PLEASE NOTE:
I consider myself reserved to perform a ceremony when I have BOTH a signed agreement AND a deposit in hand. Frequently I have two or more couples interested in the same date. The first one to have met with me, returned a signed Agreement and deposit is the one I consider myself reserved to perform their ceremony first and foremost. Occasionally I may be able to perform two ceremonies on the same date if couples are flexible with start times, but not always. It depends on travel, start times, etc.
Please keep this in mind when setting an appointment with me and returning paperwork.
I consider myself reserved to perform a ceremony when I have BOTH a signed agreement AND a deposit in hand. Frequently I have two or more couples interested in the same date. The first one to have met with me, returned a signed Agreement and deposit is the one I consider myself reserved to perform their ceremony first and foremost. Occasionally I may be able to perform two ceremonies on the same date if couples are flexible with start times, but not always. It depends on travel, start times, etc.
Please keep this in mind when setting an appointment with me and returning paperwork.
How Much Does It Cost?
Fees
I'm often sent an email or a message that simply asks "We're looking for someone to marry us. How much do you charge?" I wish the answer was a straight-forward one! There are many variables that affect the fee, much like there are in planning your reception or buying a car. Just some of the questions we discuss during our initial consult that help answer this question are:
The best way for us to answer the question of 'how much do you charge?' is for you, your sweetheart and I to set up a time to talk virtually, usually via Zoom. We'll talk about the details of your special day, get to know each other, I can answer many of your questions and we can determine if we're a good fit for each other. If we agree, then I will be able to answer the question very specifically, based on your unique circumstances.
Typical Packages
A Moment in Time
This package includes the bare minimum needed to be considered legally married. It includes a very short ceremony in front of a handful of witnesses/guests, with minimal travel/expense for me. No rehearsal is necessary, and the ceremony is usually more non-religious, civil in nature and not custom-written. This package is intended for a couple who wants to be married without any fanfare. Often it's a couple who is already planning a larger ceremony for family/friends, but would like to be married by year's end for tax reasons, as an example. It includes the completion of the marriage certificate, filing the certificate with the appropriate governmental agency, and follow-up with the couple regarding obtaining certified copies of their marriage certificate and how to go about name changes and notification of others regarding their status change.
Oh Happy Day
This is the package most couples have in mind when contacting me. It includes:
Options for the Oh Happy Day package may include - items such offering a prayer (say grace) at the reception, depending on my availability or if I'll be staying in the area that night; including communion for the couple, the family or all guests at the ceremony or at the rehearsal the night before; travel to a destination outside the Chippewa Valley, Wisconsin; premarital education; or a themed ceremony that might include special attire to be rented such as a period costume.
Oh Happy Life
This package is for the couple who truly wants to give their relationship every possible chance for success.
It includes everything listed in the Oh Happy Day package, as well as ten premarital education sessions and an online relationship assessment to help a couple identify their strengths and areas for continued growth.
During these sessions we focus on practical tools, scientific research and advice from experts and couples married at least 25 years or more to prepare you for the most important relationship of your life. Dr. Gary Chapman (author of The 5 Love Languages and at least 10 other best-selling relationship books) says it best when he says:
"Most of us spend more time preparing for our vocations than we do preparing for marriage. Maybe that is why we are more successful in our jobs than in our marriages. Yet life's meaning is not found in money but in relationships, and marriage is designed to be the most intimate human relationship. If you want a successful marriage, then spend time preparing."
There are open, honest discussions held between the two of you in private, as well as homework and feedback during our sessions together. By the end of the program:
In some jurisdictions, a discount toward your marriage license is offered if a couple completes a certain number of premarital education classes including certain topics of study. In the state of Minnesota, for instance, a discount is offered if the person leading premarital education completes and notarizes a specific form stating the couple has completed a prerequisite number of hours toward premarital education including certain elements. This package can be tailored to fit those requirements.
Option for the Oh Happy Life package: Include an annual wellness check! Once a year we go to our physician for an annual exam to determine our overall health and make adjustments to keep our bodies functioning the best they can. Consider an annual review of your relationship health as well. Given the health of your relationship has been scientifically identified as being a large factor in each partner's overall physical and mental health, financial success, the success of your children, the success of your career and more, this can be a very valuable tool in assuring your overall health and well-being in multiple areas of your life and future generations of your family.
Regardless of which package you choose, you are making an investment in the most important relationship of your life. My promise to you is that I take my responsibility and commitment to helping you achieve your dream very seriously, and I hope you do as well.
Oh Happy Officiant
This package is for couples who have a family member or friend they'd like to have perform their ceremony, but who hasn't performed one before. As part of this package, I:
Miscellaneous Services Also Available
Premarital Education - Premarital education is an opportunity for a couple to set a strong foundation for the rest of their lives together. During each session you'll talk with your partner about many areas of your relationship and set goals and have a map of how you can keep your love strong, healthy and passionate for many years to come. For more in-depth information about my premarital education program, please see my Premarital Education page.
Elopement - For couples wishing to elope (get married in a very small ceremony somewhere special with just a few guests in attendance), I also have a great idea. As co-owner of Basswood Chalet & Guesthouse in New Auburn, Wisconsin, it's possible for you to get away for a special weekend in which you can be married and enjoy a stay in a wedding suite overnight or for a few days. We can make it as simple, elegant, relaxed or unique as you'd like - a limited number of guests can attend; we can help coordinate many of the details including an onsite photographer/videographer, officiant, decorations, catering, and accommodations for the bride and groom before/after their ceremony. Be married inside a European style, elegant chalet by its 25 foot river rock fireplace; out in the woods Bohemian style under a canopy of trees; or on a balcony with guests below like Romeo & Juliet might have done.
Relationship Coaching - Sometimes a couple has a particular challenge occurring in their relationship and could use some help moving through it. Perhaps a couple feels they've become disconnected over time and would like to feel the way they did on the day they said "I Do" (or even better!). Together we can explore how to move through these tough times and come out healthier and stronger on the other side, with a deeper, more meaningful connection than before. I offer a complimentary session to determine what our goals are, whether I can help and begin establishing a roadmap to success.
To contact me regarding any of the above, please click here:
I'm often sent an email or a message that simply asks "We're looking for someone to marry us. How much do you charge?" I wish the answer was a straight-forward one! There are many variables that affect the fee, much like there are in planning your reception or buying a car. Just some of the questions we discuss during our initial consult that help answer this question are:
- Am I creating a custom-written ceremony or performing an already-written religious ceremony, such as one read from a church prayer book?
- Will I be leading a rehearsal in addition to performing the ceremony?
- Is there a theme to your ceremony that would require special accessories or clothing for me?
- Will I be traveling to your location outside my local area, and/or perhaps staying overnight?
- Are there elements to the ceremony that I will be providing, such as wafers, wine, incense, outfit rental, etc.?
The best way for us to answer the question of 'how much do you charge?' is for you, your sweetheart and I to set up a time to talk virtually, usually via Zoom. We'll talk about the details of your special day, get to know each other, I can answer many of your questions and we can determine if we're a good fit for each other. If we agree, then I will be able to answer the question very specifically, based on your unique circumstances.
Typical Packages
A Moment in Time
This package includes the bare minimum needed to be considered legally married. It includes a very short ceremony in front of a handful of witnesses/guests, with minimal travel/expense for me. No rehearsal is necessary, and the ceremony is usually more non-religious, civil in nature and not custom-written. This package is intended for a couple who wants to be married without any fanfare. Often it's a couple who is already planning a larger ceremony for family/friends, but would like to be married by year's end for tax reasons, as an example. It includes the completion of the marriage certificate, filing the certificate with the appropriate governmental agency, and follow-up with the couple regarding obtaining certified copies of their marriage certificate and how to go about name changes and notification of others regarding their status change.
Oh Happy Day
This is the package most couples have in mind when contacting me. It includes:
- Meetings and all communications with a couple to identify what a couple's vision for their ceremony may be;
- A custom-written ceremony about the two of you, your love story, what you believe and what you want your ceremony to say to your guests;
- Leading a dress rehearsal either the night before or morning of the ceremony;
- Offering a prayer (say grace) at the rehearsal dinner;
- Performing the ceremony in person at the agreed-upon location;
- Completion of the marriage certificate and filing it with the appropriate governmental agency afterward;
- Participation in any photos or videos the couple has requested;
- Follow-up with the couple regarding obtaining certified copies of their marriage certificate; and
- Downloadable information on how to go about changing one's name and notifying others who request notification of status changes following the ceremony.
Options for the Oh Happy Day package may include - items such offering a prayer (say grace) at the reception, depending on my availability or if I'll be staying in the area that night; including communion for the couple, the family or all guests at the ceremony or at the rehearsal the night before; travel to a destination outside the Chippewa Valley, Wisconsin; premarital education; or a themed ceremony that might include special attire to be rented such as a period costume.
Oh Happy Life
This package is for the couple who truly wants to give their relationship every possible chance for success.
It includes everything listed in the Oh Happy Day package, as well as ten premarital education sessions and an online relationship assessment to help a couple identify their strengths and areas for continued growth.
During these sessions we focus on practical tools, scientific research and advice from experts and couples married at least 25 years or more to prepare you for the most important relationship of your life. Dr. Gary Chapman (author of The 5 Love Languages and at least 10 other best-selling relationship books) says it best when he says:
"Most of us spend more time preparing for our vocations than we do preparing for marriage. Maybe that is why we are more successful in our jobs than in our marriages. Yet life's meaning is not found in money but in relationships, and marriage is designed to be the most intimate human relationship. If you want a successful marriage, then spend time preparing."
There are open, honest discussions held between the two of you in private, as well as homework and feedback during our sessions together. By the end of the program:
- you'll know the real reasons why you're getting married;
- set realistic expectations and goals for your relationship both short-term and long-term;
- learn how to forgive the other even when it seems impossible;
- know how to recognize when your partner is entering a new stage of their life and how to support them;
- know the secrets successful couples have learned on how to stay blissfully happy many years into your marriage;
- have a written plan on how to keep your relationship healthy and vibrant; and
- have a plan on how to fix your relationship if you ever need to do so.
In some jurisdictions, a discount toward your marriage license is offered if a couple completes a certain number of premarital education classes including certain topics of study. In the state of Minnesota, for instance, a discount is offered if the person leading premarital education completes and notarizes a specific form stating the couple has completed a prerequisite number of hours toward premarital education including certain elements. This package can be tailored to fit those requirements.
Option for the Oh Happy Life package: Include an annual wellness check! Once a year we go to our physician for an annual exam to determine our overall health and make adjustments to keep our bodies functioning the best they can. Consider an annual review of your relationship health as well. Given the health of your relationship has been scientifically identified as being a large factor in each partner's overall physical and mental health, financial success, the success of your children, the success of your career and more, this can be a very valuable tool in assuring your overall health and well-being in multiple areas of your life and future generations of your family.
Regardless of which package you choose, you are making an investment in the most important relationship of your life. My promise to you is that I take my responsibility and commitment to helping you achieve your dream very seriously, and I hope you do as well.
Oh Happy Officiant
This package is for couples who have a family member or friend they'd like to have perform their ceremony, but who hasn't performed one before. As part of this package, I:
- Work with you to create and write a personalized ceremony that reflects you, your love story, your beliefs and what you want your ceremony to say about the two of you and to your guests;
- Provide your chosen person with information regarding how to perform specific traditions included in your ceremony such as unity candles, sand ceremonies, hand fasting, lasso traditions, etc.;
- Teach your chosen person how to lead your wedding rehearsal;
- Provide insider information to your person on how to make your ceremony look professional;
- A review of your marriage certificate to assure proper completion before it's filed;
- Provide guidance to your person on how to file the paperwork properly once reviewed;
- Follow-up with the bride and groom on how to obtain certified copies of your marriage certificate afterward; and
- How to go about any name changes and updating marital status with the myriad of agencies, companies and others who require notice once a couple is married.
Miscellaneous Services Also Available
Premarital Education - Premarital education is an opportunity for a couple to set a strong foundation for the rest of their lives together. During each session you'll talk with your partner about many areas of your relationship and set goals and have a map of how you can keep your love strong, healthy and passionate for many years to come. For more in-depth information about my premarital education program, please see my Premarital Education page.
Elopement - For couples wishing to elope (get married in a very small ceremony somewhere special with just a few guests in attendance), I also have a great idea. As co-owner of Basswood Chalet & Guesthouse in New Auburn, Wisconsin, it's possible for you to get away for a special weekend in which you can be married and enjoy a stay in a wedding suite overnight or for a few days. We can make it as simple, elegant, relaxed or unique as you'd like - a limited number of guests can attend; we can help coordinate many of the details including an onsite photographer/videographer, officiant, decorations, catering, and accommodations for the bride and groom before/after their ceremony. Be married inside a European style, elegant chalet by its 25 foot river rock fireplace; out in the woods Bohemian style under a canopy of trees; or on a balcony with guests below like Romeo & Juliet might have done.
Relationship Coaching - Sometimes a couple has a particular challenge occurring in their relationship and could use some help moving through it. Perhaps a couple feels they've become disconnected over time and would like to feel the way they did on the day they said "I Do" (or even better!). Together we can explore how to move through these tough times and come out healthier and stronger on the other side, with a deeper, more meaningful connection than before. I offer a complimentary session to determine what our goals are, whether I can help and begin establishing a roadmap to success.
To contact me regarding any of the above, please click here: