Skip to main content

Wedding Officiant FAQ

What is your price?
My fee is based on distance from my home and averages $160 to $325.
Add a rehearsal and the fee averages $300 to $625

I am having an Intimate Wedding, is the cost the same?
The cost to perform your wedding is not based on the number of guests, but the distance and time it takes for me to arrive and perform the ceremony.  No matter how short and sweet it is.

What are the minimum requirements?
You must provide a valid Marriage License and a date, time and location.

Do you have reviews and images that I can look at?
Go to..... Wedding Wire  |  Portfolio 

Can we write our own vows?
Absolutely!  OR I also provide a list of vows that are used in a 'repeat after me' format.

St Louis Officiant


Do we meet before the ceremony?
We are not required to meet in person.
If we do, you come to my home in Kirkwood.

Do you come to the rehearsal?
I do not attend a rehearsal, but I can.
Payment of Officiant Plus Rehearsal requires a specific payment plan.
We do rehearse over the phone 24-48 hours before the event.

Is there a deposit to hold the date?  Do you have an agreement?
In most cases there is a Retainer Fee to hold the date, the remainder is due 10 days before event date.
You are required to fill out a Confirmation Form and I respond with an Email Confirmation.
The Email Confirmation is considered our agreement.
For the Officiant Plus Rehearsal Package, there is a specific payment plan to follow.

What do you wear at the ceremony?
I usually wear a black pants outfit, but not a robe.

What can we do to make the ceremony last longer?
You can add parts to the ceremony like a reading, scripture or prayer.
We discuss these details on the phone.
You can symbolize your union with a unity candle, sand, roses etc.
These choices to add MUST be discussed and approved by Carolyn Burke.

What happens if you become unavailable due to illness or conflict?
In the 10 years of performing ceremonies, I have needed to find a substitute only a few times.
I provide a substitute to perform the same ceremony or you have the option to find someone else.

Do you have any special deals or features?
If you come to Kirkwood, MO my fee is $75.
I live in Kirkwood and can help you find a location such as a park or restaurant that will accommodate your style and capacity.

Popular posts from this blog

Missouri Marriage License

What Happens  Once You Get Your Marriage License in Missouri? Once you receive your marriage license from the Recorder of Deeds Office, you must use the license within 30 days, it expires after the 30th day. If you do not use the license it must be returned to the Recorder of Deeds Office. Usually there are two papers for the Wedding Officiant to fill out : the Marriage License and the Marriage Certificate. The first paper is the valid marriage license which is the legal document that an officiant fills out before the ceremony with 1) The official name of person who performs the ceremony.  2) City where the wedding takes place.  3) County where the wedding takes place. 4) Day, month and year of wedding. 5) Official signature, title and sometimes their address. St Louis City Marriage Certificate and Marriage License The second paper is the invalid marriage certificate that is given to you for keepsake purposes. In most cases, you will not be able to use the cer...

15 Unique Ceremony Ideas

Here are a few unconventional ceremony ideas to take you down the aisle with a twist. 1. Let your guests mingle over cocktails before the ceremony. 2. The couple greets the guests as they arrive at the ceremony site. 3. Face the guests when you recite your wedding vows. 4. Have your guests sit or stand in a circle around you during the ceremony. Ceremony in the Round 5. Have both parents walk you down the aisle. Dad - Bride - Mom 6. Have your husband-to-be escort you to the altar. 7. Don’t have bridesmaids or groomsmen - just the two of you. 8. Have an uneven number of attendants.     (Maybe you just want a maid of honor, but he wants three groomsmen.) 9. Have a “man of honor” instead of a maid of honor. (Your brother? A good male friend?) 10. Have the groom choose a “best woman.” (His sister? A good female friend?) 11. Don’t wear a veil. 12. Have bridesmaids carry candles instead of bouquets as they walk down the aisle. Bridesmaids H...

Date, Time and Location

What are the steps to book a ceremony with a Wedding Officiant? St Louis, MO First Step: Do you have a favorite date in mind? Perhaps a time of year or season? Maybe the answer is NOW or last minute (elopement). Coming up with a date is a priority when booking an officiant. It is obvious that we need to be available to perform the ceremony. Second Step: What time of day appeals to you? Be creative. If you choose earlier in the day, you can celebrate with a brunch. Afternoons are the most popular. Some couples choose close to a meal time to have the ceremony so guests can eat following the service.  My favorite is in the evening - close to sunset - which some say is the best time of day for great photography. Third Step: Location, Location, Location. Believe it or not, this can be the hardest of the three to plan or decide on.  Inside or outside? Too big or too small? In a private or public space?  All of these steps are not necessarily neede...