Frequently Asked Questions

+ Why carefully select an Officiant?

Your wedding date is set and venue is booked. What’s next? Wedding Officiant! Your Wedding Ceremony is the first experience of your wedding day for the majority of your guests. The Officiant you select will set the tone for the rest of your day of celebration.

+ What sets me apart?

I care and I show it in the personal attention I show to each couple. I get to know my couples personally, who you are. I strongly believe, as my business card reads it’s “Your Wedding”! My focus is on you! I’m very adaptable and accommodating to your preferences, choices and schedule. I have no limit of length of time or number of readings or blessings. It’s all up to you. I will guide and talk you through your choices and preferences as you need. If you’re not sure about a section of the ceremony, I’ll describe and show many options for that and each and every part of the wedding. Often couples and I have created whole sections of ceremonies.

+ Awards

I have been awarded Best Wedding Officiant East End this year and multiple years in a row. Nominated as "The Best of Long Island Officiant" I’m very grateful to be recommended by these venues: - Peconic Bay Yacht Club - Giorgio’s - Bellport Country Club - Jamesport Manor Inn - Mansion at Oyster Bay - Crest Hollow Country Club - Bedell Cellars - RGNY Winery - Stonebridge Country Club

+ Choices

My goal is to reflect who you are in your wedding. I will follow your directions, if you have specific ideas in mind. If you need guidance, I will provide you with as many ceremony options and choices that you want.

If you need something personally adopted or created, we can do that too! Here are a few:

Unity Ceremonies - a puzzle with pieces representing the couple and their 5 young children; Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich; Oreos and Milk; Sand Ceremony adapted to beach glass and shells; A Wine Love Letter Box that also served as the envelope gift box or as the place guests place their own personal note.

Readings - combining of readings- Today I Married My Best Friend with From this Day Forward. Having two readers for one reading with them reading alternating lines. Using readings that you select as part of Welcoming Introductory remarks or Closing Blessings.

+ My Process

We meet personally. If at all possible, in person. It’s not just about picking readings and blessings. It’s the tone, the emotional ‘vibe’ of the couple. When you decide to go with me, there are handouts for each and every part of the ceremony you can take or have emailed to make final selections at your leisure. A personalized Wedding Ceremony outline is created and emailed within two weeks.

+ Location

I do weddings at high end venues on the East End, the Hamptons, the North Fork and Nassau County. I have also done weddings at fine restaurants and more humble establishments- beaches and pubs, public gazebos and private homes to name just a few.

+ Marriage License

You obtain your Marriage License directly from a Town Hall in New York State. It is in effect for 60 days, minus an initial 24 hour wait period. You then present me with your Marriage License the day of your wedding. I obtain the witness signatures, complete the Marriage License and sign it. I have five days to file it by mail with your Town Hall. I complete the marriage license before I leave your venue. On my way home, within an hour of your ceremony I file it by mail at a post office. You then receive your Marriage Certificate in the mail from Town Hall, usually within a few weeks. How long it will actually take for you to receive, it can vary greatly. Contact your Town Hall for more information.

+ In Addition

I have venue and public space recommendations- all from my experience. Witness provided for an additional fee for private ceremonies. Last minute – I’ve made myself available from just a few days to a few weeks notice. I’ve never missed a wedding. I’m a tough blooded hardy New Englander from Boston. I have back up Offiicants that would deliver as I have promised, but never had to use them. Keep in mind, there are a only about 20 prime Saturday’s in a year (Memorial Day Week - Columbus Day Weekend).