Questions I've answered on Thumbtack

How does your service stand out?

I can write or adapt a wedding script on short notice. I am willing to work with any religion or combination of religious/non-religious traditions to create a ceremony that is meaningful for both partners and unique to them. I am also able to offer a completely non-religious ceremony. I have experience with theater and singing so I can incorporate those talents on the fly to prepare a ceremony that has an over all flow. More importantly, I can maintain composure and the appearance of control when the unexpected happens. 

 

What do you enjoy about the work you do? 

I find the chance to help a couple share their intention to be as one, with their friends and family thrilling. I get chills when I rehearse the lines toward the end of a ceremony when I pronounce the couple married, and when I present them for the first time as a couple.

 

How did you get started doing this type of work?

Marriage finally became fully equal and legal in California, friends and acquaintances wanted to get married. Many of them had negative memories of church from childhood, others were in mixed religion relationships. Some just wanted to get married but not in a church or a court room. I was researching what it would take for me to get ordained to start officiating when a couple of very good friends asked me to be their best man. I offered to be their back up plan for officiant as well because they were having trouble agreeing on a type of wedding, let alone who to officiate. Long story short both their specific religion choices ended up not working out and with only a few weeks before the date they asked me to step up. When all was said and done, they couldn't believe they'd considered anyone else.

 

 Do you have a standard pricing system for your service? If so, please share the details here.

My contracts have a two(+) payment system (usually an equal fraction plus mileage so far at each step.) At times of payment I like to formally check in with couple to be sure we're happy and moving forward, this is also an appropriate time to end our contract. (All scripts and plans so far would be surrendered to couple to allow them to move forward as easily as possible in the event that our contract is ended.) Notes: I usually expect meetings to be over food, client pays or provides (home made is totally acceptable!) I expect 50 cents a mile for travel to meetings, rehearsals, and ceremony. (If couple will be traveling to my area for their ceremony, "meetings" can be by phone or Skype, and don't require mileage or feeding me.) First payment at end of first meeting, if and only if we decide to move forward. (confirms that I am ready to start creating/editing/planing details of ceremony before next meeting.) Second payment after two hours of in person consultation on script or blocking of ceremony (or after those tasks appear to be completely done if done sooner. Said meetings don't usually make sense to be 2 hours long so that's actually multiple meetings.) (Rehearsal payment: formal rehearsal is optional, it increases cost by about 1/3 from base quote if it wasn't already included. I also hope to eat at the rehearsal dinner.) Ceremony payment (Last payment) after ceremony, before signatures on license. I hope to eat at the reception. By the way, I consider eating with my couples a chance to get to know them a little better socially and as such I consider this to be an important part of creating a connection that will enhance our interaction in the ceremony.

 

What types of customers have you worked with?

Meet with couple to check the fit regarding our collaboration to create the ceremony of the couples dreams/needs. (Initial meeting free) Consult on location and flow of ceremony. Research ceremony traditions appropriate to the couple's desires. Blend different traditions into one ceremony. Write and/or adapt a script for ceremony. Edit the ceremony to fit the needs of the couple and their guests. Offer creative suggestions for parts of the ceremony. Provide support with writing of personal vows. General hand holding to plan the ceremony (even including help with getting the license.) Sing a song as part of ceremony (a capela, to a track, or to live instrumentalist, also able to sing part of ceremony in style of a Cantor.) Arrive early to ceremony site, coordinate wedding party, ushers and key guests.

 

What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

Since this will usually be a public ceremony for the benefit of the guests, you really should be sure you like the voice of your officiant, just as much as being able to work with him to pin down what you want him to say and do. Knowing that your officiant can read and correctly pronounce the level of vocabulary you want in your ceremony is important, but it's also true that the officiant will be speaking to the crowd, setting the mood and helping the two of you tell your story. Some of that story is a narrative, some is actually a pantomime. Some is just literal story telling and some is better conveyed with symbolism. Quite frankly you would be well served to consider someone with a good speaking voice and maybe even a theater background. Yes, I am setting up that I have trained as a voice actor, and done some stage acting, as well as been a teacher. My public speaking and story telling skills are pretty darn good. I'm also good at recognizing that a ceremony is like theater. Your guests are already invested in the main characters (Duh, they're your friends and family, they care enough to show up for you.) but they are also looking to be entertained and maybe share a memorable moment with you. I can help with that.

 

Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?

Starting on a Tuesday, I put together the ceremony for Greg and Jeff who were getting married that Saturday. The majority of the script was settled within an hour. By Friday I had found and researched two options for a "symbolic act of unity" one was a simple hand fasting as Jeff is Wiccan, the other was to blend two colors of sand into one clear glass container to make one thing of beauty that represents their unity. Ultimately they chose the mixing of sand as Jeff wanted a much more elaborate version of hand fasting than we could prepare over night. Guests were impressed and interested in my services for their own weddings.

 

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

I have taken voice acting classes from MJ Lallo to learn to read a script well.
I taught High School for many years and developed confidence speaking in front of a crowd that may not even be friendly! And I have also learned to pronounce many different/difficult names easily.
I research the cultural traditions that are appropriate and required of a couple after first meeting once contract is started. For instance, I am currently brushing up on the structure and flow of Catholic style ceremonies to accommodate the demand. My incomplete minor in World/Art History taught me the research techniques I need for that. (Though I wonder why there is a demand, considering only a recognized Catholic priest can perform a Catholic wedding and that is only a Catholic wedding if it is actually performed inside an actual Catholic Church. So I would think the best way to get that is to approach someone at the local Catholic Church. My clients do admit they only want the style though.)