- Are your ceremonies legal? As legal as religious weddings?
- Completely legal. In states outside of New York, I may need an extra day or two to contact the county clerks' office. This also includes Canadian provinces! Inside or outside New York, the ceremonies are still legal as long as you have gone for your marriage license. Please bring the license to your ceremony.
- Do you do religious ceremonies?
- I am happy to give it a dedicated try, but for a truly religious ceremony you would probably do better to contact a local minister, rabbi, priestess or priest. If you're looking for a religious "ingredient" to your ceremony or representation, I'm happy to do so and happy to learn anything you'd like to teach me.
- Some couples like to have a personal/private ceremony with me (and two witnesses) and then have a large, religious, family-oriented wedding at a later date.
- Are kids allowed in our ceremony?
- Of course! However, your witnesses need to be over 21.
- Are pets allowed in our ceremony?
- Of course! Again, they can't be witnesses.
- Can I/we write our own vows? ~~~or~~~ Will you write the vows for each of us?
- Yes and yes! This is something we'll discuss the first time we speak or meet.
- Can you do ceremonies outside of New York State?
- Yes, but I will need to contact the local offices of your destination to pre-arrange, so it may take me a few extra days to collect paperwork. This would be the case in most counties in the U.S. and Canada.
- How far will you travel? Are you willing to fly?
- I'm quite willing to travel and/or fly! If I'm driving myself, I usually try to keep within a 65 mile radius of Niagara Falls, ON/NY, but, depending on my schedule, I'll often do more.
- Do we have to be from New York State to have our ceremony in New York State? Is it still a legal marriage if we aren't from New York State?
- Many people come from all over the world every year to be married in Niagara Falls, NY! Neither of you have to be from New York State in order to be married here, however, you do have to have applied for and received your Marriage License within the state of New York, but outside the city of New York.
- Do I/we pick up my own marriage license?
- Yes. And please bring it to the ceremony with all of your individual parts of the form filled out. I will get two witnesses for you, sign, date and authorize it and have it in the mail on the same day.
- We've both been married once (or twice, or more) before. Is this OK?
- As long as you are both legally divorced and have already received your marriage license, it's all good.
- Do you have a minimum amount of guests?
- No, although you are required to have two witnesses, so there would always be a minimum of 5 (five) of us in attendance.
- Do you sing?
- No, nor do you want me to. However, if you go to www.weddingwire.com, you'll find my listing, in addition to lots of musicians, DJs, soloists, and many more professionals to help you with all aspects of your wedding.
- How long will it be before we get our certificate of marriage in the mail?
- Usually within 15 days. I will stamp it and put it in the mail on the same day of your ceremony.
- How much will you charge when all is said is done? Are there extra charges?
- For the most part, usually people pay $200.
- However, if you need me buy something for you, order something on line for your ceremony, pay tolls (i.e.: U.S. to Canada or vice versa) drive more than 65 miles, or fly, we can definitely discuss it. Basically, it would still be $175 with your expenses.
- If you want a completely license-free ceremony (a renewal of vows or a pre, private ceremony before a larger one you may be having for family or religious reasons), the fee would be $80, in addition to expenses.
- How much notice do I have to give you?
- As much as you feel like giving me! On the other hand, I love to work with a little pressure so if I can do it, I will. In New York, there is an exact 24 hour waiting period from the time you receive your marriage license at the County Office to the time of your ceremony, so keep County office hours in mind.
- Will you read one of our favourite poems, passages or authors for us during the ceremony?
- Absolutely! Poems, lines from songs, biblical passages...we'll work it right into the ceremony!
- What types of ceremonies do you do?
- Check out the tab at the top of this page called "About Your Ceremony". You'll find ideas, inspiration and pictures!
- But to answer your question, I do legal marriages, civil unions, vow renewals (no marriage license required), baptisms, blessings and end of life ceremonies.
- Will you help us elope?
- As long as you have a legal marriage license from the state of New York, you can elope. If you want to have a private ceremony with the two of you and then have a larger one with family, whether or not you're licensed, I'm happy to help you out with that, too.
- You don't have to have a license to do the ceremony, but you do have to have the license in order for your marriage to be recognized as legal.
- In New York, there is an exact 24 hour waiting period from the time you receive your marriage license at the County Office to the time of your ceremony, so keep County office hours in mind.
- What do you wear?
- I'll do my best to accommodate you. Usually a dress with my hair up, but if you have a theme, costume or preference for what you'd like me to wear, let me know and I'll do my best! I've been known to dress in motorcycle leathers, as a pirate (complete with hook and beard), ready to hike, and ready for rain and mist, just to name a few, so please feel free to make a request!!