OK, let's pretend that the real basics are over with....meaning that you've proposed or accepted a proposal and now have to figure out what to do. When to marry? Where? What kind of wedding? Well, the first thing I have to tell you is that I'm not a wedding planner, but I
can tell you the basics behind the part of the process that involves an officiant.
Below are the steps we would go through.
First, besides all the planning that you will do for your wedding... it can't take place until you obtain amarriage license.
You can get your license at the county clerk's or I can issue a confidential marriage license for the County of Los Angeles for you, either at my office in Burbank or on the day of the wedding (this service is only good for weddings conducted within Los Angeles County).
If you request information on my information request form, I'll respond with as many details I can give you on my price and availability for the services you need. Please make sure you include the date, time and location of your wedding... if known, along with any other information that might be needed to provide you a quote. If you like, request a phone call from me and we'll talk. I can then discuss in depth what your needs are. Then, should you choose me to conduct the ceremony and I am available on the date you have planned, we'll discuss all the other details involved with booking my services and what happens afterwards.
After you have obtained my services then, after detailed consultation with you, I would provide a complete ceremony for your consideration. You will then be free to change, alter or otherwise shape the ceremony to your desires (or accept it as is). And, of course, I am available for consultation at any time regarding all aspects of your ceremony and to do rewrites.
Although I am rarely needed at rehearsals, you can book my services for one if you wish. Rehearsals are additional, but I always advise couples to save their money. Officiants are rarely needed at the rehearsal and you could use the extra money on your honeymoon!
Then, on the day of the wedding I'll arrive at the designated location well in advance of the ceremony and accept the marriage license and make certain there will be the necessary witnesses to sign the license. I also must see a picture ID on both the bride and groom. On occasions where the bride and groom cannot make it to the county to get their license, with prior notice I can issue a marriage license on the spot.
After completion of the ceremony and the exchange of vows, I'll sign the marriage license and then supervise the signing by your witnesses. At this time you may also request a certified copy of your marriage certificate. This fee of $13.00 is charged by the county and is payable in a separate check or money order to the registrar-recorder's office of the county that issued your license (this fee can vary with some counties). Then I forward your fee, and the certified copy request form, along with your completed marriage license to the county. A certified copy (or copies) will be necessary if the bride will be changing her name afterwards. The certified copy, or copies, can take from 6 to 8 weeks to be sent out (this time varies from county to county) and it will be mailed directly to the couple after the license has been finished being recorded.After the ceremony, I am legally responsible for making sure all the paperwork is submitted on time to the County Clerk's office.
Go to your reception, go on a honeymoon and have a great married life!
