✨ My comfort movies are The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
✨ I have an ever-growing collection of enamel pins and an unapologetic love for platform Crocs, preferably with spikes and studs.
✨ In my free time, I'm always up for a trivia night, I dominate at music bingo, and I will never say no to karaoke.
✨ A few of my favorite indulgences include Laphroaig Scotch, vegetarian Taco Bell, Aussie Magic cheese, Snickerdoodles (soft... not crunchy), and thick mocha milkshakes from Bill & Bob's (IYKYK).
✨ I’m a skilled painter and dancer, played violin for many years, and I'm a retired performer with the Boston League of Women Wrestlers (yes, really).
✨ I serve on two local boards here in Salem - as President of the Salem Playhouse, where we've transformed a former church into a performing arts venue; and as Secretary of the Sisterhood of Salem, a networking and empowerment community for local women.