 |
|
Endorsements
Frequently Asked Questions for Officiant
What officiant services do you provide?
Interfaith Ceremony, Single Religion Ceremony
What religious affiliations do you serve?
Christian (no denomination)
Can you accommodate the hearing impaired?
No
Are you willing to perform a ceremony at a non-religious site?
I perform ceremonies anywhere my couples needs me. I'm not one to fly in a hot air balloon :o)
Are you flexible in the wording used throughout the ceremony, including the vows?
I encourage my couples to write there own vows however, I provide a ceremony handbook that allows couples to help create the ceremony elements from start to finish including readings, prayers, blessings an poems. Acts of celebration including the sand ceremony, wine ceremony, Unity Candle and options to include family and children. I do not read from a pre-written script found on the Internet or provided by someone else.
Do you allow the couple to write their own vows, if desired?
Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes and did I mention yes.
Do you have a list of readings pre-selected, from which the couple must choose?
Yes, this is included in my handbook.
Do you require that premarital counseling be done?
No. My belief is; If my couple is in need, they should focus on this, not a wedding.
Are you willing to perform pre-ceremony rehearsals?
If available....
Additional Questions and Answers
Will you be the Officiant perofmring my ceremony? Yes, I DO NOT RUN A REFERRAL COMPANY like many others that simply meet with you and send you someone else on your wedding day! Have you ever been late to a wedding? Never! I am one of the few that can say this! Do you perform other types of services? Yes, Here are my promotional videos for elopements in the San Diego Area and a video of one of my Scottish Highlands Weddings. Jerry & Lisa from Garner Films on Vimeo.
Tips and Advice
Note: Offering the following information to Brides and Grooms has not made me very popular with Officiants and Celebrants but couples appreciate it and that's all that matters (even if they are not my couples!) Most couples have never gone through the process of selecting an Officiant and wedding vendors before and don't know what to look for and what to watch out for... Questions to ask your Officiant during the interview: How many wedding ceremonies do you perform each year? This is a very important question to ask as it simply translates to experience! There will be Oops and Uh-Oh’s on your wedding day and someone experienced can handle these issues, large or small, without anyone knowing there was even an issue at all, in some cases, not even the bride and groom. Ask what they will do for you and what “Plan B’s” they have. Can we help create the ceremony? Don’t settle for an Officiant that does “their” ceremony. Find one that gives you many options OR simply explain what you want or what vision you have for your ceremony. If you’re not religious or spiritual, don’t have that type of ceremony. If you don’t want the rosy, poetic and mushy type ceremony, tell them! The ceremony should be about the two of you! Do you attend the reception? Some Officiants expect it and are offended if they don’t see their name on the list OR some even expect you to allow them to bring a guest. You need to know this for the reception headcount and is an unexpected additional cost for food and beverages. Do you attend the rehearsal? Many coordinators handle the rehearsal while some Officiants demand they do it without any interference from the coordinator. Some include this service in their fee while others charge an additional fee. Don't forget to ask! What do you wear? Some Officiants can dress very formal while others dress very casual, some wear religious robes when your ceremony may be non-religious. Others wear advertising…. Ask! If you are having a themed wedding, ask if they will participate. How much time do you book between weddings? Another sad fact; many Officiants overbook their day. Does your Officiant do this? What will your Officiant do to prevent this? Do they allow extra time between ceremonies in case of traffic issues? What if the ceremony ahead of your starts or runs late? Do they build in extra time? And lastly, have they ever been late and if so, how many times? There are many horror stories of Officiants that have been up to an hour late to a wedding and this should never…EVER…happen. Is this all you do? Some Officiants are in this industry just for the money and also perform others tasks to take a bigger piece of the gold filled wedding cake. D-Jays are also online ordained Officiants; photographers are also caterers; florists are also coordinators; invitation makers are also photographers; etc. How can anyone give you 100% on one of your most important and special days if they are doing two jobs? How will this look to your guests when the Officiant then jumps over and becomes your DJ? How serious was your ceremony? Fees/Costs As with any Wedding vendor, the costs associated with your Officiant will be based on the usual factors: Experience, location, travel, special ceremony needs, etc. Make sure you get the total costs up front and in writing. Why would they charge you for travel? Ask if there are additional fees so not to be shocked later. Working with other wedding vendors Some Officiants are set in their way of doing things so ask if they have restrictions. It’s better to find out at your first meeting rather than be shocked at your ceremony! Ask the other vendors how well they work with your Officiant. Be careful, some Officiants pay to be listed or give a kickback to vendors that refer them. Pressure to book Never feel pressured to book your Officiant at your first meeting (or any vendor for that matter). Some Officiants lead you to believe they will book quickly and you must book right then and there. Some even offer a discount if you book right there on the spot! DON'T! At least take the time to drive home and speak with each other about the interview and the Officiant. Even if the three of you “click”, take the time to talk to each other alone. A good thought; Take the time to interview at least 3 Officiants before making a decision. Will you personally be performing my ceremony? Some wedding celebrants simply run a referral company. They handle the interview with the two of you only to sub contract a far less experienced Officiant or, select one of their "referal group members" and send them to you on your wedding day…. SURPRISE! Personal Note on this: Some Referral groups are from out of the area that simply have a local or toll free number and a website that looks local. After you book their services they simply call around the area and sub contract a local Officiant that charges far less and pocket the difference. Trust me, I get the calls! |
4.9/5.0
; "Wedding Ceremony at Museum of Contemporary Art La Jolla with Rev. Christopher Tuttle - Vows From The Heart Ministries LLC - www.myweddingofficiant.com")
; "Wedding Ceremony at The Carlsbad Sheraton in Carlsbad with Rev. Christopher Tuttle - Vows From The Heart Ministries LLC - www.myweddingofficiant.com")
; "Wedding Ceremony at South Coast Winery in Temecula with Rev. Christopher Tuttle - Vows From The Heart Ministries LLC - www.temeculaweddingminister.com")
; "Elopement Ceremony at Bayview Park on Coronado Island with Rev. Christopher Tuttle - Vows From The Heart Ministries LLC - www.elopetocoronado.com")
; "Wedding Ceremony at the Darlington House in La Jolla with Rev. Christopher Tuttle - Vows From The Heart Ministries LLC - www.myweddingofficiant.com")
This Item is Inappropriate