Fees & Services

The Heart Of The Couple Is The Heart Of The Ceremony

Heart Ceremonies: Personalized Wedding Ceremonies

Rev. Stephanie Anne Thompson, Wedding Officiant

info@heartceremonies.com

610.762.9137

The term Wedding Officiant has been around for some time, but has become the primary term in web directories for listing people authorized to perform weddings. This term reflects the broader background of individuals officiating at weddings. Some might say that "clergy and minister" suggests a religious perspective to a ceremony. Clergy, Officiant, minister, celebrant and Officiant are only titles. They are terms to describe anyone who is able to perform or 'officiate' a wedding ceremony.

My Services As An Officiant

As a Wedding Officiant, I am the co-creator, consultant, resource person, encourager, advisor and the Officiant of your wedding ceremony. I organize each ceremony with professionalism and heart, and always keep the focus on the couple. I put dedicated time, energy and effort into leading each wedding ceremony. I work with couples before the day of their wedding celebration, as well as on their special day. I want to get to know and understand a couple's hopes, and dreams.

I realize that the actual wedding ceremony is one part of a greater event. When I meet with couples, we review elements of the wedding ceremony you envision: vows, rings, readings, music, everything--including your family considerations, location characteristics, and everything else involved in planning your unique wedding. We discuss feelings and beliefs, and any unique circumstances. I always respect a couple's wishes and feelings, and together, with the couple customize the ceremony.

From our first meeting to the day of your ceremony, I am available for guidance, information, and support. Unlimited phone and email contact is offered to all couples that I work with.

I have heard quite a few stories about things that have been said at weddings by other wedding officiants that the couple did not want said. Maybe you've heard some odd things yourself at a friend's wedding. An Officiant should say all the right things, the way you want them said, and nothing else. The only way to ensure this is to have the Officiant provide you a written transcript of the planned ceremony in advance of your wedding.

I have performed over 300 weddings, and no two weddings have been exactly the same. That is because after meeting with each couple, I write up a completely customized and personalized wedding "script" just for them. And they have the whole script in their hands in advance of their wedding, so they can make any changes they wish. Yours can and should be a "perfect" wedding ceremony, which says the things you want in a beautiful and meaningful way. -Stephanie

I can legally perform weddings in Pennsylvania & New Jersey!
I was not ordained just to perform weddings. (A marriage performed in Pennsylvania by someone ordained via the internet was declared invalid in 2007.)

I did not receive my ordination online. I am ordained by the United Church of Christ. This Protestant denomination is recognized legally within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a 'regularly established church.' Within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I am authorized to "solemnize marriages between persons that produce a marriage license issued under this part: a minister, priest or rabbi of any regularly established church or congregation." (Paraphrase of PA Marriage Law 1503 (A) (6). I am able to perform weddings in New Jersey. I have also performed weddings in Maryland, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

I can perform weddings anywhere in the US, as long as I follow local and state laws. Certain cities, like New York City, require an Officiant to register with City Hall in order to perform a ceremony.

Fees & Services

SERVICES ALWAYS INCLUDE:

A peaceful, calm, warm, professional and heartfelt presence to support you on ‘your special day’
A face to face meeting prior to your wedding, to get to know one another, explore your thoughts for your ceremony
Sggestions and resources for planning a personalized ceremony: sample ceremonies, a selection of readings, prayers, vows, customs and rituals are all included in information that I share with couples who secure my services
Unlimited email and phone contact for support in the creation of ceremony
Support and guidance in developing your own vows, if you like
A copy of the ceremony we have created
Assistance in developing a schedule for the day of your wedding, if you wish
A 'final talk through' telephone conversation 1- 3 weeks before your wedding, to review ceremony and details
Arrival at least 45 minutes before the ceremony
Organizing the Bridal Party on the wedding day (if necessary)
Coordinating with ceremony site and other vendors to make sure everything is perfect
Travel and mileage to ceremony site, if under 50 miles from my home
Filing of marriage license, as required of me by law

SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR ADDITIONAL FEE(S):

Counseling to support you both in preparing for marriage
An additional 'face to face' meeting 1 - 3 weeks before your wedding
Attendance at and/or facilitation of rehearsal ($100)
Performing your wedding on a holiday/ holiday weekend ($50)
Travel to your site, if over 50 miles from my home ($75)

OTHER CEREMONIES PERFORMED INCLUDE:

Same Sex Weddings/ Commitment Ceremonies/ Civil Unions
Baptism/ Baby Naming/ Baby Blessing
Memorial Services/ Funeral Service
Renewal of Vows
House Blessings

FEES & PAYMENT:

I offer couples the opportunity to personalize every aspect of their ceremony. I do not offer a standard ceremony for one price and a personalized ceremony for a higher price. I offer a professional service. I do not schedule two ceremonies on the same day. At least, one face to face meeting is available for all couples at no cost. The length of your ceremony does not increase or decrease my fee.

To perform a ceremony, my fees range from $250 to $400. Additional fees may be added depending upon the number of face to face meetings, counseling (if desired), travel distance, and rehearsal commitment, etc. We can discuss my professional fee on the phone, in person or via email.

I require a $100 non-refundable deposit. This deposit guarantees that your wedding date is on my calendar. I do not schedule another ceremony for your day. This deposit is expected as soon as you decide to work with me. I confirm receipt of your deposit and confirm how much more is owed. The remaining fee due is due at least one week before the day of your ceremony.

I accept checks, cash and will also accept PayPal payments. Please contact me for my PayPal account information. If you check bounces, you are responsible for paying any fees that I may incur. Payment can be sent to me at P O Box 411, Riegelsville PA 18077.

For your peace of mind & comfort, when choosing someone to perform your wedding, you want...

-Someone who respects your thoughts, beliefs and lifestyle

-A wedding minister who honors your wishes and desires

-Someone who believes that a wedding is a joyous occassion

-A wedding Officiant who is caring, experienced and creative

-A wedding minister who is organized, responsible and dependable

-A professional who is legally able to perform your ceremony and sign your wedding license. (Those who have been ordained online are not legally recognized in Pennsylvania.)

-A professional who works with the other vendors your have hired to ensure that your ceremony is all that you have hoped it could be

-A minister who believes your ceremony should be about your beliefs and feelings

-Someone who is open to new ideas, easy-going, and flexible

-An Officiant who officiates your ceremony with joy, confidence and grace

-A professional who handles last minute changes with ease

-A minister who works with your photographer to get the photos you want during the ceremony

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