Posts Tagged ‘Officiants’

• Doesn’t read the entire ceremony at rehearsal; but focuses on the elements that involve movement, actions and people
• Makes sure the ceremony site is ready for your wedding (sand, candles or ritual ready to go)
• Can be heard by your guests and knows how to use a microphone and what to do if it doesn’t
• Dresses appropriately
• Arrives early to ensure everything is ready to go and works with your other vendors to create your vision
• Is flexible and personable
• Has fun!
• Helps you to de-stress and relax
• Has a great speaking voice
• Enjoys working with others
• Can provide you with lots and lots of options
• Takes control of the rehearsal and ceremony so you don’t have to

Weddings by Sandy will be at this event to help you understand what an officiant does and how we can help you create the wedding ceremony of your dreams!

Premier Bride Presents

Bridal Show at Smyth Jewelers

Wednesday, October 17th, 2012 • 6pm-9pm

Smyth Jewelers

▪ Timonium

One lucky bride will win a  Dream Cruise Giveaway!

One lucky bride will win a  $1,000.00 vendor shopping spree for her dream wedding

Delicious Food • Beautiful Gowns

Photographers • Fresh Flowers

Cake Tasting • Meet DJs

Meet Top Wedding Planners Char Libertini and Kay Frasier as they share their professional

tips for your Dream wedding.

www.bridalshowsandexpos.com

Register on line $7.00 at the Door $12.00

410.666.1294 – Premiere Bride

410.925.1086 – Your Day Your Way

410.783.8211- Prestigious Occasions

Here is a short list of questions I typically ask during a meeting with a couple. I think these are just some of the things your officiant might need to know to understand what you are looking for so they can create a meaningful, personalized and special wedding ceremony. It is best to be open, honest and allow your officiant to get to know you so that the process will be easier. 

1.   Tell me how you met.

2.  Are you Religious, Spiritual or non-religious?   What is your religious background?   Is religion important to you? 

3.  Regarding religion; Is there anything you defiantly do or don’t want to include in the ceremony?

4.  Describe your perfect officiant.

5.  Speaking; are you comfortable speaking in public or do you want to keep it to a minimum?

6.  Writing; do you want to write vows to one another?  If you wish to write your vows but not read them to each other, you can repeat after the officiant.

7.  Are you interested in any of the rituals that can go on during a wedding such as sand, rose’s exchange, wine sharing, candle lighting?

8.  Are you planning to use a runner?  Please note:  these don’t work well on uneven surfaces such as grass or outside.  Save your money and use rose petals instead…besides rose petals are prettier.

9.  Are you including music?  Such as a vocalist or music that will play while I am speaking.  Please note: music and speaking don’t go well together, unless I use a microphone.

10.  Is anyone doing a reading?

11.  Describe your guests and your family.  How many are planning to attend?

12.  Have you worked out the processional? Will it include formal seating of parents and/or grandparents?

13.  Describe your relationship – What do you think the key for you to live a long and happy life together will be?

Please join me at the Double Tree by Hilton, Crystal City on Sunday August 26, 2012 from 12 noon to 4 PM.

This is another  in a series of shows, promoted by T-Rose International Bridal Shows, that I will be participating in.

Join us for a “Wedding of a Lifetime” a very special promotion for brides getting married in 2013.

You can get a complementary ticket by using the code word – yourwedding.   Make sure you tell them Weddings by Sandy referred you!

Go to http://trosedcmetro2012.eventbrite.com/ to register.

To learn more about the upcoming shows, click here: http://www.trosebridalshows.com/

Hope to see you on Sunday and at our future shows!

Dear Couples seeking an Officiant,

Every wedding has a budget, no matter the size or complexity of the event. It is normally wrapped around all the elements of the reception. However, I believe the ceremony is the most important part of the entire day, because this is the reason for the celebration!

I realize this is a very difficult and completely understandable discussion. While my rates will never be the highest or lowest of the choices available in our area, the care with which I treat my clients is “five-star.” I think you will find the person who writes your story as a collaborative effort and makes it a true interpretational feature of your day rather than a “point of entry” to the party, hover in the same price range as I do. Many are much higher. My fees reflect many things; the clothing I wear, time, meeting, writing and editing beforehand, rehearsals, pre-ceremony time, working and collaborating with your vendors, officiating, travel on the day of and follow-up for the license just to mention a few things.

Most of the ceremonies I book next year will be in the $400-$600 range. This isn’t greed, it is reality based on the time and care involved and a fee that will eventually allow me to do this wonderfully, fulfilling work full-time. This freedom contributes to the quality of both the finished ceremony and the process that leads up to it.

Availability is a crucial and important factor to what I do. April through November is the busiest time for anyone involved in weddings. During this time, I can’t negotiate my rates.

Usually, the difference between my pricing and an officiant who is going to do an “off the rack” ceremony is less than 200.00. I know this isn’t an insignificant amount of money, especially in light of the fact that my services are usually the lowest priced item in a wedding budget, but a ceremony prepared by me and my company will be a ceremony that your guests will remember and talk about afterwards, rather than a ceremony that accomplished the task at hand. It’s not that I won’t do a “canned ceremony,” it is that I care about the sentiment that comes with starting a new life together. I make sure that our work together results in a script that is truly unique, truly reflective of your personalities and your story, and gives your guests a gift of inspiration, of laughter, and of joy for you. Since I know you want the best officiant who can understand who you “really are” I know you will choose the one who can meet your goals.

I can’t wait to speak to you, Warmly, Sandy