Wedding Services

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Don't settle for an average wedding officiant. Look for someone who (1) can engage an audience, and (2) who is willing and able to craft a ceremony that reflects your experiences, sentiments, and shared values. It might take you a few phone calls and/or meetings to find the right officiant, but it's worth it.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Many couples do not have a pastor, rabbi, minister, imam, etc. they can ask to perform their wedding ceremony. Also, many of these couples do not want a J.O.P. (Justice of the Peace) because it will be too impersonal. There are, however, a number of officiants out there who are willing to take the time to get to know a couple in order to perform a personal, original, and meaningful ceremony.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. What kind of weddings have you officiated in the past? How are they different from one another? How are they similar? Can you put me in touch with some couples that you've married? What is the average cost for an officiant in your area and how does that compare with your prices? Lastly, why do you officiate weddings?

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. When I meet with couples, I enjoy us getting to know one another and then discussing the couple’s hopes for the ceremony. In particular, we explore the overall feel of the service, length of ceremony, the nature of the vows, the exchange of rings, whether or not there will be any symbolic acts during the ceremony, possible readings or other elements to include, to what extent the ceremony should be spiritual, the giving away of the bride, the plan for the rehearsal, the ceremony outline, how the couple wants to be presented, the license, and reception details.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Most couples ask me about my day job. My answer is that for eleven years I have worked in community development via nonprofits, for-profits, and public, private and charter schools. I am the Head of Upper School at Mount Vernon Presbyterian School, a masters in public administration graduate from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and co-founder of Chattahoochee Hills Charter (a school that integrates arts, agriculture, and environment). Earlier, I taught Spanish, coached volleyball, worked as a minister at a local church, and founded Summer Peru Project and Winder Camp.