FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I usually ask 50 cents a mile each way (so $1 per mile one way), plus the thumbtack fee ($5 to $20 for weddings as thumbtack changed their policies, $15-$30 for motivational speaking, etc) plus a fee for the ceremony, which depends on many factors. My average fee with traveling is $250 to $350 for a civil or non-denominational wedding, and $450 to $950 for a Jewish wedding. I always offer to beat any other price quoted, even if my expenses aren't met. I do not charge travel fees for local weddings in my own town, but do accept any gift offered, which is usually between $75 to $150, to recoup costs from Thumbtack. Same is for Virtual Weddings. I usually do not do weddings on Friday evenings or Saturdays, but I can do so if there is lodging within walking distance, and i am able to sign paperwork before or after the sabbath. Generally, prices for Saturday weddings start at $500. I do not ask for a deposit, but if you mark me as hired and cancel within less than a month, there is a cancelation fee - usually $100, especially for a weekend ceremony. If it is less than a week, the cancellation fee is $175. In general, a wedding on a Sunday starts at $275, but could be lower if it is last minute and local. If you are further away (for example, in the Philadelphia area, Finger Lakes area, Harrisburg area, etc.) the price is $300 to $400 usually. Weekdays near Scranton or Monticello tend to start at $200 to $275, but could go lower, especially if it fits in my schedule. I do not answer email, text, or phone from sundown Friday night until about 105 minutes after sundown Saturday nights, nor major Jewish holidays. Cancellations made during that period are subject to full cost cancellation fees. I do not perform weddings in violation of Jewish law (two biological males, halachic Jews with non-Jews, Cohen to halachic divorcee or otherwise prohibited to Cohen, etc.). Marking me as hired, and/or giving me the time, place, and date of your wedding creates a contract between us. While i do not require deposits, i do request cancellation fees, particularly for Sunday weddings, especially if cancellation is made less than 72 hours before the scheduled time for wedding, unless we reschedule for a new time or date.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Hopefully, I only do one wedding with you, but I can also do other services such as baptisms, baby blessings, funerals, memorials, bar and bat mitzvahs, and other services. I will send you some sample ceremonies and you can pick what you like, or add or subtract anything you like. I just basically need the address of the venue and a number to reach you in case I get lost. I do not require a deposit. I only perform weddings which are allowed by הלכה.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am an ordained rabbi and I have a BA degree. I also work as a chaplain, and I serve a regularly established congregation, as is required by Pennsylvania law to perform all weddings. I am registered to perform weddings in NYC and Virginia, and am legally eligible to perform weddings which do not require registration or congregational affiliation for clergy, such as NJ, CT, MD, and most states. I have also registered my credentials in DE. I can perform weddings in MA, but I need an out-of-state waiver each time I perform a wedding there, so it may not be possible to perform a last-minute ceremony there.