Services:
Established:	2000
Employees:	2
Accepts:

Michigan wedding officiants / ministers performing ceremonies both indoor and out throughout the states of Michigan and Ohio.  We've been in the wedding industry since 1996, and being husband and wife, we know how important and memorable this day will be to you. Jeff and Gina have been non-denominational ordained ministers since 2000 who are legally recognized to officiate at wedding ceremonies in the State of Michigan and we are licensed in the State of Ohio. 

We are authorized distributors for Carlson Craft and Hortense B Hewitt Products along with several other popular brand companies.  Gina received her wedding / event planning certification in 2005 but has planned numerous events as far back as 1996 including birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, family and class reunion, corporate parties/events, and of course many weddings.

We bring professionalism, experience, creativity to your wedding.  Whether you want short and sweet or something with a touch of everything, we'll do what makes you happy.  Don't let the business suits scare you if you're having a themed wedding.  Just ask and we'll wear pretty much whatever you like...White / Black robes to blue jeans and shorts.  This is your wedding and we're more than happy to dress for the occasion.

We want you to be comfortable with us and happy with our services so if you have any special requests please feel free to ask. 

Looking forward to working with you and honored to perform your wedding ceremony!

Warmest Regards,

Reverends Jeff & Gina

 

Military discounts   Posted By: Michigan Officiants We are proud of our military men and women and would like to honor them by offering a discount. When you book with ... (more) Applies to Officiant, Wedding Planner

Rondo String Quartet

You can tell that The Michigan Wedding Officiants enjoy weddings! They are friendly, professional, and want to help create the special ceremony you are looking for.

Are you willing to perform a ceremony at a non-religious site? Yes. We will travel to any location you wish to have your ceremony.

Are you flexible in the wording used throughout the ceremony including the vows? Absolutely! We will write a ceremony just for you and give you about 4 weeks to edit it if you like.

Do you allow the couple to write their own vows, if desired? Absolutely! A tip to couples who wish to write their own vows: it doesn't have to be a story unless you are used to speaking 'impromptu' in front of people. Keep it short and sweet...less is more.

Do you have a list of readings pre-selected, from which the couple must choose? We have some readings available. Most couples already have something in mind and provide us with copies but we are more than happy to assist in selections.

Do you require that premarital counseling be done? No.

Are you willing to perform pre-ceremony rehearsals? Always. With large wedding parties we encourage our presence to assist with the rehearsals. With smaller ones we provide rehearsal diagrams upon request to save you money on mileage rates.

Additional Questions and Answers

1.  How far ahead of time should I book my officiant?

You should have your officiant booked at least 4-6 months before the wedding.  The sooner the better as dates fill up for everyone.  Occassionaly, there may be an opening at the last minute but it is risky to wait.

2.  When do I get to review the ceremony script?

We email the entire ceremony to you approximately 3-4 weeks before the wedding.  At that time you can make modifications.  All final approvals must be emailed back to us a minimum of 3 days before your rehearsal or ceremony.

3.  Can we write our own vows?

Absolutely!  A tip to writing your own vows, especially if you plan to memorize them, is to keep it short.  Generally one or two sentences can speak volumes when it comes from the heart.  If your vows are longer you should opt to either read them during the ceremony or repeat them after the officiant.  Any way you choose, please be sure your officiant has a copy of the vows that you write.

4.  I want a friend/relative to read a poem during the ceremony.

Just tell us where in the ceremony you would like the person to read a poem or scripture and provide us with what will be read.  We will incorporate it into your ceremony.  You can have readings, poems, vocals or instrumentals incorporated anyplace in your ceremony.  We just need to know where and the details.  There is no additional charge, however, it is encouraged that you keep these limited to 1-2 of each so not to overpower your ceremony with them.

5.  Can we meet with our officiant in person?

We are not opposed to meeting the couples that we marry.  We have found that, in general, meetings are difficult to arrange due to our schedules and yours.  Every meeting we have had over the years have always been filled with questions that we can easily answer over the phone or via email.  The most common reason couples request in person meetings has been to view ceremonies...we do not provide copies of ceremonies unless you have booked your wedding with us because we customize each one to suit the couple.  In addition, it is often logistically impractical with many of our couples living more than 50 miles from us and the price of fuel soaring.  We provide unlimited phone and email support to answer any questions you may have or provide assistance with matters that involve your rehearsal or ceremony.  References are available upon request from previous couples and venues in which we have performed ceremonies.

6.  What will my officiant wear?

We generally dress business professional, ie; suit and tie or business suit.  We also have white or black robe available if you prefer a more traditional look.  If you are planning a themed wedding and would like your officiant to wear something 'less traditional' such as shorts, jeans, hawaiin, etc. please contact us with these requests, we are happy to ablige.

7.  What types of ceremonies can I choose from?

You can choose Traditional, Contemporary, Interfaith, or Civil.  Our ceremonies can include children, parents, and we even have one for second marriages.

8.  Will you help with our rehearsal?

Of course we will, if you want us to.  Remember to include this to your total mileage if you want us present for your rehearsal.  An option we have to save you some money is to email you diagrams of the processional, recessional and altar formations.  You simply choose the one from each that works best for your location and insert the names of everyone in the wedding.  Let us know your choices so that we know the order the day of the ceremony.  These diagrams enable you to conduct your rehearsal without us being there which could save you the cost of additional mileage.  If it is within your budget to have us attend and coordinate the rehearsal just let us know where and when.  Diagrams are only available with the Gold & Platinum packages and you will be allowed to choose a Tradition in place of our attendance at your rehearsal.

9.  What religion are you?

Our religion is Universal Life.  It is non-denomination, although we are familiar with many types of religous ceremonies.  We can incorporate many elements of specific religions into your ceremony if you wish or none at all.  We are legally ordained and have filed all the necessary paperwork required with the Church and State where applicable.  We are Reverends.

10.  What are Traditions?

Traditions, Rituals, are 'ceremonies within the ceremony'.  They include the Unity Candle, Blending of the Sands, the Rose ceremony, Jumping of the Broom, Medallion ceremony, etc.

11.  Should I give my Officiant a gratuity?

Typically, you should give gratuities to any service provider that you are pleased with.  Some service providers should be tipped simply out of etiquette.  Although we provide flat pricing options and do not expect a tip, they are always appreciated.  One thing that is always appreciated is a Thank You note or letter after your wedding.  This should be done for all of your service providers.

12.  Should I invite my officiant to my rehearsal dinner and reception?

We always appreciate the invitation, however, we are often scheduled to be elsewhere.  We also understand that you generally have to pay per person for food and our absence at these dinners will save you a little more money.

13.  Can we meet with you before or after signing a contract?

You can.  However, we do base our fees on time, travel and preperation.  In order to keep our prices economical and competitive, we do have a seperate fee for in person meetings whether before or after signing a contract with us. 

Your wedding is supposed to be one of the most important days of your life.  You are supposed to enjoy every minute leading up to it and every moment after, so try not to sweat the small things.  Something inevitably will go wrong whether big or small, but no one except you and those directly involved with the details ever knows the difference.  (and even if someone does notice, they don’t remember forever, they just remember how beautiful the couple was and how much fun they had)

If you are really having a difficult time with the details or managing your time with the planning, we strongly suggest you hire a professional planner to help.  Rev. Gina is a certified wedding planner and available for everything from the smallest errand to coordinating the whole thing and the money spent for services is well worth the headaches saved...and, she knows how to get great discounts on almost everything which helps you to stay within your wedding budget.

Another tip on wedding planners.  I recently read a review left for another vendor regarding the facilities wedding coordinator making their wedding day a disaster.  My word of advise:  Facilities that represent themselves as your 'wedding coordinator' are NOT your wedding planner.  They are paid staff of the facility and they coordinate the services you are buying from THEM.  They can be extremely helpful in referring vendors for your wedding and setting up the meal and room.  They generally do not coordinate the actual rehearsal, ceremony, decorating, music, flowers, table favors, etc.  The only timeline they need to be concerned with is the start and end time of your entire event.    I am not in any way disrespecting these individuals, they play an important role in your event.  However, do not misunderstand their role.  You are not hiring them to plan or coordinate your wedding, you are contracting the facility in which they work and their department is event management.  You should stay in constant contact with them in the event that the person handling your event won't be on duty that day or may leave the establishment entirely before your event.  If you are concerned with other details of your day, consider hiring a private planner to assist you...most offer day of services just to make sure everything goes according to your plans.  Believe me, it's well worth the fee for the piece of mind and ability to relax and enjoy your wedding day.  (don't leave it to mom, dad or other family members...they deserve to have a good time too.