Join me once more as we talk about marriage celebrant security, something that’s both mundane and critical: how we share marriage paperwork with our clients.

Traditionally, we’ve relied on email—it’s fast, familiar, and convenient. But the catch is it’s not safe. Emails stick around, unencrypted and vulnerable to breaches, and the sensitive information in marriage paperwork deserves better.

That’s why Enclosed, a free service for Celebrant Institute members, is a game-changer. It’s the simplest, most secure way to send sensitive documents without the hassle of usernames, passwords, or software installations.

Sarah and I liked this so much that we’re paying for it so Celebrant Institute members can access and use it in their business every day.

Let me unpack for you why Enclosed should be part of your celebrant toolkit.

The Hidden Dangers of Email

Email is fine for sending schedules or saying, “Great working with you!” But for sensitive documents like NOIMs or marriage certificates/DONLIMs to check, it’s a problem waiting to happen.

Here’s why:

1. Emails Don’t Disappear

Even when you delete an email, it often lingers on servers or in backups. That means your clients’ personal information could be accessible long after the ceremony. A forgotten email today could be a security nightmare tomorrow. Data kept is data that can be stolen or compromised.

2. Easy Targets for Hackers

Email accounts are one of the most frequently targeted entry points for hackers. If a hacker gets into your or your clients’ inbox, they’ve hit a goldmine of personal details that could lead to identity theft.

3. What’s in That Paperwork?

Think about the details in a marriage document: full names, addresses, birthdates, and more. This isn’t just “sensitive” information—it’s the kind of data that, if leaked, could seriously harm your clients and your reputation.

Why Enclosed is the Answer

Enclosed is a beautifully simple solution: upload a document, get a unique link, and share it.

No usernames. No passwords. No software or app installations. Just a secure link that expires after the time you choose: 1 hour, 1 day, or 1 week.

Yes, Enclosed gives you the option to set a password for extra security. But in my humble opinion, it’s often unnecessary. The unique link itself is enough. The chances of a hacker guessing or intercepting that link in the short time it’s active are incredibly low. You’re already leaps ahead in security compared to email.

This isn’t just a gimmick. Enclosed uses AES-GCM 256-bit encryption—essentially, military-grade security. From the moment you upload a file, it’s encrypted, ensuring only your intended recipient can view it.

Here’s the kicker: neither Sarah nor I (Josh) can see what’s uploaded. We don’t have an admin dashboard, a backdoor, or even a clue about who’s using the service. It’s designed this way deliberately. The only people who can access your files are you and the person you share the link with. That’s it.

Sarah and I are, however, using this every day for sending NOIMs, DONLIMs, OCMs, and other important documents to our clients and couples. We’ve been using it for months to make sure it works as we hope for and how we would promise it to you.

Why Celebrants Need This Level of Security

1. Protect Your Clients’ Trust

When couples hire you, they’re not just paying for a ceremony—they’re trusting you with deeply personal moments and details. Handling their paperwork securely reinforces that trust.

2. A Modern Professional Edge

Using a service like Enclosed isn’t just about avoiding risks; it’s about showing you’re ahead of the curve. It says, “I care about your privacy and I’m using the best tools available.”

3. Meet Legal Standards

In an era of tightening data protection laws, secure document handling isn’t just best practice—it’s becoming a legal requirement in many places. With Enclosed, you’re not just being safe; you’re being compliant.

A Quick Guide to Using Enclosed

  1. Go to the Website
    Visit https://enclosed.celebrant.institute and save it as a bookmark on your device. It works on all computers, mobile devices, tablets, phones, along with Windows, Mac, and Linux computers.
  2. Upload Your Files
    Drag and drop the documents you need to send. Select how long you want the link to be active, one hour, day, week, or month, keeping in mind that many couples are busy so one hour or day might not be long enough.
  3. Decide on a Password (Optional)
    If you want an extra layer of security, set a password. But remember, the unique link created at the end is usually secure enough. This is called security by obscurity.
  4. Copy the Link and Share It
    Share the link via email or messaging. Let your client know the link’s expiration time.

Why Enclosed is a Good Choice

Other secure file-sharing services often require accounts, apps, or learning curves that clients find annoying. Enclosed cuts out the complexity. It’s a one-and-done process that feels just as easy as email—but infinitely more secure.

Encliosed is well document, open source, and you can even run your own version of it if you like. Find it on Github and it’s documentation is really well done and worth reading whether you want to use our install or make your own. We’re paying to host it for members to use as part of their regular membership fee.

Sending sensitive marriage paperwork securely isn’t just about avoiding worst-case scenarios—it’s about raising the bar for how we serve our clients. Enclosed makes it ridiculously easy to handle this part of your job with professionalism and care.

It’s free for Celebrant Institute members, so what are you waiting for?

Head to https://enclosed.celebrant.institute and start sharing securely today.

Your clients—and your future self—will thank you.