What officiant services do you provide?
A 'Justice of the Peace' in Vermont can officiate a civil ('legal') wedding
ceremony anywhere in the State of Vermont.
I am also an ordained minister. Therefore, I can officiate a
ceremony that is civil (secular, non-religious), spiritual, or religious
(whether interfaith, or reflecting a single religious tradition) - you may
certainly choose to incorporate one or more traditional readings,
symbols or rituals of your faith(s) into your ceremony.
Are you flexible in the wording used throughout the ceremony, including the vows?
Absolutely - I have helped people to create a ceremony that is entirely 'their own', and also have used very traditional wedding ceremonies... we can include special readings, poems, music and prayers (whether traditional or original) to make your wedding ceremony say just what you mean.
A 'Justice of the Peace' in Vermont can officiate a civil ('legal') wedding
ceremony anywhere in the State of Vermont.
I am also an ordained minister. Therefore, I can officiate a
ceremony that is civil (secular, non-religious), spiritual, or religious
(whether interfaith, or reflecting a single religious tradition) - you may
certainly choose to incorporate one or more traditional readings,
symbols or rituals of your faith(s) into your ceremony.
Are you flexible in the wording used throughout the ceremony, including the vows?
Absolutely - I have helped people to create a ceremony that is entirely 'their own', and also have used very traditional wedding ceremonies... we can include special readings, poems, music and prayers (whether traditional or original) to make your wedding ceremony say just what you mean.
Do you allow the couple to write their own vows?
I not only 'allow' couples to write their own vows - I encourage it!
This is what the entire wedding is about - the vows that you will be making to each other, in front of family and friends!!
You can do this entirely on your own, or with my help... and I have many examples to show you...
Do you have a list of pre-selected readings for the ceremony?
I don't use a 'form ceremony'!
My goal is to help you to create the kind of ceremony that means the most to you!
To make this day meaningful, you may want to include the use of very traditional readings, or very contemporary readings, or something that you have written yourself.
Based on my experience and research, I have pages and pages of possible readings, vows, and ring exchanges for you to look at, but these are just examples...
I will have a LOT of questions to ask you - from your answers (and materials that you already know that you want), I will put together a 'sample ceremony' for you to review... then we begin the 'back & forth' of editing and revising until we get it just right...
How long are your ceremonies?
Some couples have asked for very 'short & sweet' exchanges of vows and rings, and some have wanted a much more elaborate ceremony involving family and friends ... this is YOUR special day - you have to decide what will make its meaning special for YOU!
But, don't worry about the length! The actual ceremony will go by quicker than you would imagine! Consider how much time you have spent getting to this place in life
... and how much you will have spent planning this day ...
... and why getting married is important to you ...
... with these considerations in mind, a few minutes here or there isn't that critical!
(Once we have drafted a 'sample ceremony', I will 'time it out' for you, if you wish.)
I live far away, and won't get to northern Vermont for many months...
a) How can we meet?
Don't worry - more than half of my couples come from out of state ... in fact, unless we've had a rehearsal the day before, it is not unusual that I don't meet the groom 'face-to face' until I shake his hand before the ceremony, or see the bride until she is coming down the aisle!!
b) Do we need a 'meeting'?
Honestly, probably not! After the first exchange of emails, and perhaps a call via telephone, you will have learned all about me, and I will have most of the information I need about you... and, we will continue to be in contact right up to the day before the wedding...
Do we need a 'sound system' or microphones for our wedding?
No! I have years of stage experience, I can be as loud as I need to be -
120 people on the top of Jay Peak have had no trouble hearing me!!
If you feel you want a sound system for other elements of the ceremony,
I recommend that you work with either your venue or your music provider, but
Microphones must be either clip-on or on a stand* - I cannot use a handheld microphone
while holding my folder with your ceremony, any readings, your rings, etc...
Also, most people in your wedding party are not experienced holding a microphone...
*If using stand mikes, it is best to use two - one for between the wedding couple
( a 'look' that I do not like!) and another for any readers.
I not only 'allow' couples to write their own vows - I encourage it!
This is what the entire wedding is about - the vows that you will be making to each other, in front of family and friends!!
You can do this entirely on your own, or with my help... and I have many examples to show you...
Do you have a list of pre-selected readings for the ceremony?
I don't use a 'form ceremony'!
My goal is to help you to create the kind of ceremony that means the most to you!
To make this day meaningful, you may want to include the use of very traditional readings, or very contemporary readings, or something that you have written yourself.
Based on my experience and research, I have pages and pages of possible readings, vows, and ring exchanges for you to look at, but these are just examples...
I will have a LOT of questions to ask you - from your answers (and materials that you already know that you want), I will put together a 'sample ceremony' for you to review... then we begin the 'back & forth' of editing and revising until we get it just right...
How long are your ceremonies?
Some couples have asked for very 'short & sweet' exchanges of vows and rings, and some have wanted a much more elaborate ceremony involving family and friends ... this is YOUR special day - you have to decide what will make its meaning special for YOU!
But, don't worry about the length! The actual ceremony will go by quicker than you would imagine! Consider how much time you have spent getting to this place in life
... and how much you will have spent planning this day ...
... and why getting married is important to you ...
... with these considerations in mind, a few minutes here or there isn't that critical!
(Once we have drafted a 'sample ceremony', I will 'time it out' for you, if you wish.)
I live far away, and won't get to northern Vermont for many months...
a) How can we meet?
Don't worry - more than half of my couples come from out of state ... in fact, unless we've had a rehearsal the day before, it is not unusual that I don't meet the groom 'face-to face' until I shake his hand before the ceremony, or see the bride until she is coming down the aisle!!
b) Do we need a 'meeting'?
Honestly, probably not! After the first exchange of emails, and perhaps a call via telephone, you will have learned all about me, and I will have most of the information I need about you... and, we will continue to be in contact right up to the day before the wedding...
Do we need a 'sound system' or microphones for our wedding?
No! I have years of stage experience, I can be as loud as I need to be -
120 people on the top of Jay Peak have had no trouble hearing me!!
If you feel you want a sound system for other elements of the ceremony,
I recommend that you work with either your venue or your music provider, but
Microphones must be either clip-on or on a stand* - I cannot use a handheld microphone
while holding my folder with your ceremony, any readings, your rings, etc...
Also, most people in your wedding party are not experienced holding a microphone...
*If using stand mikes, it is best to use two - one for between the wedding couple
( a 'look' that I do not like!) and another for any readers.
I support