You're Getting Married!

After making contact with a couple, I typically arrange a meeting to get to know a bit about their story and what they like in a wedding experience.  After this initial meeting (which can happen over the phone if need be), I forward the couple several ceremonies with interchangeable parts that I think they will like.  The couple crafts the ceremony to their liking and we run with it at either the rehearsal or the ceremony.  

I am an accredited seminary trained professional ordained minister in the moderate Baptist tradition with a B.A. in Religion and Christian Ministries, a Master of Divinity degree, and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Christian spiritual formation.  In addition to these educational experiences, I have over 27 years of ministry experience in various leadership roles within the local church and denominational organizations.

I do not.  Depending on distance, I leave remuneration up to the couple.  As guidance, I share with the couple the lowest and highest I have been paid.  

Throughout my ministry, people have asked if I was available to do weddings outside of the church.  Most recently, there was a vineyard near a church where I served.  The manager asked if I would be willing to have my name added to a list of professionals.  I agreed and received multiple calls a year to do ministry in a glorious setting.

Every kind imaginable; professionals, blue-collar, every ethnicity, religious, non-religous.  

If alcohol or dancing will be present, be sure to guage the officiant's feelings about it.  If you choose me, know that a bottle of nice wine is a fine compliment to a reasonable honorarium.  

What do you want in an officiant?  Are you looking for someone to counsel you as a couple, help craft a ceremony, perform a ceremony, or all of the above; in other words, understand the scope of the relationship.