Questions & Answers

• How far are you willing to travel? Is there a travel fee? There is no travel fee for weddings within a 30 mile travel area. When I go very long distances, there is an extra travel fee..

• What is your event cancellation policy? No one has ever cancelled an event! If there is sufficient notice, I would refund money paid. If it is closer to the event, perhaps half refund. I would work it out individually with each couple..

• What is your customer satisfication cancellation policy? All the couples I have married have been extremely happy with my services. Many have remained connected through counseling and just by keeping in touch. Many have referred me to their friends and relatives. .

• What are your standard payment terms? Usually people like to just pay me up front so they an cross one more thing off their hectic wedding planning lists. Sometimes couples pay me half when they contract with me and the balance on the day of the ceremony. If other payment arrangements need to be made, I'm happy to work with the couples circumstances and negotiate payment amounts and plans..

• What makes you different from other local wedding officiants? Why should someone hire you? I do so love to accommodate the particular needs, personalities and desires of the people getting married. Each ceremony is as personal and meaningful as we can make it. I am interested in seeing the best start for the couple and work to enhance their loving relationship. To these ends I am very flexible and open to negotiate whatever is needed in terms of help, time, ceremony elements, advice, counseling, fees, rehearsals, etc.!! In hiring me you will get completely attentive, focused and personalized service. People always compliment me on how natural, original, elegant, special and beautiful my ceremonies are. .

• What documents do I need to bring to our first meeting? The first meeting is often the free pre-wedding consultation where we go over the options in my booklet and I get a sense of you and your desires. There are no documents required for this. You will need to bring the license on the wedding day for the witnesses and me to sign..

• How long after the ceremony do you file for the official marriage license? After the ceremony, the license is sent in to the County Clerk's office the next day that there is mail service..

• Will you marry couples of different faiths or previous divorce? Yes, I often do so. Being an Interfaith Minister means I honor all religions and beliefs, or none for those who prefer a non-religious ceremony. I can create non-denominational ceremonies, and also I like to incorporate elements of different faiths in ceremonies for interfaith couples. I also like creating and officiating ceremonies which feel special and sacred without using "God" words. Non-denominational and inter-dominational ceremonies are fine for previously divorced, first timers, as well as gay couples and re-commitment of vows for anniversaries..

• What kind of pre-wedding counseling is required, if any? None is required, but as I am a licensed Marriage Family Child Counselor, I do offer pre-marital (and marital) counseling. I use a very excellent and thorough program call "Prepare and Enrich" to help couples get off to a good start with solid foundations in their expectations, communications, etc. .

• How many wedding do you officiate a year? I would estimate that I officiate at least 15 to 25 a year - more in some years. .

• Can we read or hear your ceremony before our wedding day? Of course! I create the ceremony with your help and input. From many possible ideas and wordings offered in my booklet, couples choose the structure and language they want which reflects their values, personalities and desires..

• Will you allow us to write our own vows? I always encourage couples to write their own vows. What you promise each other is the heart and soul of the wedding ceremony and the basis for your married life together. There are many examples of vows to jump start your own ideas, or to choose from, with my help if needed. .

• Do you have a back up officiant on call, in case of an emergency? I have never missed a ceremony, but one never knows when an emergency may occur. I do know quite a few other ministers in my area who would be glad to step in if needed and called upon..

• Do you normally attend the reception? This is entirely optional depending upon the wishes of the couple. Most often I stay for a while, participate with pictures if wanted and visit with relatives. Often I do not stay for sit-down dinners and the entire reception unless specifically invited to do so..

• How long does the ceremony usually last? Ceremonies generally are between 15 to 30 minutes long, depending upon what the couple want. Each wedding is as unique or traditional as the couple wants - and can be as simple or complex, short or long as desired..

• In which states and communities are you licensed to officiate ceremonies? I officiate weddings in Northern California - mostly the Contra Costa and Alameda counties and also all San Francisco, east bay areas. I've also traveled to places such as Monterey/Carmel, Lake Tahoe, Pacifica, Napa, St. Helena, and.

Return to business brochure