General Ceremony Questions

1. What does an officiant do during the wedding ceremony?
   The officiant conducts the ceremony and ensures all legal requirements are met for the marriage between the two parties being wed.
   

2. How long does a typical wedding ceremony last?
   Ceremonies can vary from being almost instantaneous to an hour. Most commonly, ceremonies last between 15 and 30 minutes.
   

3. What’s the difference between a civil, religious, and non-religious ceremony?
   Religious ceremonies are typically held in places of worship, led by clergy, and focus on the couple’s faith. Civil ceremonies are held in approved venues, like town halls, with a certified officiant, and emphasize the couple’s commitment over religious aspects, with room for customization. Non-religious ceremonies, like civil weddings, can be held almost anywhere with the proper permits and allow for a high level of customization.
   

4. Do you perform LGBTQ+ weddings?
   Yes, all unions are sacred to me. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I am honored to perform such ceremonies.
   

5. Do you perform interfaith or multicultural ceremonies?
   Absolutely! I honor all unions and will do my best to incorporate elements that make your ceremony meaningful.
   

6. Can Spirit & Solace Journeys accommodate non-traditional ceremonies?
   Absolutely! All ceremonies, traditional or non-traditional, are welcome.
   

7. What if we want a non-religious but spiritual ceremony?
   No matter what type of ceremony you envision, Spirit & Solace Journeys offers flexibility across all three packages to cover any preferences, whether non-religious, spiritual, or completely customized.
   

8. What makes Spirit & Solace Journeys different from other officiants?

   Honestly, the goal is the same for all officiants—to ensure that the couple has an incredible day. Spirit & Solace Journeys focuses on inclusivity, openness, and a commitment to providing the guidance and support needed to make your ceremony meaningful and stress-free.
   

9. Are you able to help with event planning or coordination?
   While I’m here to guide you through the ceremony itself and ensure it reflects your unique journey, I am not an event planner or coordinator. My focus is on crafting and officiating your ceremony. However, I’m happy to connect with any event planners, coordinators, or other professionals you’ve hired to ensure the ceremony flows smoothly within your event.
   

Personalization and Customization

1. Can we personalize our ceremony script?
   With our Love’s Promise Ceremony package, you may have minimal customization to the wedding script. However, with our The Story of Us Ceremony package, the ceremony is entirely up to you and can include any personal touches you wish.
   

2. Can we write our own vows?
   Personalized vows are available as an add-on in our Love’s Promise Ceremony package. In the Story of Us Ceremony package, personalized vows, and vow-writing assistance are included.
   

3. How do you incorporate our unique story into the ceremony?
   During our consultation, I’ll work closely with you to understand the details that matter most. From how you met to the journey you’ve shared, including any meaningful anecdotes or challenges, I’ll ensure that these elements are respectfully and beautifully woven into your ceremony.
   

4. How do you create an inclusive ceremony that reflects both of our backgrounds?
   I use a two-prong approach: a short survey to understand preferences, boundaries, or potential triggers, and a personal conversation to learn about who you are as individuals and as a couple. This approach ensures your ceremony is inclusive, respectful, and personal.
   

5. Can we include cultural or symbolic rituals in our ceremony?
   Yes! In our Story of Us Ceremony package, you may include one symbolic or cultural ritual, with options to discuss additional elements during the consultation.
   

6. Are there any rules or restrictions on how we structure the ceremony?
   In the Story of Us Ceremony package, the ceremony structure is entirely up to you. In the Love’s Promise and Sweet & Simple Ceremony packages, there are some guidelines based on the ceremony type you choose.
   

7. What should we expect during a consultation with our officiant?
   During our consultation, we’ll discuss the ceremony’s tone and content, any rituals or anecdotes you’d like to include, and how we can best personalize your day based on your chosen package.
   

Packages and Services

1. What’s included in the Keepsake Ceremony Script add-on?
   The keepsake ceremony script is a beautifully framed, printed copy of your wedding ceremony script, providing a memorable keepsake of the words shared on your special day.
   

2. How does your "Vow Band Backup" work?
   I carry a set of simple rings as stand-ins in case the real wedding bands are misplaced. While it’s not required, this option can ease any stress about misplacing rings, knowing there’s a backup ready for the ceremony.
   

3. Can we keep the “Vow Band Backup” rings as a memory?
   Yes! When you select the “Vow Band Backup” option, you can choose to keep the rings as part of your keepsake package. If you also select the keepsake ceremony script, the rings can be beautifully displayed in the framed script.
   

4. Can you provide a keepsake of our ceremony script?
   Yes, keepsake copies of your ceremony script are available as an add-on for all packages.
   

5. Do we need to have a rehearsal?
   Rehearsals are optional but can help ensure the ceremony goes smoothly. Rehearsal attendance is an add-on for the Love’s Promise Ceremony package but is included in the Story of Us Ceremony package.
   

6. Do you offer elopement or short-notice ceremonies?
   Yes, I offer short notice and elopement services under our Sweet & Simple Ceremony package. Short notice refers to ceremonies within five months of the wedding date; a fee applies depending on how close the booking is to the wedding date.
   

7. Do you offer virtual/tele-weddings?
   Yes, I provide virtual ceremonies in the Sweet & Simple Ceremony package.
   

8. What should we know about planning for a tele-wedding?
   Tele-weddings are a wonderful option for couples who want to marry and are unable to be with loved ones. We’ll discuss technical setup and walk-through platform options to ensure everyone involved has a seamless experience. Please have two witnesses present for the ceremony. We’ll provide a guide to help you and your guests set up, and I’ll help make sure the entire process is as smooth as possible.
   

9. Can we meet in person before the wedding?
   Yes! Our initial consultation can take place over the phone, in person, or virtually. If you’d like an additional in-person meeting closer to the wedding (such as a month or two before), there will be an additional fee of $75-$100 to cover travel time and preparation.
   

Legal and Logistical Details

1. What is required to make our marriage legal?
   In California, both parties must be at least 18 years old, obtain a marriage license from the county clerk’s office, present a valid government-issued photo ID, and have the ceremony officiated by an authorized person. The license must be obtained before the ceremony and is valid for 90 days, with no extensions.
   

2. Do you handle filing the marriage license?
   Yes, as an ordained minister, I am able to handle the marriage license in the state of California.
   

3. Are there any restrictions on where you can perform ceremonies?
   Some venues may have specific restrictions or ordinances that affect my ability to perform ceremonies. I am ordained to solemnize marriages in 46 states; currently, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia are not available.
   

4. What happens if one of us forgets our ring(s)?
   I provide a service called "Vow Band Backup" with simple backup rings on hand for use during the ceremony in case a ring is misplaced.
   

5. How far in advance should we book our officiant?
   The best time to book is within six months to a year in advance.
   

6. What happens if our venue has restrictions?
   If the venue has restrictions that could affect the ceremony, we’ll explore options together, whether that involves finding another officiant, discussing alternative venues, or working with the venue to see if adjustments can be made.
   

Payments, Deposits, and Fees

1. Do you require a deposit?
   Yes, a 35% non-refundable deposit is required. It is based on the Ceremony package and add-ons you have chosen.
   

2. What happens if we need to reschedule or cancel?
   Rescheduling incurs an additional fee of 75% of the ceremony’s cost.
   

3. How flexible are you with last-minute changes?
   Flexibility depends on the nature of the change. Minor adjustments, like updating a name, may incur a small 10% adjustment fee. However, changes that affect another person’s wedding date or other commitments may result in a 100% penalty charge due to the impact on previously scheduled ceremonies.
   

4. Are there additional fees for out-of-state tele-weddings?
   Yes, there is an additional charge of 20-30% for out-of-state tele-weddings. This covers any extra logistical preparation, research into state-specific requirements, and ensuring that all legal aspects are met for the location.
   

5. Do you travel to different locations for ceremonies?
   I primarily officiate in Los Angeles, but I am available to travel throughout California. Travel and lodging costs will be added for locations outside Los Angeles.