Frequently Asked Questions

 Have a question?

Can you provide me with a sample of your work?

 This website is designed to assist you in that regard.  My practice is to communicate by phone and email, to meet with you face-to-face and to prepare a draft ceremony for you that reflects our discussions and email it to you.  You might be interested in some of the comments from my prior clients Testimonials.

View Sample Videos

What is the cost for your services?

 My fee for complete and comprehensive service is $499.  I don’t require the couple to sign a contract and I don’t require a deposit of any kind.  I simply ask that the fee be paid at least two weeks in advance of your wedding. 

This fee includes a face-to-face meeting with the couple (or at least one of the two) to discuss your wedding and better understand your desires.  It includes all of the drafting and redrafting of the ceremony until it is exactly what you want.  It includes my participation in the rehearsal if possible, and, obviously, performing the wedding.  For more information on fees, click here .

I accept the following forms of payment: All Major Credit Cards, PayPal, Check, or Money Order.

Do we need to obtain a marriage license prior to the wedding?

Yes, it is your responsibility to obtain a marriage license prior to the wedding.  Basic information can be found on websites for any County Clerk/Recorder, such as the one for Sacramento County:  http://www.ccr.saccounty.net/. You must go together to the county office to get it.  The license is only valid for 90 days – so don’t get it too far in advance of your wedding - it will expire.

 Most couples obtain a regular public license.  You may obtain that type of license at any county recorder in California regardless of where, in California, you are getting married.   However, if you are getting a “confidential” license, you need to obtain it from the county in which you are getting married.  You can learn more about confidential licenses on the website of any county clerk/recorder.

Do you have any special requirements for what must be in the
ceremony, or what cannot be included?

 No.  This is your wedding.  A significant part of my role is to craft the ceremony that you want.  The law really just requires that the parties indicate their consent to be married – an exchange of promises.  The possible ways of getting to that point are endless and part of the fun and excitement of creating the wedding of your dreams.

Do you attend wedding rehearsals? 

I am willing to participate in your wedding rehearsal if my schedule permits. Some facilities provide excellent wedding coordinators and some couples are very familiar with wedding ceremony procedures or have friends or family able to provide expert assistance.

Are you available to conduct weddings outside of California?

 Unfortunately, I am not.  My authority is limited to California.  I am available for weddings anywhere in California, but the location may require an adjustment in the fee.

In the wedding field, are the fees charged by officiants fairly similar?

 No, there are some who charge less and some who charge substantially more.  Many officiants will not participate in a rehearsal – and some who do charge extra fees. Some officiants require that the couple come to the officiants home or office, my practice is to come to you. 

Many officiants require a contract and/or deposit, I do not.  Some provide a cookie cutter ceremony while others tailor the ceremony to their clients’ wishes.  Some officiants have very defined rules about what must be in the ceremony (and what cannot) – I don’t.  I believe that my fee structure is fair and reasonable within the communities that I serve. Click Here for my pricing information

Will I need a certified copy of the wedding certificate?

 Most couples will either need or want a certified copy of the wedding certificate.  A certified copy may be required by health insurance providers, DMV, Social Security and the Veterans Administration. 

My fee includes providing a certified copy after the ceremony.  This is actually a document that I purchase from the county clerk and it usually takes a couple of weeks to arrive in your mailbox.  My service saves you both time and money, negating the need to make another trip to the county recorder’s office.

How far in advance of the wedding should we meet with you?

 I’m ready to meet with you at any time.  I’ve met with people a year prior to their wedding, and I’ve met with some the day before.  My primary concern is that you are comfortable with me handling these critical tasks, putting your mind at ease.

Can you help me select other professionals to assist with my wedding?

 Yes, I’ve worked with hundreds of professionals during the last 15 years.  There are many fabulous people involved in the wedding industry, and I’ve provided links to a few of my favorites on this site.  Click here to see my suggested partners.   I would be happy to assist you with whatever you need in the way of additional services – at no additional cost to you.

What do you usually wear when you perform a wedding?

 Most frequently, I wear a black (judicial) robe.  However, in past weddings, I’ve worn a suit, a Hawaiian shirt with shorts and dressed as a monk for a renaissance wedding. View Sample Video

Approximately how many weddings do you perform each year?

 I usually perform 35 to 50 weddings per year.

Do you have any special rules that apply to photographers or
videographers?

 No.  I realize that some officiants have policies that restrict the movement or placement of photographers. These are choices that are yours, not mine, and I leave that in your sound discretion.

Do you require that we have pre-marital counseling with you or with someone else?

 No.  First, despite having been married for more than 30 years, I’m neither qualified nor licensed to provide counseling.  The decision to have counseling is a personal choice and not something that I require you to do.