What is my typical process for working with a new customer?

• They send me an inquiry. I respond with an e-mail detailing my services and suggest we meet in person over coffee, or we schedule a conference call.  No obligation, of course.
• If they decide they want to retain me, I will ask for a deposit.
• Upon receipt of the deposit, I guarantee their date and write a ceremony.
• They review the ceremony for approval or edits.
• I show up early, process all legal documents, and ask for the balance of my fee.

What education and/or experience do I have?

• I hold a Master’s degree in business.
• Twenty-five years of public speaking experience.
• I am a Certified Life Coach
• I have performed over three hundred wedding ceremonies since 2007.

How did I get started doing this type of work?

I’m a person of strong faith. I’m not particularly associated with any organized religion, but a true believer in God.  I retired early and became an ordained officiant in 2007.  My first wedding was for friends and it has steadily grown from there.  I am currently performing at about twenty-five weddings a year.

What types of customers have I worked with?

Every type! I have compassion and empathy for everyone. I strive to do the best I can to make my ceremonies special for the couple I’m working with. I perform small and large weddings; formal and informal; any religious or non-religious preferences. I have fun doing what I do while remaining sensitive to my customers, their family, and friends.

What advice would I give about hiring an officiant?

• Be sure they know exactly what you want in a ceremony.
• Find someone with enough experience to provide suggestions if requested.
• Find someone who can adapt to changes and someone who will put the needs of the bride and groom above all others.
• Look for officiants who have a simple fee schedule, avoiding extra charges.

Consultation with Wedding Officiants

A good officiant will meet you either in person or via online video chat to listen to your love story and get to know you both a little—your personality styles, hopes, and expectations for the wedding ceremony, how you want the ceremony to feel, and preferences and ideas.

From that, the officiant will be able to put together a customized, personalized ceremony that is uniquely you. Most officiants will either have a flat fee for this part or they won’t charge, while others will have a consultation rate but will roll it into the final cost.

Before, during, and right after this consultation is when you’ll know if you’ve found your officiant based on:

• Response time to your first e-mail or phone call and ensuing communication
• On-time for consultation
• Warmth, kindness, enthusiasm
• Subject matter expertise
• Organizational skills
• Humor
• Charisma and presence
• Articulation
• Presentation style

  

For a list of wedding vendors, I’ve worked with …