FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

I create and perform personalized ceremonies for couples and families. I offer the following: 

• Wedding Ceremonies 
• Intimate Weding Ceremonies
• Simple Signings
• LGBTQ+ Wedding Ceremonies
• Vow Renewals
• Elopements
• Baby Blessings/ Baptisms
• Memorial Services & Funerals
• House blessings

​My services are available in the following counties in Pennsylvania: Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Lehigh, Monroe, Montggomery and Northampton.

I also perform ceremonies in Hunterdon and Warren Counties of New Jersey. 

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Travel outside of these areas can arranged.

I perform personalized ceremonies. Heart Ceremonies is an expression of my approach to creating and performing personalized ceremonies. I believe that a wedding ceremony should reflect the love, hopes and intentions of the couple being married. I utilize language, imagery and rituals that are meaningful for the family or couple. Some ceremonies may include religious language because this is meaningful for the couple. Other ceremonies may include no religious or spiritual language, and this is fine, too. I understand that a wedding ceremony is about the couple being married, not the person performing the ceremony. 

I love it when  couples choose to write their own wedding vows. If you choose to do this I will review with you the flow of the ceremony and where you would share them. I do not need your vows beforehand; but I will offer suggestions and guidance, if you wish.

Reach out to my via email at info@heartceremonies.com. You can also call or text me at 610-762-9137. 

I will first confirm my availability for your special day. I will gather information about you and the type of ceremony that you want, and answer any questions that you have about my services. I will send you a detailed explanation of my services and the fee. We would then set up a consultation Zoom meeting where we can talk in depth about your ceremony and yourselves. 

I require that a contract be signed by those who are hiring me and myself. 

Contracts are signed electronically. A $100 non refundable deposit is also required before I will sign a contract.

I have an open mind and heart; I am approachable, flexible, professional, warm and non-judgmental.  I never look down my nose at anyone because they are different than me. I welcome diversity and have learned much about life from the couples and families that I have worked with. 

I accept and respect all lifestyles, cultures and belief paths. I am confident when speaking in public, but not arrogant about my work.  I have a genuine concern and care for the couples and families that I work with.  I partner couples and families to create meaningful ceremonies.  I do not feel that I have all of the answers in life and so, I would be foolish if I did not open myself to learn from others and to therefore grow myself.

I do not provide any accessories for ceremonies. If a couple is planning on using programs, signs, candles for the Unity Candle, sand for the Sand Ceremony, tables, linens- all must be provided by the couple.  

A couple must make arranegments with their DJ or venue IF they require sound amplification for their ceremony. *I recommend that a microphone be available for all wedding ceremonies. It is the cuople's ultimate decision, however. 

At the time a contract is signed, I require a $100 nonrefundable deposit. The remainder of the payment is due two weeks before the ceremony. I accept credit cards and cash. I prefer to be paid by credit cards online.

I do not accept any checks.

Payment plans can be arranged. Please speak to me about this if you are interested.

It truly depends upon your needs and plans. A rehearsal is helpful if you have a large wedding party.  Rehearsals provide a wedding party with direction related to their role during a ceremony.  Rehearsals can be chaotic if they are not organized.  Rehearsals are also another opportunity for family 'drama' to occur. A rehearsal could also prevent drama on the day of your wedding.  In all honesty, a couple needs to reflect on what they need for their ceremony to go smoothly.   Many couples feel it is not necessary for an Officiant to attend the rehearsal if they are working with an experienced Event/ Wedding Planner.  An Event Planner/ Staff person from the venue can run a rehearsal and provide support to you and to your bridal party.  My participation and attendance at a rehearsal are an additional cost.   

I have worked with many couples who included something special or extra in their wedding ceremony.  Whether it is the presentation of Roses to Mothers, the lighting of a Unity Candle or a Wine Ceremony, there are simple ways and creative ways to add personality, humor, joy and meaning to your ceremony. We can discuss your ieas and thoughts on what makes sense for you and your ceremony. 

I have a collection of resources for Unity Ceremonies and ideas about readings for your ceremony. I will share them with you during the planning process.  I am thrilled when couples want to create their own and will work with you to meet your goal!  

I do not charge extra for the addition of any special ceremony or ritual to your ceremony.  

Let's talk about what you are comfortable with AND what would be comfortable for your children. There are many ways to include children in your ceremony besides being a ring bearer or flower girl. We can add family vows or include them in the blending of sand. 

Yes! I will be happy to perform your ceremony. You will need to apply for a wedding license, but that's needed for all ceremonies.

I perform ceremonies for all couples. Whether you are religious, spiritual, interfaith, or no faith, I officiate ceremonies for everyone. 

Yes! I am honored to unite those who love one another in marriage.  Love between two people deserves to be legally recognized and honored.   

I offer a quality professional service and share my experience, resources, and confidence with all of the couples that I work with. I offer the same support to couples who choose to elope and to couples who share their vows in front of 200 people.  

My fees are based on a number of factors relating to your request, including size of wedding celebration, location, travel considerations, preparation time, research and resources. 

I offer unlimited email and phone support, as well as Zoom meetings. I not charge more for a personalized ceremony. I do not charge more if you wish to include a Unity Candle ceremony or Sand ceremony, for example. 

All fees are reviewed and discussed after your initial contact with me. I email a detailed proposal to all couples; this clearly outlines what my fee is and what a couple will receive for that fee. Additional costs, for rehearsal and travel, are clearly stated in this document. Once a contract is signed, there are no additional 'surprise fees.'

I am not the least expensive officiant nor am I the most expensive.  

Yes! I offer all First Responders, Active Duty Military Personnel and Veterans a 10% discount on ceremony fees.  

Proof of service may be requested.  Couple may be asked for proof of service to receive this discount. Discount is applied to the final payment and proof may be required before the final payment is due..

You receive my support from the start of the planning process to the day of your event.  I offer unlimited consultation, via phone, email and Zoom. I will craft your personalized ceremony with your insights and choices. You will approve the text of your ceremony; there will be no surprises!   On the day of your ceremony, I speak with all other professionals involved and I prepare attendants and family members for the processional. I am responsible for prompting and cuing all aspects of the ceremony, from the readings to the exchange of vows.  I will perform your ceremony with joy and warmth. I sign your Marriage License and file your Marriage License, as legally required of me. 

I do not require any pre-marital classes or counseling before I perform a couple's wedding ceremony. I approach the couples who I work with as being confident and mature adults who are making a commitment based on many things;  I do not feel it appropriate to question or judge the reasons for such a commitment. I appreciate that many traditions and ministers do require some sort of preparation before a ceremony.  In the way that I work with couples, I do not feel it is realistic to expect or demand participation in classes or instruction.  I have provided pre-marital coaching/ counseling to couples, at their request.   I do charge an additional fee for this.

I arrive early to your ceremony to go over last-minute details and also complete and sign the marriage license. This allows you to celebrate at the conclusion of your ceremony with no interruption for signing document.

Documents are not signed during your wedding ceremony.

In Pennsylvania, the Officiant is only person who needs to sign your wedding license.

In New Jersey, two witnesses plus the Officiant need to sign the wedding license. It must be done before the ceremony.

The couple being married applies for and pays for their wedding license. A license must be provided to me before the ceremony can be performed.  

In Pennsylvania, a couple can apply for a wedding license in any county. They do not need to apply for a wedding license in the county where they are getting married. A wedding license is good for 60 days in PA.

The couple being married must apply for the license together. 

At the time you apply for your license you will want to inquire about how to receive your certified marriage certificate. Some offices will automatically mail you this while other offices will not. Please check at the time you apply.

Please note that a wedding license IS NOT a marriage certificate. In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, I am legally required to sign the wedding license and file it with the appropriate governmental body.

It is the governmental body that issued the wedding license that generates a marriage certificate. In Pennsylvania, a couple - on the day of their of the wedding  ceremony- receives a souvenir, a receipt, a token, but not a legal document.  The state issues the certified marriage certificate, not the Officiant.

If you need more information about wedding licenses, I encourage you to do some research online. I have some basic information about applying for a wedding license in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that that I share with couples upon request. 

Most venues allow a thirty minute window for a wedding ceremony. This is more than enough time for a ceremony. The length of the ceremony is up to you, but they typically they last about 15 - 20 minutes. 

No, you certainly do not have to invite me to your reception. I am honored when couples invite me to their wedding celebration. My typical practice is to decline. 

My husband is also ordained and has performed ceremonies for me when my father has had a medical emergency in another state. I also work closely with other professional Wedding Officiants and Ministers, so in the event of a dire emergency, I will be able to find someone who can perform your ceremony. The ceremony we have created together will be the ceremony performed for you.

Asking for a ‘short and sweet’ ceremony does not decrease my fee. I do not offer a standard ceremony for one price and a personalized ceremony for a higher price. A ceremony is not just 15 minutes; there is so much more involved in the actual ceremony and planning process! Couples benefit from my experience in creating ceremonies and my familiarity and awareness of how things should flow.

Some Officiants do charge less than $200 for their service.  It is good that the wedding market has a variety of options for couples.   I offer the same attention, care, concern and respect to all of the couples I work with, whether you are having a ceremony in your living room or at a venue surrounded by 200 guests.

When you work with me, you are securing my services for your special day.  I do not schedule two ceremonies on the same day; some Officiants will schedule more ceremonies on one day, but I am not comfortable with this.  I will not be rushing to arrive at your event or upset if things are running late.  When a couple secures my services for their special day, I make a commitment to them for their day.   I arrive about 45 minutes before a ceremony on the special day and I wait until all is ready.