Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why use a professional officiant rather than a family member or friend?
Hiring a professional to perform your ceremony is often preferable to having a friend of family member conduct the ceremony for the following reasons:
a. The professional works for you; your family and friends do not. So, we are more likely to fulfill your wishes and not insert our own desires into the ceremony.
b. A professional has significant public speaking experience and has written other ceremonies. While a family member or friend may be well intentioned, they may not have the tools to provide a meaningful ceremony, especially if they suffer from stage fright or are keenly sentimental.
c, Hiring a professional means you do not have to risk alienating another friend or family member who is not chosen to perform the ceremony.
2. Will you help us with our marriage certificate?
You will have to obtain your marriage certificate yourself. I have provided information to get you started on my website. However, after you and your witnesses have signed the marriage certificate, I will file it for you.
3. What are your fees?
I charge $450 for my ceremonies in Los Angeles County, which includes an initial consultation; preparing your ceremony content; responding to your emails and phone calls during the process (and any follow-up that is necessary); travel to your wedding to arrive at least 45 minutes beforehand unless we agree upon an earlier time; working with your wedding planner as necessary; meeting with you briefly at the ceremony to discuss logistics, signing your marriage certificate and obtaining the witness signatures, and filing the wedding certificate (an extra fee applies if you want the certificate mailed certified or overnight mail). I charge an additional $100 for any ceremonies in Ventura and Orange Counties. There is an additional $200 fee for services in Santa Barbara, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
4. Are your fees refundable?
You must pay a $150 deposit in advance of your consultation. The balance of the fee is due two weeks before your ceremony. Once paid, the fees are not refundable. For instance, if you have your consultation and pay the $150, it is not refundable if your plans change. I will make every effort to be available on any new date for your wedding date, but if I am not available, the $150 shall have been earned. Once you pay the $400 fee two weeks before the wedding, it shall no longer be refundable. By that time, I will have done a considerable amount to prepare for your unique ceremony. Again, if the date of the wedding changes in this 2-week period, I will make every effort to be available. But, if I am not available, the $400 fee will not be refunded.
5. Will you help us write our own vows?
It is my experience that if you want to write personal vows, they are best coming from you. Even if you tell me what you want to convey, if it is not in your own words. However, once you have prepared a draft of your vows, I am happy to look them over and give you my thoughts and suggestions.
6. Can we make changes to our ceremony?
Yes! I ask that you try not to make significant changes less than 2 weeks before your wedding, but I am happy to make changes to ensure your desires and dreams are achieved.
