Your Ceremony

Your ceremony will be unlike any your friends have ever seen. The reason I write custom ceremonies is to make this day your own. Words written to help you speak from the heart. The ceremony – the words that you will remember forever.

Special ceremonies like a Unity candle, sand/butterfly/water ceremony, or special reading/prayer can add special elements to a traditional wedding ceremony.
 With my help, we can create a custom ceremony that will tug at your heart, fill you with emotion, and make your wedding day unforgettable. The ceremony should both impact and impress your guests. Their comments will confirm that you made an impact on them too.

Our Face-to-Face Meeting

This is the best way to start to plan your wedding

Your personal 60 minute consultation and initial planning meeting will give you - the bride and groom - an opportunity to get meet me; your prospective wedding officiant. It is your meeting to learn about how I can support you, and create the best wedding ceremony imaginable. You also get the chance to see what I look and sound like. I am there to answer your questions and help you plan the ceremony you have always dreamed of.

During the interview, I want to share your vision – your insight – your needs, and allow me to bring all that together for both bride and groom. I will help you to create and assemble the ceremony that you always dreamed of. 

If you need help in finding the right vendors – I only recommend people I have worked with and know how they treat their customers. I know the quality of their work first-hand.

Locations

Locations – I will perform the ceremony in the location of your choice. This is your day, and your wishes are what I want to provide. Church weddings, garden, park, beach, back-yard – I will help you chose the options that best suit the needs of your wedding.

I will write and perform your religious (any faith, non-denominational, inter-faith), social, spiritual, humanist, or philosophical beliefs. I will also perform your themed wedding (example: Hawaiian, renaissance, ethnic, ect.) I also perform at the location of your choice.

The intent of our meeting is to help you with sound advice, without trying to change your wants, religious beliefs, or convictions. My ceremonies are constructed to your needs – therefore, I do not impose any set structure or format. I want you to express your deepest thoughts and desires. Your true feelings for each other will come out. Let me help you plan your ceremony, so that your dreams can come true!

Meeting locations - The meeting can take place at your home, coffee shop, restaurant, or your wedding location. Whatever makes you the most comfortable.You pick which location you prefer!

Your Rehearsal

As a wedding minister, I know that far more goes into a beautiful wedding ceremony than ever meets the eye. Indeed the most effective communication in a wedding ceremony takes place both with words – and without. The subliminal mind processes your actions; your movements. This message - without words, speaks louder than words.  How you stand, repeat your vows, light your Unity Candle, or present your roses, will give subtle messages to your guests.  It is very important then that you understand how to do all of these things with poise and confidence. The old adage “actions speak louder than words” applies to how you carry yourself during your ceremony. You want to show your guests ‘subliminally’ the same thing you are saying with words. 

The reason I feel a rehearsal is so important is that everyone in the wedding party needs to know what is expected of them, and then practice it. When I direct the rehearsal session, you will learn all that is required of you. From this experience will come confidence, and from that confidence will come poise.

From this practice and experience, you and your wedding party will be more relaxed during the ceremony. Being in this positive frame of mind during your ceremony will bring calm – the calm of knowing that nothing is unexpected or a surprise from the experience you gain from your rehearsal.

Rehearsals generally last an hour. We have fun – even though this is a serious event. We practice until everyone understands their placement, order, and responsibilities.

In a wedding ceremony performance, how you appear is as important as what you say.My extensive rehearsal session thoroughly prepares you for this most special of events.

License and Travel Information

Marriage License Information for the State of Michigan

*The following website link is for your convenience – please check with your local county clerk for any recent changes

http://www.wedalert.com/content/articles/getting_married_in_michigan.asp

In most circumstances you may apply for a marriage license at any Michigan county clerk’s office where you plan to be married. These offices are usually located in the county probate court or circuit court.

Cost of License

The marriage license fee is about $20.00 for in-state residents and $30.00 for out-of-state residents.

Residency Requirements

You do not have to be a previous or current resident of Michigan to obtain a marriage license that is valid statewide.

ID Requirements

Identification requirements vary in each county. A valid driver's license or certified copy of birth certificate may be requested.

Application Requirements

Applicants intending to marry must obtain a marriage license from the county clerk in the county in which one of the parties lives (or, if both parties are non-residents, in the county where the marriage is to be performed), and deliver it to the person who is to solemnize the marriage, before the marriage can be performed.

Both applicants are not required to appear in person at the time of applying. However, he or she will be required to complete all information about both applicants:

• A photocopy of the front and back of the other person's driver's license.

• Full names

• Addresses, dates, and places of birth

• Bride's name after marriage

Waiting Period

There is a mandatory 3 day waiting period from the application date to the date the license is issued. 

Once the license is issued, it is valid for 30 days. There is no waiting period after the license is issued. You can marry immediately after receiving your license.

There are some exceptions to the 3-day mandatory waiting period. Service members on leave and about to deploy for active duty is one generally acceptable variance.

Age Requirement

You must be 18 years old or older to marry without parental consent. A birth certificate may be necessary to show proof of age.

If either partner is under 18, parental consent forms must be signed. You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate. If you are under 16 you can not marry without a court order.

Blood Tests and Physical Exams

No blood test or physical exam is required.

License Expiration

Your license will expire 33 days from the date you apply. Please see waiting period, above this line.

Divorced and Widowed Applicants

If previously married, the date of divorce or date of spouse's death must be provided.

Who can legally perform the ceremony?

Solemnization Authority
Marriages may be solemnized by any of the following:

• Federal, probate, district, and municipal judges, and district court magistrates, in their court area

• Mayors, in their city

• Ministers of the gospel, anywhere in the state, "if the minister is ordained or authorized to solemnize marriages according to the usages of the denomination, and is a pastor of a church in this state, or continues to preach the gospel in this state."

• Non-resident ministers of the gospel, anywhere in the state, if the minister is authorized to solemnize marriages by his or her state's laws.

Solemnization Form

No particular form or oath is required. The parties merely solemnly declare that they take each other as husband and wife before at least two witnesses and the person officiating. A special law allows "the people called Friends or Quakers" and "people of any other particular denomination, having, as such, any peculiar mode of solemnizing marriages" to solemnize their marriages in their own manner.

Certificate of Marriage

After the ceremony is performed, signed and dated by the officiant and the witnesses, the original must be mailed to the county clerk that issued it within 10 days. The clerk records the information in a registration book, and mails it on to the state registrar. The person who performs the marriage must also keep a record "in a book used expressly for that purpose." The duplicate license, when fully filled out and given to the couple, thus serves a "double purpose" and becomes the certificate.

County Clerk Information

I am located in both Frankenmuth and Grand Blanc, Michigan - here is our county contact info:

Genesee County Clerk, 900 S. Saginaw St., Flint, MI  48502, (810) 257-3225
Hours:   M-F   8 am to 5 pm

Saginaw County Clerk, 9111 S. Michigan Ave., Saginaw, MI 48062, (989) 790-5251
Hours:   M-F   8 am to 5 pm

State Rules for Marriage License:

• Cost – $20 for county/state residents*
• Cost - $30 for out-of-state residents*
(contact clerk for license rules) *as of 12/2006

Other counties I work in regularly, for your convenience:

Allegan – 113 Chestnut Street, Allegan, MI 49010, (616) 673-0450

Antrim – Post Office Box 520, Bellaire, MI 49615, (231) 533-6353

Barry – 220 West State Street, Hastings, MI 49058, (616) 945-1285

Bay – 515 Center Avenue, Bay City, MI 48708, (989) 895-4280

Berrien – 811 Port Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085, (616) 983-7111

Charlevoix – 203 Antrim Street, Charlevoix, MI 49720, (231) 547-7200

Chippewa – 319 Court Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, (906) 635-6300

Clinton – Post Office Box 69, St. Johns, MI 48879, (989) 224-5140

Eaton – 1045 Independence, Charlotte, MI 48813, (517) 543-7500

Emmet – 200 Division Street, Petoskey, MI 49770, (231) 348-1744

Grand Traverse – 400 Boardman Avenue, Traverse City, MI 49684, (231) 922-4760

Gladwin – 401 Cedar, Gladwin, MI 48624, (989) 426-7351

Huron – 250 East Huron, Huron Co. Bldg., Rm. 201, Bad Axe, MI 48413, (989) 269-9942

Ingham – Post Office Box 179, Mason, MI 48854, (517) 676-7204

Ionia – 100 Main Street, Ionia, MI 48846, (616) 527-5322

Isabella – 200 North Main, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858, (989) 772-0911

Kalkaska – Post Office Box 10, Kalkaska, MI 49646, (231) 258-3300

Kent – 300 Monroe Avenue, NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, (616) 336-3550

Lapeer – 255 Clay Street, Lapeer, MI 48446, (810) 667-0356

Leelanau – 301 East Cedar Street, P. O. Box 467, Leland, MI 49654, (231) 256-9824

Lenawee – 425 North Main Street, Adrian, MI 49221, (517) 264-4594

Livingston – 200 East Grand River, Howell, MI 48843, (517) 546-0500

Macomb – 40 North Main, Mt. Clemens, MI 48043, (586) 469-5120

Mackinac – 100 South Marley Street, St. Ignace, MI 49781, (906) 643-7300

Manistee – 415 Third Street, Manistee, MI 49660, (231) 723-3331

Mason – 304 East Ludington Avenue, Ludington, MI 49431, (231) 843-8202

Midland – 220 West Ellsworth, Midland, MI 48640, (989) 832-6739

Monroe – 106 East First Street, Monroe, MI 48161, (734) 240-7020

Muskegon – 990 Terrace Street, 2nd Floor, Muskegon, MI 49442, (231) 724-6221

Newaygo – Post Office Box 885, White Cloud, MI 49349, (231) 689-7235

Oakland – 1200 North Telegraph, Pontiac, MI 48341, (248) 858-0581

Oceana – Post Office Box 653, Hart, MI 49420, (231) 873-4328

Ogemaw – 806 West Houghton Avenue, West Branch, MI 48661, (989) 345-0215

Oscoda – Post Office Box 311, Mio, MI 48647, (989) 826-1110

Otsego – 225 West Main, Gaylord, MI 49735, (989) 732-6484

Ottawa – 414 Washington, Room 301, Grand Haven, MI 49417, (616) 846-8310

Presque Isle – Post Office Box 110, Rogers City, MI 49779, (989) 734-3288

Roscommon – 500 Lake Street, P. O. Box 98, Roscommon, MI 48653

Saginaw – 111 South Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48602, (989) 790-5251

Sanilac – 60 West Sanilac Avenue, Room 203, Sandusky, MI 48471, (810) 648-3212

Shiawassee – 208 North Shiawassee Street, Corunna, MI 48817, (989) 743-2279

St. Clair – 201 McMorran, Port Huron, MI 48060, (810) 985-2200

St. Joseph – 125 West Main, P. O. Box 189, Centreville, MI 49032, (616) 467-5532

Tuscola – 440 North State, Caro, MI 48723, (989) 672-3780

Van Buren – 212 Paw Paw Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079, (616) 657-8218

Washtenaw – 200 North Main Street, Suite 110, Ann Arbor, MI 48107, (734) 222-6700

Wayne – 2 Woodward Ave., Rm. 201, Coleman A. Young Municipal Center,
Detroit, MI 48226, (313) 224-6262

Wexford – 437 East Division, Cadillac, MI 49601, (231) 779-9450

Other Ceremony Options

TRAVEL WEDDINGS – WE LOVE THEM.

Chicago, New York, Las Vegas, Bahamas, Hawaii
Work with someone local to home and then take me with you!

SOUND A LITTLE CRAZY? ACTUALLY, NO!

I have done this and they make sense. Why chance an officiant you have never met until 15 minutes before the ceremony. And speaking of ceremony – will they work with you and provide all the custom service I do?

If you have an idea for a travel location – please contact me for more information!!

CEREMONY/LICENSE – BRIDE AND GROOM EXPECTED TO OBTAIN THE PROPER LICENSE FOR YOUR STATE/COUNTY. IF LICENSE IS NOT AVAILABLE AT TIME OF WEDDING. WE WILL HAPPILY PERFORM ‘THE CEREMONY’ , BUT YOU WILL NOT BE LEGALLY MARRIED. THE LICENSE WILL HAVE TO BE PROVIDED TO ME WITHIN 48 HOURS OF THE CEREMONY, WITH THE ORIGINAL WITNESSES AND BRIDE/GROOM  IN ATTENDANCE. IF LICENSE IS LOST OR YOU GO BEYOND THE NOTED TIME-FRAME,  YOU WILL HAVE TO OBTAIN A NEW, REPLACEMENT LICENSE AND PROVIDE TWO WITNESS’ FOR SECOND CERMONY (CIVIL CEREMONY). THIS CEREMONY WILL BE PERFORMED AT ADDITIONAL COST. WHY DO I HAVE THIS ON MY SERVICES PAGE? BECAUSE IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE…MORE THAN ONCE. PLEASE USE MY WEDDING DAY CHECKLIST PROVIDED WHEN YOU SIGNED YOUR CONTRACT. HANG IT ON THE DOOR, AND MAKE SURE BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOU HAVE EVERYTHING!!!

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