Services:
Established:	1997
Employees:	15

The wedding ceremony shouldn’t be the thing that you and your guests have to suffer through to get to the good part. I promise you a meaningful, enjoyable, ceremony that everyone will remember for years to come. Our website has sample wedding ceremonies, testimonials and reviews, marriage license information a video section with 30 video samples, and much more. Serving Long Island and New York City.

Ask about our $75.00 you come to me elopement special.

Scrolling over the photos below will show each couple's thank you letter.

$75.00 Elopement Special   Posted By: Church of Ancient Ways - Marie April Gismondi Wedding Officiant So you just want your license signed? I offer quick but beautiful ceremonies in my home for those wanting something m... (more) Applies to Officiant

Free PA system   Posted By: Church of Ancient Ways - Marie April Gismondi Wedding Officiant Part of what makes for a good ceremony is your guests being able to hear you. My system is all wireless and the mic i... (more) Applies to Officiant

All Ways Yours Wedding Ministries

April is one of the most professional, helpful and amazing wedding officiants I know! She's always there to help those struggling to find just the right words for their wedding ceremonies and her experience and knowledge of various wedding related issues is unbelievable. Hiring her to help you design and perform your wedding ceremony is the absolute right decision.

Q: "How soon before the wedding should we be looking for an officiant?"

A:  Many couples book a year and a half in advance especially if they know
their date is a popular one. Most of my couples like to take their time going over
the draft and fine tuning what will be said. For others a couple of months is fine,
and for others they're asking about this weekend coming. The golden rule these
days is "What Ever Works!" But any vendor you have your heart set on it is
always better to book early.

Q:  "How do we know that you are authorized to marry us?"

A:  The City of New York is the only place that makes officiants register. I am
officiant number 9484. click here to view documentation
This means I can also marry you in New York City if you wish!

Q:   "How long have you been an officiant for?"

A:   Since 1997 I have married hundreds of happy couples. The last 10 years
have made me knowledgeable yet still enthusiastic about every ceremony that I
perform. I am recommended by top locations and work well with other vendors
as your team, to give you the best of what everyone has to offer. You are the
only stars on your day, we just help you shine!

Q:   "Do you require premarital counseling?"

A: No. I believe that in searching for the key components to your ceremony,
what are the things you want to promise and be promised on your wedding
day... what do you love most about one another... that the writing process itself
encourages you to discuss many of the things spoken of in counseling, only in a
more natural manner. Every relationship is as unique as the couple themselves
and far be it from me to ever try to tell you what will work for you

Q:   "What kinds of ceremonies do you perform?"

A:   All kinds! Civil, Religious, Interfaith and Multi-Cultural Weddings,
Commitment Ceremonies, Baby Blessings, Vow Renewals, we can even create
something new for unique occasions! We call them "Couple Centered
Ceremonies" because we keep all the traditional aspects that you are connected
to and toss out the things that make you cringe. We are well versed in religious
aspects, culturally considerate and have the ability to turn your thoughts and
feelings into a ceremony that will make everyone present feel closer to you and
to one another by sharing a side of you and your relationship that they wouldn't
see on any other day.

Q:  "How long do your ceremonies usually take to perform?"

A:  I usually try to run around 20 minutes. Any longer than that and we run the
risk of sounding like "blah, blah, blah, blah".

Q:   "We are... a. Second Marriage Catholics
b. Of Different Religions
c. More Spiritual than Religious
d. Looking for a Justice of the Peace style Civil Ceremony
e. Planning to include Multi-Cultural aspects
f. 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 have always imagined ourselves being married by a man.
Is this wrong?"

A: Not at all. You should have what you want for yourselves, but a meeting still
would not hurt so that you understand the style, levels of service and options
that you have before deciding one way or the other. If you still want a man I
have numbers and will be happy to help you find the one who is right for you!

Q:   "We think we want to write our own vows but aren't sure is this ok?"

A:   Of course it is! There are many ways to do this and I am here to help.

Q:   "How closely do you schedule your ceremonies?"

A:   I never schedule closer than 3 hours apart.
Included in what I consider your time is a buffer "just in case" You will never
lose any part of your day because I am late and I will never schedule so closely
that you feel rushed in any way.

Q:   "How early do you arrive?"

A:  45 minutes - 1 hour before your scheduled start time.

Q:   "What do your typical services include?"

A:   My services are all tailored to fit your needs and usually include:

A meeting where we talk about what you want your ceremony to be like.
What's important, what's not, things you want to include, things I should steer
clear of...

My turning what you say into a 1st draft and emailing it to you. This I do
without obligation to you because I want you to see how I work and what I can
do before you make a final decision to hire me. This partly because yes, I am
that confident in what I do, and partly because I really want to make sure that
you feel that I am right for you. I feel as though a little piece of me stays with
every couple that I marry, and it is important to me that you feel good about
having that kind of relationship with me.

The changes and fine tuning that make the draft into your ceremony.
All the email and phone support you need.

On the day of the wedding I get to the site 45 minutes to an hour early to make
sure that any one who has a part is comfortable, and to coordinate with the
other vendors and such.

I bring my own PA and even electricity if necessary. It is all wireless & smaller
than my pinky nail. Look at the Photos There's no ugly turkey leg of a
microphone stuck in your face or for you to have to hold, and your guests will
hear you doing your vows not me. (this can be an additional fee of  $250.00 -
$300.00 if not supplied by the officiant )

You get a copy of the final printed ceremony all in a book with the pretty
Certificate of Marriage, that doesn't get you medical insurance or obligate you to
the marriage penalty on your taxes, but at least you don't have to wait for it to
come in the mail. The real reason I started making these is because the Nassau
and Suffolk license has no place for the Bride and Groom to sign on the day.
Your applying for it is your signature. So if you want the traditional signing the
license with the Best Man and Maid of Honor pictures.... well then you just
have to fake it with an ugly piece of paper, so why not make a pretty one?

I sign and process the real Marriage License, which is always sent certified mail,
so that if 6 weeks comes and you still don't have your certificate from the
state.... I have a tracking number.

I copy the Marriage License for your records. Sure! bring it on the HM for the
free stuff but remember to remove your SS# & Mom's maiden name.

Q: How much contact will we have with you before the wedding?

A: As much or as little as you want. Some couples finish everything themselves
then send it all back and others want to talk about all the options for every
decision they make. I'm good either way, however you can expect a check in
call every now and then and all calls and emails are answered within 24 hours
except on weekends when weddings sometimes keep me away from the
computer.

Q:   "What about the rehearsal?"

A:  If we do a run through on site the day of the wedding, usually an hour
before, this is included in my base price. If not on the day of then it is an extra
charge for the extra time it will take. Many times my couples are comfortable
enough with the draft that they do not need a rehearsal. I myself think it is a
good idea if there are small children in the Bridal Party. Most often the Maitre-d
handles all the ins and outs of a run through and if there are no moving parts to
the ceremony, and I am strictly ornamental. If you are in a venue with nobody
directing traffic I like to draft someone to send you down as I catch.

Q:   "We have our Marriage License.
Can we come over and get married now?"

A:   Believe it or not the answer is usually Yes!

Q:   "What do you wear?"

A:   I usually opt for a plain black judicial style robe. I have other colors, colored
stoles and I am comfortable in a dress or decked out for a theme wedding.
So what I wear is what you want me to wear.

Q:   "We read online that it is an insult to tip the officiant. Is this true?"

A:   No it is not an insult but it is not required either. Professional Officiants
vary in quality of service just like any other vendor. Some keep their costs down
by rushing in and out, performing the bare minimum required by law to increase
the volume they can do in a day. Some other officiants in all price ranges bend
over backwards to spend the time and effort that it takes to give you the
wedding of your dreams. I believe that anyone who goes above and beyond
should be rewarded in some way and those who do not should not be.

Q:   "What do you need to know from us to check your availability?"

A:   Date, Time and Location. Please feel free to call me any time!

Time is something that is going to fly by on your wedding day and being on time is important to getting the most of your day.

Giving your photographer the time needed to get all the shots you have on your must take list
Getting your cocktail hour started on time so you get the full hour that you have paid for
Being ready for any vendor who may have another wedding after yours... your hair, make up, officiant, live ceremony musicians, these vendors will all have a space of time that's yours and a time it becomes no longer yours.

Another thing that's important is claiming the moments that are important to you. If you don't do this they'll be lost in the wave of everyone else's joy and scheduling needs. So, Do you two want a moment alone after the ceremony to just say "OMG we did it!" Do you as the Bride want a moment with your dad or your parents before you walk down the aisle? How about the Groom? Do you want that moment? It may mean a lot to them! Any moment that you want to call your own... Tell your  Maitre-D, Planner, DOC, Maid of Honor, or Bridal Attendant to ensure that they don't fly by in the whirlwind of the day.