What officiant services do you provide?
Interfaith Ceremony, Non-religious Ceremony, Same Sex, Single Religion Ceremony
What religious affiliations do you serve?
Buddhist, Christian (no denomination), Christian - Baptist, Christian - Catholic, Christian - Episcopalian, Christian - Lutheran, Christian - Methodist, Christian - Mormon, Christian - Orthodox, Christian - Presbyterian, Jewish, Muslim
Can you accommodate the hearing impaired?
Yes
Are you willing to perform a ceremony at a non-religious site?
Absolutely! Most of the couples I serve either do not belong to a home church or choose to have their celebration at a venue that is not a church. As an independent minister, I have the opportunity to provide to my couples the chance to hold their ceremony of their liking and not based upon requirements.
Are you flexible in the wording used throughout the ceremony, including the vows?
One thing that I feel separates myself from many officiants is that I take the time to get to know each couple that inquires about my availablity. I also custom write each ceremony, personalizing the contents. I do this by gathering the information that I write down from my consultations, in the questionaires that I go over with each couple. Of course, I don't use all of the information but there are key areas that really help me have the tools I need to be able to sit down and write a ceremony.
I do give all of my couples options when it comes to the words used for their ceremony. I give my couples the choice to either write their ceremony in its entirety, contribute to the writing of their ceremony, or entrusting me to write their ceremony. Most couples fall under the last category. I do send off a rough draft of my couple's ceremony no later than a week prior to their celebration. Depending on my workload, I am able to send off the draft up to two weeks' prior to their wedding. I also work with requests from couples, when my workload allows, to send out the rough draft further in advance. When my couples view their draft, they are welcome to make comments, suggestions and anything they'd like to omit. It is my personal belief that the words read at a couple's celebration should be a reflection of their relationship, their beliefs and different aspects of their relationship.
I don't believe that the words read at a couple's celebration should be a shock, to the couple or to their guests! I also believe that a wedding celebration ever be inappropriate in its content. One example of this would be a couple who requests to have a non-religious ceremony and the officiant is preaching and sounding as if the guests are attending Sunday services at a church.
Do you allow the couple to write their own vows, if desired?
What better way to express your love and your commitment to each other in marriage than through the words you write (or speak) yourself? This is a wonderful way to personalize your ceremony even more. I encourage and support my couples who choose to write their own vows.
Do you have a list of readings pre-selected, from which the couple must choose?
All of my work is custom based and written for the particular couple that I am working with; I don't have what I refer to as "cookie-cutter ceremonies" (a book of ceremonies to choose from). I do accommodate couples who prefer to have the traditional wedding ceremony presented at their event or the wedding ceremony as presented in the Common Book of Prayer.
Every once in awhile I am asked by a couple for samples of my work. Since I do write custom ceremonies based upon each individual couple, it is hard to showcase what all of my ceremonies "sound" like. Each couple has different themes and aspects of their relationship that they wish for me to base their celebrations on. Some ask for funny ceremonies, others religious and spiritual, and others that ask for me to present contemporary, non-religious celebrations. What I would write for you and your fiancee will be different from what I've written for another couple simply based on the fact that I base all of my writings on each couple, their experiences and beliefs and values. If you would like to be able to speak with couples, either by email or by phone, of those I've served that have okayed me to use their contact info as my references I'd be happy to forward that off to you. I feel this would best serve you and your interest in my presentation, how I incorporated different ideas given to me by my couples and my writing skills.
Do you require that premarital counseling be done?
It is my belief that my couples know their relationship better than anyone else. Although I understand the reasoning behind premarital counseling, I do not require that of the couples I serve. Over the last two years, I have had the occassional couple ask if I provide this service. To expand my services, I am returning to seminary in the fall of 2008 to work towards my Christian Counseling degree.
Are you willing to perform pre-ceremony rehearsals?
Yes! Part of the services that I provide is wedding co-ordinating. Whether you choose to have a rehearsal on a separate day other than your wedding or a brief walk-thru the day of your wedding I can assist my couples and their bridal party with the logistical side of the ceremony. It's amazing how helpful it can be to get everyone on the same page and knowing where to walk from and where everyone will be standing can really ease the mind! I also provide a brief outline of the ceremony to give those participating in the ceremony a better idea what to expect.
5.0/5.0
; "overlooking the Puget Sound in Edmonds, WA")
; "@ The Manor in Everett, WA")
; "@ Arlington's River Rock Inn in Arlington, WA")
; "@ the Evergreen Arboretum in Everett, WA")
; "in Grapeview, WA")
This Item is Inappropriate