Personalized Ceremonies
Let’s create a meaningful, memorable PERSONAL wedding ceremony
I will gladly meet with you either in-person or virtually to help put together your wedding ceremony. We can discuss using traditional Scriptural readings, passages from handfasting ceremonies, poetry, your personal stories, and any other spoken word aspects of your ideal wedding. I want to bring my knowledge and skills to help you put together your special day!
The level of spirituality you want at your wedding is entirely up to you. If you want it to be completely secular, I fully respect that and will accommodate. If you want a themed wedding, such as Star Trek or Lord of the Rings, I will work with you to plan the ceremony. We can discuss ceremonies that involve blessing, imbibing, and sharing bread and wine or grape juice as part of the ceremony, as well as unity candles, sand art, braiding, and other popular wedding rituals.
Legal and Ethical Notes:
I will only marry legal adults, no minors. All genders are welcome, and although there are few legal protections for polyamorous arrangements I would gladly plan a wedding ceremony for any who want to celebrate their love. I reserve the right to refuse my services to anyone, and will offer help to anyone I perceive to be in an abusive situation.
I am fully vaccinated and will wear a mask indoors. If you prefer that I wear a mask outdoors as well, I will do so.
If we meet in person I request that we do so in a public place at least the first time, and if you bring any children under the age of 18 please let me know beforehand. I am certified through the office of Ethics and Integrity in Ministry through the Diocese of Austin, TX to report abuse to the local authorities.
How we proceed
The first meeting is to see if we are a good fit, if you would like me to officiate your wedding. The second meeting would be to discuss your priorities, your ideals, and what we can reasonably do at your wedding ceremony. If you are using a wedding planner, I ask for their contact information so we can make sure we are all on the same page. After the second meeting I would give you a Letter of Agreement that would outline the details of time, place, fee, etc.
For the two meetings, planning, paperwork, ceremony script, rehearsal, and officiating your wedding I would charge $300, to be paid in full within two weeks before the ceremony. Additional costs for things such as ceremonial candles, liturgical items, bread and wine, and salon visits (if the marrying couple wants me to see one for the ceremony) will be added to the Letter of Agreement.
Any additions made after the creation of the Letter of Agreement would be put into a Revised Letter of Agreement. Check, cash, Paypal, and Venmo are acceptable and I would issue you a receipt. If for some reason the ceremony does not take place after payment and is not rescheduled for a future date, I would refund you 50% back.
I will officiate weddings in Jo Daviess county, IL, Dubuque county, IA, and Grant county, WI (see details below). I am open to officiating weddings in other locations, and would need to discuss a price adjustment to cover travel and lodging. Please contact me at least one month before your wedding so we can meet and get everything together.
County Specific Information
– In Jo Daviess County, IL, I will contact the county clerk’s office to obtain necessary documents in order for me to officiate your wedding. The sooner you contact me and we meet, the sooner I can get this done. You would pick up the marriage license at least 2 days before the ceremony, as there is a mandatory 1-day waiting period between the time it is picked up and when the ceremony can be legally performed. I would sign my section of the license after the ceremony, and it must be returned to the issuing office within 10 days of the ceremony.
– In Dubuque County, IA, I will contact the marriage licensing office to obtain necessary documents in order for me to officiate your wedding. The sooner you contact me and we meet, the sooner I can get this done. You would pick up the marriage license at least 4 days before the ceremony, as there is a mandatory 3-day waiting period between the time it is picked up and when the ceremony can be legally performed. I would sign my section of the license after the ceremony, and it must be returned to the issuing office within 15 days of the ceremony.
– In Grant County, WI, I will contact the county clerk’s office to obtain the necessary documents in order for me to officiate your wedding. The sooner you contact me and we meet, the sooner I can get this done. You would pick up the marriage license at least a week before the ceremony, as there is a mandatory 6-day waiting period between the time it is picked up and when the ceremony can be legally performed. I would sign my section of the license after the ceremony, and it must be returned to the issuing office within 3 days of the ceremony.
KKriesel 