Services:
Established:	2004
Accepts:

I am a non-denominational wedding officate.  I do, I DO’s.  I charge a  fee of $375 within  a 50 mile radius from my location.  Although I can perform ceremonies in other states, I currently only perform ceremonies in the state of Maryland.  For every 25 miles past the 50 mile area I charge an additional $25 for gas and wear and tear on my auto.  I will come to a location that is more than 50 miles, but if an over night stay is required, I request that a room be rented and paid for so I can accomodate you and your wedding needs.  A $125 deposit holds your date.  Your fee includes research on cultural, social and spiritual ideas, booking and holding your date and of course the ceremony.  If you are active duty military or getting ready to deploy please contact me about a discount, I am retired military and I always give a discount as a way of thanking you for your service.  Also check out my promotional rates for elopements.  Rehearsals are an option I strongly recommend if you have more than 4 people involved in your wedding.  I charge $75 to help you with your rehearsal.  If you choose not to rehearse, I can provide a rehearsal guide that will at least get you to think about what you need to pay attention to.   

Meeting you and your fiancee’ to get your vision of your ceremony is essential.  Vows are prepared based on what you’ve told me.  A draft is emailed to you for your approval and together we work to get the words and the emotional elements appropriate for your ceremony to be memoriable.  I will meet with you as many times as necessary.  Phone calls and emails are unlimited.  

On the day of your ceremony, if you don’t have an event planner, I will help to direct your guests to the right spot,  I will make sure everyone turns off their phones, that everyone is in place and that the guests stand when the bride enters the room.  I will ensure you get through your vows; I’ve been told I’m a force of calm.  I am also available for a blessing prior to sitting down to eat at your reception. 

I work with several other officiates, just in case I have a family emergency, you will be taken care of at no extra charge and no drama. 

Please consider me your resource for all of your wedding needs. 

 I am also available for baby blessings, new business blessings and funerals

A Pampered Affair	Fantastic Professional to work with. Keeps you utmost in mind. Caring, sharing and a great listener. A must at every wedding!
Tina's Creative Touch Planners and Travel	Sandy is always a joy to work with and will take care of everything in a professional manner.
Heather Kotoks Ceremonies	Sandy has been an associate for some time now. Her warmth and attention to providing assistance with creating couples wedding ceremonies has given me joy. I highly recommend requesting Sandy for your wedding day!
Fashion Jewelry For Everyone	Thumbs up!
Elegant Events	Weddings by Sandy is one of the BEST officiates that I have ever worked with in my career. Sandy is a doll and was very accomodating to my couple. I was very organized and provided a copy of the ceremony language to give my couple a feel for how the ceremony would go. She was also excellent at adapting to last minutes changes due to inclement weather. I love Weddings by Sandy and you should definetly use them for your next event!
Balance Wedding Photography	We love working with Sandy! Wonderful, customized ceremonies with warmth and personality. If you are planning a ceremony outside your usual place of worship, talk to Sandy ~ she's just terrific!
Elegant Event Planning and Design	Sandy is a rarity in the industry. She will take the time to understand who you are as a couple and help you to build a meaningful ceremony. She has the experience and knowledge to help you to plan a variety of ceremonies, including: commitment ceremonies, Christian ceremonies, hand fasting rituals, and civil ceremonies just to name a few. She is a caring person, who will work hard to make your ceremony everything you want it to be. I have no hesitations about recommending her to all of my clients.
Savvy Soirées Event Management Company	Sandy Bearden is a very personable, multi-talented, patient and professional person, who I had the pleasure of meeting and working closely with in March 2008 at a Women’s Entrepreneurial Expo. Sandy provided with me a wealth of information pertaining to the various ceremonies that she conducts and detailed steps as to how to customize your wedding vows (which is very beneficial to my clients). To put the icing on the cake, Sandy conducted an actual ceremony at the Expo, which was truly a huge treat for fellow exhibitors and visitors. I look forward to working with Sandy in future and I would recommend Weddings by Sandy to any of my clients who require her services for their special soirée!
Savvy Soirées Event Management Company	Sandy Bearden is a very personable, multi-talented, patient and professional person, who I had the pleasure of meeting and working closely with in March 2008 at a Women’s Entrepreneurial Expo. Sandy provided me with a wealth of information pertaining to the various ceremonies that she conducts and detailed steps as to how to customize your wedding vows (which is very beneficial to my clients). To put the icing on the cake, Sandy conducted an actual ceremony at the Expo, which was truly a huge treat for fellow exhibitors and visitors. I look forward to working with Sandy in future and I would recommend Weddings by Sandy to any of my clients who require her services for their special soirée!

Are you willing to perform a ceremony at a non-religious site? yes

Are you flexible in the wording used throughout the ceremony including the vows? yes-very

Do you allow the couple to write their own vows, if desired? yes

Do you have a list of readings pre-selected, from which the couple must choose? yes-,but just as guidance, couples are free to choose what they like

Do you require that pre-maritial counseling be done? no

Are you willing to perform pre-ceremony rehearsals? yes, infact I strongly advise it

Additional Questions and Answers

Is the officiate available on the date you have selected?   Ask me and you will know. 

Does he or she seem genuinely interested in you as a couple and is he or she willing to assist you with the creation of the vows and ceremony you’ve always wanted? I work really hard to listen and understand exactly what you want and need.

Is the officiate able to travel to your site.  Maybe-definately up to 50 miles, after that we will need to negotiate. 

If you haven’t yet selected a site, can the officiate assist with site selection?  Yes I have lots of vendor contacts 

Does the officiate charge a standard fee? Yes  I have a fee schedule, contact me for details

What does this fee cover? My fee covers everything up to 50 mile radius from my location.  This includes my inital consultation with the couple, writing the ceremony, doing research, providing you with ideas for your ceremony so it is personalized just for you, a rehearsal guide, if you don't want to pay for me to be at your rehearsal, and of course signing your legal paperwork and performing the ceremony.  

Do they require a signed contract and deposit?  Yes, I have a contract and I require a deposit to hold your date.  I ask you to agree to a few things and understand what the laws require.

Why does he/she perform the type of service that they do?  I love what I do, I like making people happy and I acutally enjoy public speaking.  I love watching the bride come down the aisle.  It is the perfect occupation for me.

  

Does the vendor have samples, referrals, or testimonials of their work? Yes, see my website, or ask me and I will provide referrals.  I also created a Ceremony Idea Booklet, yours free if you book your services with me.  This booklet allows you to create a ceremony that is unique and special, just like you.