Frequently asked Question & Answers

1.  Q  "HOW DOES YOUR SERVICE STAND OUT?"

A What makes my services stand out? Well, there are a few things. First, and probably most important is that I am an ordained Minister....and that's it!! I do not offer any other services but performing a ceremony as well as help prepare you for marriage. I do not do makeup, cook, provide music or take pictures. I leave that up to the other professionals who specialize in that. With my ordination, I am legally able to marry couples throughout the world.  I was NOT ordained online or by having a document signed.  I have gone to school, putting many hours, days, weeks, months, and years into my service and I believe it shows.

I made a promise when I started my business: I would never jeopardize my commitment to my couples. Part of that commitment means I never book more than one ceremony per day. Ceremonies rarely begin on time, so booking multiple ceremonies on the same day could mean taking the risk of being late — and that is something I am not willing to do on one of the biggest days of my couple’s lives!  I work closely with my couples, giving 100% of myself, in creating a personalized, memorable ceremony that fits their wants, desires, and most importantly, their personalities. My couples pick out every word said on their special day, making their ceremony...all about them. My couples will NEVER receive someone else's ceremony where just the names are changed! Also, being a minister I am able to provide a premarital counseling course for my couples. 

While I am certainly not for everyone, I am the right fit for the discerning Couple who wants an original script and vows that reflect their love and who consider the ceremony to be a vital part of their wedding day. If you're wanting a close relationship with the person who will be performing the ceremony that will join you and your partner in marriage, and be proactive in every part of planning your ceremony, then give me a call. I'd love to talk with you. :)

2.  Q  "WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO?"

  A  I love everything about being an Officiant!!  I truly do.  From creating the ceremony that is perfect for my couple to my couple standing in front of me on their wedding day.  The whole process is something I cherish. 

3.  Q  "WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A COUPLE LOOKING TO HIRE A PROVIDER IN YOUR AREA OF WORK?"

A  Go with an Officiant that you feel you have that immediate connection with.  I know there are many Officiants out there, that charge all different prices, but go with the Officiant you know you can talk with, share with, feel comfortable with and trust will have your best interest at heart. I tell my couples all the time, I'm not for everyone but for the ones I am, you have all of me!

Also, DO YOUR RESEARCH and make sure the Officiant you hire knows all the ins and outs of the legal process as well.  You'd be surprised how many don't know this!

4.  Q  "DO YOU CHARGE EXTRA FOR "ADD ONS" WITH YOUR CEREMONIES?"

A  NO!  My quote to you will always include writing, performing your ceremony, filing your license as well as travel. There are never any hidden costs and I will NOT charge for additional services in your ceremony (like unity ceremonies, readings, etc.).  If you're having a Unity Ceremony, the couple is responsible for purchasing the items required for the ceremony (ie: candles, sand, stones, etc.).   

5. Q  "WHAT IS YOUR TYPICAL PROCESS FOR WORKING WITH A NEW COUPLE?"

 A  First, I like to meet with my couples. I want my couples to get a feel for who I am.  Because of COVID-19 now I prefer we video call by FaceTime, Zoom or Skype.  My goal is for you to feel as a friend is marrying you on your wedding day and not a stranger you met online.  Once we've "met", I will hold your wedding day for 2 days. If I do not hear back from you, I will put your wedding date back on my calendar. If you would like me to officiate your ceremony, I will send you my contract, and once that, and your deposit has been received, I will send you all the options we discussed to make your ceremony all about the two of you.  Then the fun begins, working together in preparing your ceremony, personalizing every step to fit your personality.   I am there for my couple 24/7 and will do whatever is needed to ensure your wedding ceremony is perfect!

​6.  Q  "CAN'T I JUST HAVE A FRIEND MARRY US?"

  ​A  My answer to this is, "Yes, you can. It's your day and you can do whatever you want, BUT:  Do you really want a friend or a relative or person with limited experience, lead the most important moment of your life? "

I've been performing weddings for over 8 years and there are things I am still learning, but my experiences allow me to give my couple a flawless ceremony and one that they will cherish.  My personal opinion is that it is a great honor for the couple to ask family and friends to come up and do a "reading", but not perform the entire ceremony.  

Now, if it is important for you to have a friend or relative perform your ceremony, but are worried about all the details, I am available for "ghostwriting services" and will work with the person you choose, ensuring they know the details of a wedding ceremony as well as all the legal work with regards to filing your marriage license. You get the best of both worlds then! 

7.  Q  "WHY DOES IT COST SO MUCH FOR 20 - 30 MINUTES OF WORK?"

 A  It is completely understandable for couples and their guests to assume officiants earn an unusually high amount of money for simply prompting the couple through their vows and pronouncing them married, but that is only part of the story, the most visible part.  Competent officiants invest time before the wedding gathering the pieces together and ensuring the desired flow of the ceremony is there. Time may be spent helping the couple customize vows, decide between a unity candle or a sand ceremony, and/or writing the opening words, a homily and a blessing. Ceremony composition is far more time-consuming than the joyful occasion itself.  Officiants are often present well before the service to calm nerves or confer with a wedding consultant, the photographer, and other wedding vendors.  I honestly believe that money is not the main issue. The Officiant's fee is probably one of the least costs of your wedding day. 

Officiants are also responsible for ensuring accurate completion of the marriage license and submitting it to the appropriate county clerk office within the matter of a few days and there are travel and/or postage expenses associated with this responsibility. Not to mention travel. Sometimes we are traveling 6 hours, round trip, for a wedding. You're talking 300 miles for a single wedding so we have the expenses of wear and tear on our vehicle as well. 

Wedding officiating is a business with accompanying expenses. Officiants must advertise, maintain home offices, have internet access, make long-distance phone calls, and travel to the ceremony among other costs.

Your officiant is a professional, every bit as much as your caterer, your DJ/Band, and your photographer.  Your officiant leads your wedding ceremony and is the main reason you can get married!

8.  Q  "WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE?"

      A  I am a perfectionist. I ALWAYS return a phone call or email just as soon as I can and pride myself on giving my couples the perfect ceremony! All I ask for in return is respect and an understanding that I perform multiple weddings a week and that it is important to get their information for their ceremony back in a timely manner and not wait till the day before. I completely understand how busy my couples are but when we talk, they understand how I run my ceremonies and what I need from them, and when I need it back. If they can not commit to what I need, then it might be best for them to search out another officiant. When I see my couple fully committing to selecting their ceremony, and giving everything to their marriage, I will go above and beyond for them.

9..  Q "DO YOU PERFORM SAME-SEX MARRIAGES"

​       A  You bet I do! I am honored to be a part of ANY couple, who share a deep love for one another, wedding ceremony!  I truly believe that there is no power on heaven or earth that can come between two people who love each other so much that they want to commit themselves to each other in the amazing partnership of marriage!  

10. Q "IS A REHEARSAL REALLY NECESSARY?"

​      A  Couples have different feelings on this issue.  Some couples find that a rehearsal is necessary and feel it is an important 'part of the process. Some brides take comfort in knowing just what will happen. It doesn't matter if you have a small bridal party (just the couple) or a large bridal party, in my opinion, if it makes you happy, Then do it. Now with that said, if you have hired a "Day of Event Coordinator," then they usually run the rehearsal and my service really isn't needed. Your coordinator will take care of everything being a rehearsal is more for layout and placement. Your ceremony is NEVER read at a rehearsal. If you do not have a coordinator, then I can help direct you and your bridal party on the ins and outs of your ceremony. I have loads of experience and even offer you lots of unique options for your ceremony layout as well.