| ~ Frequently Asked Questions ~ |
| This page has become rather extensive over time and has been recently updated to include some of the things you want to ask but may be shy about. While I am sure this won't cover everything, here are some of the most frequently asked questions and their answers. Q: "How soon before the wedding should we be looking for an officiant?" A: Many couples book a year and a half in advance especially if they know their date is a popular one. Most of my couples like to take their time going over the draft and fine tuning what will be said. For others a couple of months is fine, and for others they're asking about this weekend coming. The golden rule these days is "What Ever Works!" But any vendor you have your heart set on it is always better to book early. Q: "How do we know that you are authorized to marry us?" A: The City of New York is the only place that makes officiants register. I am officiant number 9484. click here to view documentation This means I can also marry you in New York City if you wish! Q: "How long have you been an officiant for?" A: Since 1997, long enough to be knowledgeable, yet still enthusiastic about every ceremony that I perform. I am a full time professional wedding officiant. My couples are not worked in after a "real job", weddings are what I do. I'm recommended by top locations and work well with other vendors as your team, to give you the best of what everyone has to offer. You are the only stars on your day, we just help you shine! Q: "Do you require premarital counseling?" A: No. I believe that in searching for the key components to your ceremony, what are the things you want to promise and be promised on your wedding day... what do you love most about one another... that the writing process itself encourages you to discuss many of the things spoken of in counseling, only in a more natural manner. Every relationship is as unique as the couple themselves and far be it from me to ever try to tell you what will work for you. Now on the other hand if you are looking for a class, I recommend Rev. Deb Viola's Secrets to a Successful Marriage Q: "What kinds of ceremonies do you perform?" A: All kinds! Civil, Religious, Interfaith and Multi-Cultural Weddings, Commitment Ceremonies, Baby Blessings, Vow Renewals, we can even create something new for unique occasions! We call them "Couple Centered Ceremonies" because we keep all the traditional aspects that you are connected to and toss out the things that make you cringe. We are well versed in religious aspects, culturally considerate and have the ability to turn your thoughts and feelings into a ceremony that will make everyone present feel closer to you and to one another by sharing a side of you and your relationship that they wouldn't see on any other day. Q: "We just want a simple ceremony, do we have to meet with you for that?" A: No, you don't have to do or not do anything with me. I try to do want you want me to do for you and if skipping the meeting in favor of picking elements from my website works for you, then it works for me. The best part of that is meeting and writing take time. If you don't need that time you don't pay for it. So it's $100.00 right off the top! Q: "How long do your ceremonies usually take to perform?" A: It is up to you but I usually try to run no more than 20 minutes. Any longer than that and we run the risk of sounding like "blah, blah, blah, blah...." Q: "We are... a. Second Marriage Catholics b. Of Different Religions c. More Spiritual than Religious d. Looking for a Justice of the Peace style Civil Ceremony e. Planning to include Multi-Cultural aspects f. Planning to Include Our Children g. Wondering if you knew any Klingon .... Is this a problem? A: On the contrary, it is a blessing to know who you are and what is important to you. Everything that is important to you is important to me if I am to help you create a ceremony that celebrates your life and your love. I can always learn a few sentences of another language but if it's more than that, I recommend choosing someone fluent for the job. Q: "We have always imagined ourselves being married by a man. Is this wrong?" A: Not at all. You should have what you want for yourselves, but a meeting still would not hurt so that you understand the style, levels of service and options that you have before deciding one way or the other. If you still want a man I have numbers and will be happy to help you find the one who is right for you! Q: "We think we want to write our own vows but aren't sure is this ok?" A: Of course it is! There are many ways to do this and I am here to help. There is also always the back door. If you just can't talk when the moment comes instead of asking you to I say "These are your beautiful Bride's own words to you on your wedding day" and no one is the wiser. I do find that knowing you don't have to speak removes the pressure that causes the stress to begin with. Q: "How closely do you schedule your ceremonies?" A: I don't schedule closer than 3 hours in between weddings, unless of course they are within a couple of miles of one another or at the same venue. Included in what I consider your time is a buffer "just in case". You will never lose any part of your day because I am late and I will never schedule so closely that you feel rushed in any way. Q: "How early do you arrive?" A: This is another great question to ask your officiant. How much time of theirs is yours on the wedding day. I arrive 45 minutes - 1 hour before your scheduled start time and stay till roughly 45 minutes after the scheduled start time, with the ceremony concluding 30 minutes after the start time, and the final 15 minutes to break down the PA, congratulate you and your families, and finish up any paperwork that's left.. Q: "Whay happens if you get sick?" A: I am very well networked and work closely with Rev. Deb Viola, Father Joe DeVincenzo, Captain Arnold, Rabbi Frank Tamburello, Rev.Lorili Henry, Judge William Corbett, Rev. Hilda Geico, and Rev. Phil Dellarocca. I know many of you have read the stories on the local chat boards about some officiants "running late" or "getting stuck in traffic" or the ever popular "sick mother" and sending a replacement. With the chronic over bookers working full time, you are right in needing to choose someone whom you can trust implicitly. Q: "Do you have any restrictions on photography or video?" A: Absolutely not, they can go where ever you want them to go to get you the best shots possible. We should all be working together to help your vendors give you the best we have to offer. Q: "What do your typical services include?" A: My services are all tailored to fit your needs and usually include: A meeting where we talk about what you want your ceremony to be like. What's important, what's not, things you want to include, things I should steer clear of... My turning what you say into a 1st draft and emailing it to you. This I do without obligation to you because I want you to see how I work and what I can do before you make a final decision to hire me. This partly because yes, I am that confident in what I do, and partly because I really want to make sure that you feel that I am right for you. I feel as though a little piece of me stays with every couple that I marry, and it is important to me that you feel good about having that kind of relationship with me. The changes and fine tuning that make the draft into your ceremony. All the email and phone support you need. On the day of the wedding I get to the site 45 minutes to an hour early to make sure that any one who has a part is comfortable, and to coordinate with the other vendors and such. I bring my own PA and even electricity if necessary. It is all wireless & smaller than my pinky nail. Look at the Photos There's no ugly turkey leg of a microphone stuck in your face or for you to have to hold, and your guests will hear you doing your vows not me. (this can be an additional fee of $250.00 - $300.00 if not supplied by the officiant ) You get a copy of the final printed ceremony all in a book with the pretty Certificate of Marriage, that doesn't get you medical insurance or obligate you to the marriage penalty on your taxes, but at least you don't have to wait for it to come in the mail. Another reason I started making these is because the Nassau and Suffolk license has no place for the Bride and Groom to sign on the day. Your applying for it is your signature. So if you want the traditional signing the license with the Best Man and Maid of Honor pictures.... well then you just have to fake it with an ugly piece of paper, so why not make a pretty one? I sign and process the real Marriage License, which is always sent certified mail, so that if 6 weeks comes and you still don't have your certificate from the state.... I have a tracking number. I copy the Marriage License for your records. Yes! Bring it on the HM if you booked a resort that gives you free stuff with proof of marriage, but remember to remove your SS# & Mom's maiden name. Q: "Do you charge extra to add a candle lighting, rose or other ceremony?" A: Never! I don't micro-manage fees and ceremony content. Q: "How much contact will we have with you before the wedding?" A: As much or as little as you want. Some couples finish everything themselves then send it all back and others want to talk about all the options for every decision they make. I'm good either way, however you can expect a check in call every now and then and all calls and emails are answered within 24 hours except on weekends when weddings sometimes keep me away from the computer. Q: "When and where do we meet with you?" A: I usually meet weekday evenings at my home in West Babylon. Weekends are sometimes a possibility, but Friday, Saturday and Sunday usually spent marrying other couples. Q: "What about the rehearsal?" A: If we do a run through on site the day of the wedding, it is usually scheduled for an hour before the ceremony is to start. This is included in my base price. If not on the day of then it is an extra charge for the extra time it will take. Many times my couples are comfortable enough with the draft that they do not need a rehearsal. I myself think it is a good idea for small children to be walked through at the location. Most often the Maitre-d handles all the ins and outs of a run through and if there are no moving parts to the ceremony, and I am strictly ornamental. If you are in a venue with nobody directing traffic I like to draft someone to send you down as I catch. Q: "We have our Marriage License. Can we come over and get married now?" A: Believe it or not the answer is usually Yes! Q: "What do you wear?" A: I usually opt for a plain black judicial style robe. I have other colors, colored stoles and I am comfortable in a dress or decked out for a theme wedding. So what I wear is what you want me to wear. Q: "We read online "To tip them is to trivialize their profession and extremely bad etiquette." Is this true?" A: No it is not an insult but it is not required either. Professional Officiants vary in quality of service just like any other vendor. Some keep their costs down by rushing in and out, performing the bare minimum required by law to increase the volume they can do in a day. Some other officiants in all price ranges bend over backwards to spend the time and effort that it takes to give you the wedding of your dreams. I believe that anyone who goes above and beyond should be rewarded in some way and those who do not should not be. Q: "What do you need to know from us to check your availability?" A: Date, Time and Location. Please feel free to call me any time! |
| Kristen and James One of my favorite things about a home wedding is that they will never again be able to look at that spot in the yard without it speaking of the promises that were made there.Love is grand no matter how big or small the wedding. Isn't is true that the best wedding you were ever at was because of how much you love the couple getting married? |
| or call 516-785-4191 Anytime! |
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| Flexible Hours Mon - Thur Evenings, and limited weekends. If you have a license, and are willing to come to Babylon... I have an arbor! Come on over with two witnesses and we'll get you married! |
| $75.00 Wedding Ceremony Special !!! For the couples who come to my location, and only want 20 minutes of my time I see no reason to charge you more than this. |
