Q: How much do you charge?
A: You can see our packages and pricing on our Pricing page.
Q: What do your services include?
A: Every couple’s needs are different, but our Full Service package includes:
- An initial visit (in person or over the phone) where we get to know each other and talk about what you are looking for in your wedding ceremony, what’s important to you, what’s not, elements you wish to include, things you’d rather leave out, etc. We offer advice and various options as we shape the basics of your ceremony and answer any questions you may have about your wedding day.
- We turn all the details we talked about into a first draft of your ceremony, email it to you and invite you to let us know if there is anything you would like us to change, add or delete.
- After receiving your feedback, we make any adjustments you ask for and turn the draft into the final version of your ceremony.
- We’re happy to provide all the email and phone support you need during the process.
- On the day of the wedding, your officiant will arrive at the venue in plenty of time to make sure that anyone who has a part in the ceremony is comfortable, and to coordinate with your other vendors, etc.
- After performing your wedding ceremony, we help with the certificate signing, then take care of filing the completed license with the county by mail on the next business day.
Q: In the Full Service package, does the number of guests matter to you?
A: Not at all. We perform the same services for you whether you have 20 guests or 200.
Q: How long have you been an officiant?
A: Steve has been performing wedding ceremonies since 2003, and Leslie began in 2009.
Q: How many wedding ceremonies have you performed?
A: Nearly 1,000. We average 80 to 100 weddings a year.
Q: Do you ever do more than one wedding a day?
A: Almost never, unless two are in the same neighborhood (and hours apart). We generally only do one wedding (each) per day.
Q: Do you perform ceremonies at the coast? The mountain?
A: We no longer perform ceremonies at the coast, but we can help you find an officiant down there. We’re happy to perform ceremonies at Timberline Lodge, but only during the summer. Keep in mind that Timberline Lodge is well outside the 50 mile round trip we include in our Full Service package, so there would be an additional $120 in mileage.
Q: What kinds of ceremonies do you perform?
A: Civil ceremonies, religious, secular, Spanish, bilingual, interfaith and multicultural weddings, same sex ceremonies, commitment ceremonies, vow renewals…all kinds! We keep the traditional aspects that are meaningful to you and eliminate the parts that are not. We 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: Do you provide witnesses for elopement ceremonies?
A: No. We’ve been able to convince patrons in a local bar to be witnesses (and performed the ceremony there) a time or two, but those were unusual situations. Providing witnesses is not part of our elopement package.
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 need to be included to make the ceremony legal, but other than that our 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, our goal is to have the ceremony finalized by one month before your wedding date. Therefore, we usually send you the first draft six to eight weeks before your wedding. That gives us plenty of time to fine tune the wording if necessary. We understand that there are exceptions to this timetable, and we always do our best to accommodate our couples and their schedules.
Q: How long do your ceremonies usually last?
A: It depends on how many elements you wish to include in your custom ceremony, but the average length is 20 minutes. (Elopement ceremonies are pre-written and much shorter – about three minutes.)
Q: We are of different religions / of the same sex / more spiritual than religious / planning to include multicultural 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 us if we are 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 incorporate your words into the ceremony, and we are here to help. We’ll even give you tips to get those creative juices flowing.
Q: Is a deposit required to hold our date?
A: Yes. A $100 non-refundable retainer will lock in your wedding date and time.
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 us on every detail of the ceremony and try out many different ceremony elements during the writing process. Others simply approve the first draft we send them and then we see them at the wedding. Most couples fall somewhere in between. Your calls, texts and emails are answered within 24 hours whenever possible.
Q: When and where do we meet with you?
A: We’re more than happy to work with your schedule in setting up your consultation. One of us can usually meet with you at any time on weekdays at (or near) our office in SE Portland, and weekend mornings are a possibility as well. We are also happy to meet with you over the phone or Skype if you’re not currently in town.
Q: Do you attend rehearsals?
A: It’s your option. In most cases, your Wedding Planner / Coordinator / Day-Of person will oversee the details of a rehearsal. We have found over the years that we are rarely needed, since you are simply rehearsing how you and your wedding party will be walking down the aisle, and not the actual ceremony we’ll be performing. And of course we arrive at the venue on your wedding day at least an hour before ceremony time. We can offer suggestions for the processional by email or phone if you need them. Naturally, we are more than happy to attend your rehearsal if you really want us to be there. Our rehearsal fee is $100 (plus mileage, if applicable), assuming we are available.
Please feel free to contact us with any other questions you might have. Thanks!