FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I provide officiant services and premarital counseling (as a licensed Clinical Psychologist). My prices for premarital counseling are $110 per session for the first two sessions, or $300 for a package of 3 sessions. Premarital counseling sessions are provided by video chat at this time. My prices for officiating weddings (and vow renewals) range from $250 for a traditional wedding ceremony with no customization (you can write your own vows or other parts of the ceremony or add a cultural/unity ceremony, but I will not write a personalized wedding) to $620 for a wedding that is highly customized and that includes a rehearsal. I charge $.60 per mile beyond the first 50 miles (25 miles each way) and I am happy to travel if the wedding is on the weekend. If the travel will be more than 2 hours one way, I will charge the cost of a moderate hotel room for 1 - 2 nights, depending on whether you need me to be present on two days (for a rehearsal) or one. If you do not wish to write personalized vows, I can provide some pre-written ones at no additional charge. I can write personalized vows for you, but there is an additional fee of $120 if I write them. Prices for funerals, baby-naming and other ceremonies are provided upon request.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Typically, I email with customers back and forth once they make initial contact and if they would like to work with me, we will set up a video chat to discuss the wedding or other services (such as premarital counseling or a memorial service) so I can give accurate pricing and understand their expectations. If there is little time between inquiry and the wedding or other ceremony date, we may decide through email to work together and then have a phone call later. If the service is premarital counseling, we will set up an appointment. Once a decision is made to work together for a wedding or other ceremony, I will email a contract and send an invoice for a retainer fee (half the cost of my services) and once I receive these things, the date is reserved. Typically, I will meet with the couple to get an idea of the wedding, their relationship, and what they want to include in the wedding. There will be other contact via email. About one month prior to the wedding, I will put together a wedding script draft and send it to the couple and we will communicate about changes. The wedding script will be finalized at least one week before the wedding. Payment for the remainder of the wedding fee will be invoiced one week prior to the wedding. I will perform the wedding and file the wedding license. The couple will provide a couple of pictures from the wedding when they are available shortly thereafter. This timeline changes if the wedding was booked with shorter notice and there are only weeks between contract and wedding. In any case, things happen as they should and the wedding will be wonderful.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a BA in writing and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and have been a writer, clinician, professor and public speaker for all of my career. I have been through a training program with the American Humanist Society specifically related to performing secular services. I am uniquely qualified to provide both secular officiant services and premarital counseling.