I Now Pronounce You!
I Now Pronounce You!

I Now Pronounce You!

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Scheduling
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Introduction: I am only available for virtual weddings until Jan, 2021! I perform "Virtual Weddings" via Zoom in this crisis time of social distancing and staying home. (Yes, this still requires a license and witnesses, as well as passing the license around for signatures. And, YES, it's legal!) These weddings can take place at any time with participants being available via video even in different locations anywhere in the world. The marriage license must be in the same state in which at least one of the wedding couple is during the ceremony. Here's a bit about me: I send my couples a questionnaire 30 days before the wedding. That is about as long as they can go without talking together about it! Most couples have loved filling it out. It's due back in the week before the wedding. I write the entire ceremony and vows from the couple's words, telling the story of how they came to love each other. Guests are enchanted. The couple is, too, since they don't know what's coming! It's very touching, often hilarious and always moving. How long is a ceremony? Usually about 15 or 20 minutes. ~~~~ Weaving ritual into ceremonies is my specialty. There are dozens of tiny little traditions from nearly every ethnic and religious background. Handfasting is probably the most popular because it's so versatile. I use it often to weave children into blended family ceremonies. When I first meet with couples, I always make sure that they know about traditions from their backgrounds and how they might use them to celebrate their marriage. ~~~~ There are lots of reasons for elopement or urgent weddings. I've had people who needed desperately to get on health insurance for coverage as a spouse. For some couples, there are family reasons to keep it tiny and even away from people who might be negative or even safe. And for some couples an intimate wedding in a place they feel is important to them is how they want to be wed. For most elopements, if there is time, I still craft their ceremony and vows from their questionnaires. How many people are present has nothing to do with how beautiful and personal the ceremony can or should be! ~~~~ Sometimes it just needs to happen quickly and simply. I have short ceremonies that I can use instantly if that's necessary. I had one couple that needed to be married the next day because of the bride's military deployment. They had no money for venue or flowers. I went early to their area and was able to get permission from a beautiful nursery to hold their tiny wedding among the flowers and plants. The nursery staff even put together her bouquet, picking and assembling blooms into something beautiful. ~~~~ I bring a full sound system to every wedding. Microphones, PA speakers, Bluetooth music devices and all the music files. I have a full sound editing system and can prepare ANY music you want. If you need help I have lots of resources. And, yes, you can change anything right up to the night before the wedding This is all included in my fee. My system can run on battery. ~~~~ $300 Includes Meeting with couple Crafting ceremony and vows from questionnaires and meeting notes Special rituals (like handfasting, San San Kudo, custom rituals, etc. Wedding rehearsal or dinner Preparing all music for before, during and immediately after ceremony (I use Spotify) Wedding ceremony - arriving 1 hour early, remaining through reception start including set up of all sound equipment and playing music and ceremony songs Creating a digital book of all notes, emails, texts, answers, ceremony and documents Making sure wedding license is valid, signed properly and delivered to appropriate county office Mike Ashland
Overview

Hired 67 times

Background checked

2 employees

38 years in business

Payment methods

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, Credit card, PayPal, Square cash app, and Venmo.

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2018

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Specialties
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Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.

Great 4.8

42 reviews

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pro avatar
Raquel T.
Oct 6, 2015
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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

We hired Michael as our officiant for our wedding ceremony. We were looking for something non-religious and personal and Michael knocked it out of the park. We filled out our respective questionnaires and the ceremony and vows that he crafted from them were so touching. We received compliments throughout the night regarding the great job that Michael did and the unique ceremony we had. I would recommend Michael in the future for couples looking for a personal ceremony without having to memorize your own vows.
Wedding Officiant
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Suvi C.
Sep 20, 2017
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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

We are so happy that we had Mike officiate our wedding. We really wanted the ceremony to be the main focus of the day. We are not a religious couple, but wanted our wedding to still feel ceremonial. It was important to us to have some Celtic traditions, and some modern wedding phrases, but the majority of the ceremony was a wonderful surprise. Mike has a great system of sending a questionnaire to fill out and then he incorporates it into the ceremony. Somehow he knew just what to include and weave our responses into the traditional elements we requested. It took the pressure off of us! Allowing Mike to do his thing meant that we could let go and really feel all our emotions in the moment. Just want we wanted. Our guests marveled at how personal the ceremony was, were touched that we included so much family history, and there was plenty of laughter and fun mixed in. Mission accomplished - everyone felt the love! We highly recommend Mike to officiate your wedding! He's experienced, a skilled orator, and will execute your vision flawlessly.
Wedding Officiant
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Lisa O.
Jun 8, 2016
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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

Reverend Mike did a fantastic jog pulling together a vow renewal ceremony for our Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration (30+ couples) at our The Springs at Carman Oaks! It was a very special day for the celebrants and those in attendance! Now we're considering an annual memorial with Reverend Mike officiating.
Non-Denominational Wedding Officiant
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Celeste A.
Nov 5, 2014
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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

Mike made us feel immediately at-ease. After having some very unfortunate luck trying to pin down a wedding officiant, we stumbled on Thumbtack and thus, Mike Ashland. What an amazing stroke of good fortune! Our families both commented on how nice it was getting to speak with him, and what an entertaining ceremony we had. The ceremony revealed our love for one another in a way that was honest and genuine, in our own words instead of a using a generic template. His communication was direct, clear, genuine, and prompt. He took the time to interact with the whole family, and to include everyone he could. His love for officiating is obvious: a calming demeanor, a wonderful sense of humor, a touch of the theatrical, and wide-eyed honesty combined to create a most memorable experience that made us laugh and cry. Valuable above and beyond any monetary price- this was an experience that money simply cannot buy and Mike made it as special as it could possibly be. Mike, you have our sincere thanks! If we ever need an officiant for other family celebrations or losses, we will certainly be coming to you to be there with us to officiate. Let us know when you are in town next!
Wedding Officiant
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Heather b.
Feb 11, 2016
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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

Reverend Mike officiated our wedding January 2016 and he was amazing! Everyone at the wedding raved about him and wondered how long we had known him for. They were astounded that we had "found him online"! Mike made our ceremony so special and unique to us. The questionaries really helped hone in on the personalization and we highly recommend doing your best on these to make your ceremony and day that much more awesome! We would not hesitate to recommend Reverend Mike. He also provided a much needed help with our music and even directed us by way of announcing the dance, and cake and toasts. He was fantastic and absolutely made our wedding the best it could be. Hire him!!! He's worth every penny! Thank you again, Reverend Mike! You rock!
Non-Denominational Wedding Officiant
Credentials
Background Check

Michael Edward Ashland