Minister In A Minute | Weddings, Renewal of Vows, Civil Unions, Funerals, House Blessing

When contacting me about your wedding, please give me the approximate date you plan to be married, the location you've chosen if known, how many people you expect will attend, and a little bit about what type of ceremony you envision. If I'm available for your date and it seems we would be a good match, we will get down to business.

I will send you some sample scripts to choose from or to use for inspiration in writing your own. Or if you wish, I can create a custom ceremony for you, though my rates reflect more of a "do-it-yourself" quality. Many couples prefer have control over the content of the ceremony script. After gleaning a little bit about your personality and what type of ceremony you have in mind, I can perhaps suggest some components for your ceremony. You are welcome to write your own vows or use the traditional and contemporary vows I supply. I will e-mail you a copy of the ceremony for your input, revisions, additions, deletions, etc. Once you are happy with your vows, we can meet in person prior to your wedding to go over the details or rehearse if necessary, visit the wedding location, or whatever you need to feel confident that your wedding will go smoothly.

My "no frills" service includes the ceremony, the signing and filing of the marriage license for recording with your state, and a complimentary keepsake marriage certificate. Any vendors, such as a photographer, flowers, unity ceremony props, and so on, would be the responsibility of the wedding couple, or I can provide those services for you, as well. I can direct you to the marriage license agents and can steer you toward some economical vendors for your wedding extras.

I can put together a "wedding package" on a case-by-case basis, if you'd like to specify what you'd like in the way of flowers, photograpaher, musician, cake, champagne, sparkling cider, etc., but I really find that the couples I work with prefer to have a little control over their event and enjoy choosing the extras on their own. I work well with "do-it-yourself" type couples.

I would be happy to snap a a few photos with my digital camera, or yours, before or after the ceremony, but no guarantees on quality there. I can also refer you to an excellent wedding photographer to capture memories of your special day.

Renewal of Vows

Whether a reaffirmation of the party you couldn't afford when starting out, vow renewal is a glorious celebration of continued commitment.

One of the most wonderful and joyful of all ceremonies that I have the pleasure to participate in is a vow renewal ceremony. Basically, a vow renewal is a ceremony in which an already married couple re-affirms their love for one another and their commitment to their marriage by either repeating their original wedding vows, or by writing new vows to reflect their relationship as it currently is.

There are two basic reasons for having a vow renewal ceremony. First, a renewal is normally held on a significant anniversary (10, 20, 25, or 50, for example), as part of the anniversary celebration. These ceremonies are often a celebration of a marriage that works. Second, gaining in popularity among couples, is a formal renewal ceremony following a civil wedding ceremony or elopement. For some couples, this is the opportunity to have their commitment to one another blessed by the church and/or witnessed/celebrated by their family and friends.

By taking a special day to honor your Marriage, you are commemorating and celebrating your time together; calling to mind the memories and family you've created together; and rejoicing in the laughter you've shared; while treasuring the secrets you've gathered. It is a blessing that the joy of Matrimony has given you both a past and a future.

The Vow Renewal Ceremony is to embrace that past, while anticipating your future.

The special event of bringing a child into your family can be enhanced and punctuated with a ceremony with friends and family. In the case of adoption, an Adoption Ceremony is especially important to introduce the child to your relatives and friends, ceremoniously giving the child a family and safe reliance network.

If a family doesn't wish to christen their child in a traditional religion or church setting, an Appellation Ceremony, Baby Naming Ceremony or Child Dedication or Blessing can be a meaningful alternative for the family and friends and later for the child with the keepsake copy of the ceremony. Not only is the family announcing the arrival of the child into the world, but also assigning a name, defining or outlining the family's values, and appointing a support network for your child. Those invited to share in the ceremony become part of the child's network of mentors and guardians. Chosen adults can be named to take a special interest in the child's future, sometimes called guide-parents or god-parents. Adding a new family member is a good time to begin enshrining a family's values as a guideline as to how they will be raising the child.

The transition from childhood to young adulthood is an important milestone to mark commonly called Coming of Age and celebrated with a Rite of Passage. Guiding the control of the child's life from parental control/responsibility toward self-control/responsibility, we can create a generation of positive contributors to society.

House Blessing

A perfect way to start a new beginning in your new home is to have a House Blessing. When you move into a new place, you want the energy to be fresh and new and uniquely yours. I will work with you and others that will live there to clear out any old negative or stagnant energy and replace it with positive, healthy, light energy in every room as well as the outdoor property.

A special candle is invoked for each room to create a sense of peace, balance and harmony throughout the house. This is a sacred act that renders your house your own. Our homes are mirrors of who we are, they reflect our interests, how we interpret ourselves, what we believe in, and our spirituality. When a home is filled with harmony it can be a place of peace and renewal, a sanctuary to recharge and renew. Blessing a house honors the place and creates a sacred space for the people living there.

Blessings have been a part of all cultures since the beginning of time, infusing many of our life passages with purpose and spiritual substance. House blessings can be done for all Spiritual and Christian beliefs. Blessing ceremonies abound in every religion and spiritual discipline. Choose one that feels right or create your own.

CEREMONY/LICENSE - THE BRIDE AND GROOM ARE EXPECTED TO OBTAIN THE PROPER LICENSE FOR YOUR STATE/COUNTY. IF LICENSE IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE WEDDING, WE WILL HAPPILY PERFORM ‘THE CEREMONY’, BUT YOU WILL NOT BE LEGALLY MARRIED. THE LICENSE WILL HAVE TO BE PROVIDED TO ME WITHIN 48 HOURS OF THE CEREMONY, WITH THE ORIGINAL WITNESSES AND BRIDE/GROOM IN ATTENDANCE. IF LICENSE IS LOST OR YOU GO BEYOND THE NOTED TIME FRAME, YOU WILL HAVE TO OBTAIN A REPLACEMENT LICENSE AND PROVIDE TWO WITNESSES FOR A SECOND CERMONY (CIVIL CEREMONY). THIS CEREMONY WILL BE PERFORMED AT ADDITIONAL COST.

Services I Provide

Wedding Officiant

Renewal of Vows

Family Ceremonies, Adoption, Baby Naming, Rites of Passage

House Blessing