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Frequently Asked Questions (& Hints)

Q.  Do you require couples to attend classes or pre-marital counseling?
A.  No, we do not require any classes for our couples.  We are happy to offer any spiritual and/or pre-marital counseling if desired though.
Q. What faith are you?
A.  We are both ordained non-denominational Ministers and are exceptionally respectful of all faiths. Reverend Debby would like to offer that she is of Christian faith.
 
Q. I am Catholic but my fiancé is not.  Different members of each of our families are very firm in their varied faiths and beliefs.  Can you do a ceremony that is sensitive and respectful to both?
A.  Absolutely!  This is a very common situation in many of our ceremonies.  No one has ever felt uncomfortable or slighted with any of our ceremonies, ever, no matter what their faith and belief was/is.

Q.  Can we be married in a church?
A.  Yes!  We officiate your ceremony at the location of your choice.  We ask that you get permission from that church's Pastor, or group.  In the case of a historical, or State owned church, you will need to contact that appropriate entity.  We have performed many weddings in many different churches.
 
Q.  What is the procedure of booking you?
A.  Contact the Wedding Minister for your area by phone or email to see if your date/time is available.  After an initial consultation the bridal couple will decide on a ceremony (found on the "pricing" page).  There is some simple paperwork to be filled out and returned to your Wedding Minister.  Our ceremony fees are surprisingly low, and we offer unlimited availability, either by phone and/or email.  A retainer of 50% is required in order to secure your date/time.  Dates tend to book up quickly - we cannot suggest strongly enough that you secure your date and time asap.
 
Q.  I am planning on getting married next year, should I retain your services so soon in advance?
A.  That is a personal choice, however we have several Weddings that are booked and secured 1 and even 2 years in advance.
Q.  When I inquired about retaining your services, you told me my date was available and you would pencil me in. What exactly does that mean?
A.  We are so glad you asked! When a bridal couple inquires about a date/time that is open, we "pencil" them in.  This means the bridal couple's ceremony is in the appointment book for a limited time until the retainer has been received which secures your date and time. Generally when a date/time is "penciled" in it remains in the appointment book for no longer then 2 weeks, after which the date and time is then open and available.

HINTS AND TIPS

Q. What do you recommend for a wedding "to-do" list?

A: We suggest the following order:  date. locations of ceremony and reception, minister,  dress, tuxedo, attendants dresses and tuxes, caterers, music, photographer, florist, invitations.

 

Social Security has a rule that the bride must file an SS-5 form (a new application form showing change of name and /or marital status) within the fiscal year for tax purposes, (The SS-5 form should be filed, even if you are keeping your own name) along with an original proof of marriage. Social Security may take a while if you rely on the mail, so we always suggest you have another proof on hand. Therefore you may want to request two proofs of marriage. Check with Social Security first, see if you walk it in, will they just look at it and return it to you. Don’t take a day off from work to go to the Motor Vehicle Bureau and any of the other place until you have an original marriage certificate in hand.

Change your name and address if applicable on the following:

  1. Driver’s License
  2. Car Registration
  3. Car Insurance
  4. Health Insurance
  5. Social Security Records
  6. Voter Registration
  7. Bank Accounts
  8. Credit Cards
  9. Will
  10. With Your Employer
  11. Professional Licenses
  12. Passport

BRIDE'S GIFT

The bride's gift is traditionally given by the groom to the bride. It is typically a personal gift such as a piece of jewelry.

Options: A string of pearls, a watch, pearl earrings, or a gold chain with a heart-shaped charm holding photos of the two of you.

Things To Consider: This gift is not necessary and should be given only if budget allows.

GROOM'S GIFT

The groom's gift is traditionally given by the bride to the groom.

Options: A nice watch, an elegant pen set, or a dramatic photo of the bride framed in silver or crystal.

Things To Consider: This gift is not necessary and should be given only if budget allows.

BRIDESMAIDS' GIFTS

Bridesmaids' gifts are given by the bride to her bridesmaids and maid of honor as a permanent keepsake of the wedding. The best gifts are those that can be used both during and after the wedding, such as jewelry.

Options: For bridesmaids' gifts, consider items of jewelry that can be worn during the wedding to give your wedding party a coordinated and elegant look. Choose the collection that most fits your style, then select the type and color of stone to match the color of your flowers and/or bridesmaids dresses. We believe this is the perfect bridesmaids' gift!

Things To Consider: Bridesmaids' gifts are usually presented at the bridesmaids' luncheon, if there is one, or at the rehearsal dinner. The gift to the maid of honor may be similar to the bridesmaids' gifts but should be a bit more expensive.

USHERS' GIFTS

Ushers' gifts are given by the groom to his ushers as a permanent keepsake of the wedding.

Options: For ushers' gifts, consider fancy pen sets, wallets, leather belts, silver frames, watches, and desk clocks.

Things To Consider: The groom should deliver his gifts to the ushers at the bachelor party or at the rehearsal dinner. The gift to the best man may be similar to the ushers' gifts but should be a bit more expensive.


WEDDING EXPENSES

The bulk of many wedding etiquette questions center around financial issues. In past generations, the brides family paid for the majority of the wedding expenses. The grooms lucky family got off with just the rehearsal dinner, and the groom himself paid for the honeymoon, the brides rings, and assorted other small expenses.

That was then. Nowadays, with the costs of weddings growing and many couples marrying later when they are more likely to have careers and incomes of their own, more brides and grooms are contributing to, or even picking up entirely, the cost of the wedding. And the parents of many grooms are also contributing more than in the past; a popular option is to have the brides family, the grooms family, and the couple each contribute one third.

For reference, the following is the traditional breakdown of expenses:

Bride's family paid for:

  • All reception costs (site, food, liquor, cake, music, gratuities)
  • The wedding invitations, postage and related stationery expenses
  • The brides attire and trousseau
  • Photography and videography
  • Ceremony and reception flowers
  • Rental fee for the ceremony site
  • Fees for ceremony musicians
  • Transportation of the bridal party on the wedding day

Groom's family paid for:

  • The rehearsal dinner

Groom paid for:

  • The cost of the marriage license
  • The brides engagement and wedding rings
  • The brides bouquet, corsages for the mothers, and the boutonnieres
  • The ceremony officiant's fee