Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and their answers.
Q: "How long have you been an officiant?"
A: I was ordained through the Universal Life Church in 1996.
Q: "What kinds of ceremonies do you perform?"
A: Many kinds. Civil, Religious, Bilingual, Interfaith and Multi-Cultural Weddings, Same Sex ceremonies, Commitment Ceremonies, Vow Renewals...you name it. I will keep all the traditional aspects that may be meaningful to you and eliminate the parts that aren't. I am culturally considerate and I enjoy helping you turn your thoughts and feelings into a ceremony that will make everyone there feel closer to you by sharing a side of you and your relationship that they may not see on any other day.
Q: "How much input do we have in the wording of our ceremony?"
A: As much as you want! There are certain basic elements that have to be included to make the ceremony legal, but other than that my goal is to work together with you to create a ceremony that is comfortable and meaningful to you.
Q: "When can we see a copy of our ceremony?"
A: In most cases, my goal is to have the ceremony finalized by one month before your wedding. Therefore, I usually send you the first draft about two weeks prior to that (six weeks before your wedding). That gives us plenty of time to fine tune the wording if necessary. I understand that there are exceptions to this timetable, and I always do my best to accomodate them.
Q: "How long do your ceremonies usually last?"
A: It is largely up to you, but the average length is 15 minutes.
Q: "We are of different religions / of the same sex / more spiritual than religious / planning to include multi-cultural aspects / planning to include our children. Is this a problem?
A: On the contrary, it is a blessing to know who you are and what is important to you. Everything that is important to you is important to me if I am to help you create a ceremony that celebrates your life and your love.
Q: "We want to write our own vows. Is this okay?"
A: Absolutely! There are many ways to do incorporate your words into the ceremony, and I am here to help.
Q: "What do your typical services include?"
A: Every couple's needs are different, but my services generally include:
An initial visit where we get to know each other and talk about what you want your ceremony to be like, what's important to you, what's not, elements you wish to include, things I should steer clear of, etc.
I turn the points that we talk about into a first draft and email it to you.
All the changes and fine tuning that make the draft into the final version of your ceremony.
All the email and phone support you need.
On the day of the wedding I arrive at the venue about an hour early to make sure that anyone who has a part in the ceremony is comfortable, and to coordinate with your DJ and other vendors, etc.
After your wedding, I take care of returning the completed license to the county.
Q: "What is the fee?"
A: As with most wedding professionals, our fee depends on your needs. We offer packages that range from a simple elopement in our office for $195 to destination weddings (with an overnight stay) priced at $595 and up. Our most popular package in the Portland metro area includes all the services listed above and is priced at $395. That amount can vary up or down depending on your needs and factors such as mileage, but of course we will let you know the exact amount once we meet with you and learn the details of your wedding plans.
Q: "Is a deposit required to hold our date?"
A: Yes. A $100 non-refundable retainer will lock in your wedding date and helps to cover the cost of preparing your ceremony.
Q: "How much contact will we have with you before the wedding?"
A: As much or as little as you want. Some couples feel the need to consult with me on every detail of the ceremony and try out many different ceremony elements during the writing process. Others simply approve the first draft I send them and then I see them at the wedding. Most couples fall somewhere in between. All calls and emails are answered within 24 hours except possibly on weekends when weddings may keep me busy.
Q: "When and where do we meet with you?"
A: I can usually meet with you between 9am and 6pm most weekdays in or near my office in SE Portland. Weekend mornings are a possibility as well.
Q: "Do you attend rehearsals?"
A: In most cases, your Wedding Planner or Coordinator handles the details of a rehearsal. I am rarely needed. After all, you are rehearsing what the wedding party will be doing before the ceremony, not the actual ceremony that I am performing. My rehearsal fee is $100 (plus mileage, if applicable), but I usually advise couples to save their money and let their coordinator handle the rehearsal. Naturally, I am more than happy to offer suggestions for the processional if you need them.
Please feel free to contact us with any other questions you might have. Thanks!
