Services:

First and most importantly, I LOVE what I do! I serve couples as a nondenominational minister in order to better respect various faiths and beliefs. I’m known as a minister with professionalism, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to make your ceremony reflect your spiritual and religious needs. Performing wedding ceremonies is very rewarding for me. I gain deep personal satisfaction from having the honor of uniting couples on such an important occasion in their lives. It’s my pleasure to work with you to create a wedding ceremony that best reflects your relationship and love for each other. I have performed well over 600 weddings in Salt Lake City and throughout Utah. This kind of experience gives me the skills to handle any “crisis” that can occur on your wedding day and rest assured- your wedding is as important to me as it is to you.

Squawkbox Sound

Anita is always a pleasure to work with! We've had the pleasure to work with her on many occassions, and the bride and groom are always more than happy with her work! We are always please when we ask our couples who their officiator is, and they say "Anita Gordon".

What happens if you’re sick or have a family emergency on our wedding day?
I have several associates I work with and they would fill in if necessary. As of this year I have performed over 700 weddings and have never missed one nor ever been late. That is saying a lot with all the road construction that goes on in Utah during the summer.

What do you wear?
I generally wear a black suit. (Jacket/skirt) I want to blend in and not stand out. I’m going to be in your pictures for a long time so I want to always look my best.

Do you stay for the reception afterwards?
I usually don’t unless it is important to the bride and groom for me to do so.

When can we get our marriage license?
It has to be within 30 days of your marriage. Both bride and groom will go together, take valid photo ID and $50. You license will be good anywhere in Utah no matter what county you get it in. You may now fill your marriage license application in Salt Lake County online at: http://www.clerk.slco.org/marriage/ I highly recommend doing so as that is the longest part of the process. Once you’ve filled it out you simply print it and take it with you to the Salt Lake County clerks office at 2001 South State Street, Suite 2200. (Phone # 801-468-3439.) The whole process is very simple and should take no more than 30 minutes and even less if you bring the application with you.

Tips & Advice

I have learned a lot in 600 weddings and would like to pass some of this knowledge onto you.

Start your wedding on time. Okay, no one really expects it to start exactly on time but it should start within 15 minutes of the time set on the invitation. There are many reasons for this. The most important being that the time you lose at the front can never be recovered in the back. When you start late the food that was suppose to be hot is now mushy, the food that was suppose to be cold is now warm, etc. Most guests arrive 15 minutes early for the wedding and because they are your guests, it is not fair to make them wait too long for the ceremony to start. Sometimes they can be waiting in very hot or cold conditions. As your guest, keep their comfort in mind. Decide how much time you will need to get ready and then add 30 more minutes. You will be glad you did. Your worst-case scenario is you’re ready 30 minutes early and you will get to enjoy the moment.

Pick a photographer you’re comfortable with. No matter how good they are or how highly recommended they come, unless you feel completely comfortable with them, they will not get good shots. You have to remember they will probably be telling you what to do in order to get good shots so if you like them it will be a lot of fun. If not, you will just want it over with and it will show. Have a family member from each side who knows who is supposed to be in the pictures. They can get them organized and ready when it’s their turn, speeding up the process immensely.

Okay brides, if you’re going to be wearing a long dress, (and most of you are) this tip is being written just for you. It’s one of those things you would probably never think about. As you know, I’m at the front watching you walk in and time and time and time again, I see brides tripping on their dress. As you walk forward your dress slips under your feet and it will trip you up every time. (Especially dangerous coming down stairs.) Then you usually have your father/escort on your arm and if you’re not stepping on your dress, they are. Before your wedding, if you do nothing else, put on your dress, put on the shoes you are wearing with the dress, get someone to hold your arm like you’re walking into your ceremony and see if this is a problem you will encounter If so, it can usually be remedied by simply pulling you dress up slightly with your free hand as you walk in. Another option is to practice walking while discreetly giving a good kick out with your front foot as you walk. This can usually keep the dress in front of your feet instead of under them. Please take this advice to heart. I truly see it all the time. Practice makes perfect.

I only have a couple of pieces of advice to offer on cakes. If you’re having a meal that includes the dessert, go smaller on your cake. When it’s time to cut the cake your guest are usually so full they can’t eat another bite and you’re left with enough cake to feed 200 people. Also, have a plan for that left over cake.
A lot of reception centers will make your cake. Some even charge a “cake fee” if you bring one in from the outside. If the reception center offers a cake you’re happy with, it will be one less worry for you. The cake will be there and no risk of a toppled cake as it is being delivered and you might be paying an extra charge for the delivery. (And yes, I’ve seen a toppled cake)

A wedding is good anytime but some “times” are better than others. If you’re having your ceremony during the week, the later you start, the better the attendance, mostly due to peoples work schedules. I wouldn’t consider anything before 5:00 and if you shoot for 6:00, even better. A 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. wedding puts everyone in the evening rush hour traffic and arriving late. If you start at 6:00 the ceremony will most likely be over by 6:30 and you may begin your reception. If you’re having a Saturday event, try not to start before 11:00 a.m. This allows you enough time to get ready without getting up at 4:00 a.m. Most venues allow you in at 10:00 a.m. (or earlier) so it will give you and your bridesmaids, groom and groomsmen the hour everyone will need to dress.