Our Process for Your Ceremony
- First Meeting
- Using the Wedding Ceremony Planning Guide as a discussion template, we meet (preferably in-person) to discuss your beliefs and what you think is important in your relationship, your family, and your desires for your wedding ceremony. Together, we will make the ceremony that represents you. Financial arrangements will also be discussed. Based on this discussion, the Couple will decide if they want to engage Evan as their wedding officiant/minister.
- First Ceremony Draft
- If you decide to proceed working with me, I will draft your wedding ceremony based on the discussion at the first meeting.
- Intentions/Vows
- After the first meeting, the couple usually has homework to do: writing or editing your wedding intentions/vows. This sometimes means starting from scratch, but often also takes the form of discussing or editing sample intentions/vows that I have drafted for you.
- Second Meeting (optional)
- Usually a second meeting is required to fine-tune the first draft of your ceremony. Depending on the level of discussion needed, this meeting is held either in-person or over the phone. At this meeting, or soon thereafter, you agree to the final content of your ceremony.
- Prior to finalizing the ceremony, Evan will need
- your final intentions/vows
- a favorite photograph of you together (.jpg)
- your legal names as they appear on your marriage license
- License
- If you are having a legally-recognized wedding ceremony, obtain a marriage license at your local county clerk's office, or the county clerk's office in the county where the ceremony is going to be held, depending on the type of wedding license. Bring the license to Evan at the rehearsal or ceremony. Evan (and witness, depending on type of license) signs the license after the ceremony and will return it to the county clerk. I will send a copy of the signed license to you.
- Rehearsal (optional)
- Some couples elect to hold a wedding rehearsal, usually the evening before the ceremony. This is usually done to practice and coordinate with others in the wedding party.
- Ceremony
- Your ceremony will be lovely. Evan will arrive about 40 minutes prior to the start time. Weddings (these days) usually begin about 15 minutes late because of late-arriving guests. You will find it convenient if a member of the wedding party or an on-site coordinator is available to help with logistics and details- so you can relax. Please pay Evan prior to or just after the ceremony, in cash please. Immediately after the ceremony, Evan (and witness(es)) will sign the marriage license. I will provide you with a commemorative copy of the ceremony in a binder and a marriage certificate suitable for display (not the official one from the county clerk). I will usually stay around for a short time to greet guests and answer any questions about your ceremony which may arise. Usually, among the photos taken, there is one of Evan with the Couple.
- After the Big Day
- Evan will file your marriage license and send a copy to you. I welcome your review or comments on Yelp under Religious Organizations.
- Thank you!