Questions I have been asked....

1. How long will my ceremony be?

Without musical interludes, a traditional ceremony is approximately 20 to 30 minutes long.

However, if readings or special rituals are included, they each add about 5 minutes to the ceremony.

It really depends on the couple how long their ceremony will last.

2. Do we have to sign a contract and pay a retainer?

 It is my intention to provide you with the most professional officiating. The thoroughness of a contract protects all of us, and ensures that your needs and expectations, as well as my own, are completely met.

  A 50% retainer payment is required since I book this date and time as yours and yours alone. Other services on this date may be referred and or turned down.

3. When is payment due?

Payment of the remaining balance  for weddings and ceremonies is due two weeks prior to the event. To preserve the emotional integrity of your wedding and to avoid any possible disruption of your celebration, I feel strongly that all business must be transacted prior to your wedding day.

4. What are the fees for a ceremony?

For most ceremonies fees are between $250.00 and $500.00, with the following included in your booked ceremony:

Unlimited telephone and e-mail contact

Document Service

A commemorative wedding certificate

The Officiant is generally responsible for his or her basic transportation to and from the ceremony location. Any additional travel charges (such as air or rail fare) required beyond basic transportation are generally the responsibility of the wedding couple; please be certain that you discuss any such charges with the Officiant prior to settling your account with them.

4.a. How come the price is so high!!

 Many people are surprised by how "expensive" wedding fees are with wedding officiants. But, if you reflect on the realities, it is not surprising. A wedding officiant does not have a congregation. Therefore, they do not have a salary. They also do not have the built-in clientele of the church membership. Wedding Officiants also have expenses of running a business. The Officiant fees should be considered a very small but very necessary part of the overall expense of the occasion.

My wedding ceremony services are moderately priced and competitive with other professional wedding ministers and officiants.

I find that I have been one of the most affordable Ministers to officiate wedding ceremonies in the State of Colorado. I'm trying to keep my wedding officiant rates affordable without compromising my priority of personalized attention to each couple and their own wedding.

5. Do you attend the rehearsal?

   I am always happy to attend your wedding rehearsal, which are scheduled around weddings.  I charge to do rehearsals, because for me it is like doing the wedding twice, but for you, it is worth it to have your Wedding Day be less stressful and go very smoothly.   This is necessary because rehearsals usually take place at times when another wedding could be scheduled.

Not all ceremonies require a rehearsal.

Rehearsal with  Minister $125.00  (up to 1 hour)

6. How far in advance should I confirm  with you to officiate my  wedding ?

 There are only a handful of officiates available to conduct the thousands of ceremonies that take place in the area each year.The best wedding professionals are booked up to two years in advance.

 I have weddings booked that are more than a year away....so do not delay. 

7. What should we discuss with you at our consultation meeting?

    It’s a good idea to be prepared for this meeting - there are a number of things to consider. If you did not find out everything you wanted to know from our telephone conversation(s)  or my e-mail(s)-- be sure that you ask any questions you have, so that you can make a decision.

First,

Confirm your ceremony date, ask about how the date is reserved.

Do be prepared to pay a retainer at the time of your consultation, if you have decided to hire me as your officiant.   A retainer of fifty percent (50%) is required to book your date.

Second

I go over all the details of the ceremony, (Which ever type they choose) according to their wishes. Some of these details are: Maid/Matron of Honor & Bridesmaids, Best Man & Groomsmen, Flower Girls & Ring Bearers, Ushers, Parents, Children, Musicians & Soloists, Readers & Readings, Prayers, Candles, Vows, Ring Ceremony, Rose Ceremony, Message on Love, Unity Symbolic Acts (Candles, Sand, Lasso, Coins)....

My interests and practices involve human spirituality rather than any particular religion, and my ceremonies reflect respect for the power of love, human dignity, welfare, and a strong commitment to honor and integrity.

Third---

Attire worn by the wedding officiant is an important part of helping to set the tone for the wedding ceremony.

I am prepared to wear a traditional  ministerial-style robe with vestments (I have several color combinations), a business suit, more casual clothing ,or theme wedding clothing, according to your wishes.  I have been asked and will continue to respectfully decline to do "naked in the park" ceremonies.

Fourth:

What ever else you would like to discuss.

8. Are you legally qualified to perform  weddings?

 Yes, I am legal in all 50 states. I am authorized to perform all ministerial duties such as: baptisms, marriages, funerals, and to conduct church worship and meetings. Some States and Cities have special requirements for the Officiant in order to be able to perform the ceremony. I have undergone getting these requirements for couples in the past.

 Entitlement or authorization means that an individual is either entitled or authorized to perform the solemnization of marriages by the ordaining entity and the respective state.

 COLORADO
Marriages may be performed by any minister. --- Ministers must send a marriage certificate to the county clerk. --- For questions see the county clerk.

9. Are any restrictions on flash photography  during the ceremony?

As your celebrant, there are many thing I do to ensure the success of your wedding ceremony, many of which will be unknown to your guests or even to you. I will therefore be working with your other professionals such as DJs, musicians, photographers and videographers, wedding planners and coordinators, to help them understand the unique opportunities of my ceremony.

This is critically important if you are to have a beautiful photo album and wedding video.  If your photographers and videographers don't know what to expect, they're going to miss some of the ceremony's most glorious and unrepeatable moments.  They will have one chance and one chance only to record these images.  Knowing what to expect and when to expect it are therefore very important.

I do not set any rules about the photographer. I say, whatever the couple wants.  After all, it is those pictures that you will look at for years to come, those pictures will remind you of your Wedding Day over and over again each time you look at them, and you want the best shot the photographer/videographer can get!

10.  How do we get our Colorado marriage  license?

According to Colorado law, you may obtain your marriage license in any county, as long as your marriage will take place in Colorado. The following information is based on Colorado statutes, and is therefore applicable statewide.

Applicants need not be residents of Colorado, however, legal identification for proof of age is required. Be prepared to present one of the following: a valid Drivers' License from any state, original or certified copy of your Birth Certificate with an embossed seal,   Military I.D. (with picture, signature and age of bearer), or currently valid Passport. Social Security number is required.

 Both persons should be present to apply for the license. If this is not possible, you will need to obtain an absentee application from any of the court houses. The unavailable person must fill out the form, signed in the presence of a notary. The affidavit and identification for the absent member should be presented to the Clerk and Recorder at the time of application.

The legal age without parental consent is 18 for both persons. If under the age of 18, and over 16, both parents or legal guardians are required to be present. Under 16 requires a Judicial Court Order.

If divorced, that person will need to have the date, place and court where the final decree was granted. If the bride-to-be had a change of name granted, at the time of the divorce, it will be necessary for her to have the civil action number.

The Marriage License Fee is $20.00 and most counties will accept cash only. The license may be used immediately, and is valid statewide for 30 days from the date of issue. Additional information may be obtained by calling any of the offices for the Clerk of the Court.

11. What about alternative weddings/committment type ceremonies?

In the modern world it is often a challenge to find a minister who will perform rituals outside of a fairly narrow mainstream.

I will perform nondenominational or pagan rites of passage, such as weddings, funerals, child naming / blessing ceremonies and similar rituals, as long as no laws are broken.  I believe such rituals are important to unite the spiritual and emotional depth of our lives in our social world.

12. What are late fees?

I may have to leave after your ceremony/rehearsal  to officiate at another wedding, or to conduct another wedding rehearsal. However, as a courtesy to guests who are waiting, the service should start at approximately the scheduled time.

I do charge "late starting fees" at $25.00 per hour or fraction of an hour, after the first 15 minutes, if the ceremony or rehearsal do not start at the agreed upon times. This is to be paid in cash prior to the start of any service, should the start time be delayed.

Late fees will occur if a ceremony does not restart after an inclement weather site relocation  within 15 minutes of such moving to an inside area. When the wedding ceremony is held outdoors, an alternate site must be provided, in case of inclement weather.

Please inform your venue, wedding party, and/or wedding planner/coordinator (if you are using one) of these late fee charges, so that they will be aware that the wedding ceremony and/or rehearsal must start on time.

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