Frequently Asked Questions
If I do not address any question here that you have, please feel free to go to the ‘home’ page and contact me using the contact form there.
Fee & Payment Questions:
How much do your services cost total?
Marry-Makers is truly committed to serving all budget levels. Prices range from $195-595. It’s difficult to quote pricing without knowing all of your interests from whether you want to write part of the ceremony, and/or meet in person ahead of time. We believe we can accommodate your budget AND your desires for the perfect ceremony. It is also important to make sure that we compensate your wedding officiant for their expertise, experience, time, energy, creativity, and professionalism.
Our goal is to give you everything you want without paying for what you don’t! By completing the contact form under the ‘contact’ tab, we’ve asked the right questions to help you determine your budget with a price within 24 hours!
Do you require a deposit?
In short, yes. Our deposits are nonrefundable reservation fees. This fee is $150. You may also choose to pay in full at booking. We include a $10 discount for payment made in full at time of booking. All monies paid are nonrefundable. Any balance due is payable in full 30 days prior to your wedding date. Any weddings booked without a 30-day notice or our basic ceremony, known as the Gold Wedding Ceremony, are payable in full at time of booking and are also nonrefundable.
What are your travel or other fees?
Our home base is Livingston and Washtenaw Counties. There are no travel charges incurred within 50 miles of the 48169 zip code. Beyond that, we reserve the right to charge a travel fee.
You will incur additional charges if your ceremony does not start on time. We allow a 15-minute grace period, after which we do charge in 15-minute increments of time that is delayed ($25 for each 15 minutes). While this rarely happens, be sure your site coordinator, and anyone else in charge is aware of this.
Do you offer discounts for mid-week ceremonies or charge extra for holidays?
Possibly. We reserve the right to charge extra in the event you have a midnight ceremony outside in the winter a or sunrise ceremony in the summer or possibly give you a discount for a quick ceremony during the week. Then again, we may not. We just reserve the right to.
Do you take all forms of payment?
Yes. We accept major credit cards through PayPal. You may also pay by check, but the date is not guaranteed until check has cleared the bank. Cash is also accepted.
Is it customary to tip the officiant?
Never expected, always appreciated. There is a tremendous amount of work that goes on behind the scenes.
How do I change my last name?
Sign your marriage license with the name you wish to change to. It will save you money and time. Didn't sign your married name? You can legally change your name online. Visit MarriageLicenseNow.com
Ceremony Questions:
Will you perform ceremonies for same sex couples, vow renewals, secretly already married couples (guests don’t know)?
All of the above! Joyfully!
What if I want a religious ceremony?
I am a non-denominational minister, but I am happy to recite almost anything of your choosing.
We are not religious. Will you still marry us?
You do not have to have any religious reference. The choice is yours. Marriage is a sacred and legal bond, it does not have to be a religious bond.
How much advance notice do you have to have?
None if we are available! But payment and a signed contract must be received first.
How long is the ceremony?
Anywhere from 5 minutes to 25 minutes. Anything longer than that, is usually too long for your guests AND you! You’ve got celebrating to do. Once your ceremony is prepared, we can give you a rough idea how long your ceremony will take.
What does the officiant wear?
What would you like me to wear? I do not wear a robe. Outside of that, I normally wear appropriate, subdued wedding attire. But I am happy to work with you if you have something in mind.
Do I need witnesses?
The State of Michigan requires two witnesses. If you are having no guests and you only have one or even no witnesses, we are happy to provide witnesses at a nominal charge.
Can we write our own vows?
Of course! Vows are deeply personal. We are happy to have you write whatever parts of the ceremony you choose. There is no price break for writing your own vows.
What happens to the marriage license after the ceremony?
The State of Michigan gives you 33 days to get married once you apply for your marriage license. You bring it with you to the ceremony along with picture IDs. Once the ceremony is over and it is witnessed and signed by the marriage officiant, we mail it to your county courthouse within 24 hours of the wedding. In some counties in Michigan, you must request (and pay for) a certified copy of the license. It is not automatically issued to you.
Do I need to invite my officiant to the reception?
You are under no obligation to do so nor is it expected.
What are your qualifications to perform weddings?
I am a licensed wedding officiant/minister, licensed to perform weddings in the State of Michigan and beyond (depending on state/country regulations) through the Universal Life Church; an interfaith and nondenominational ministry. Because ULC embraces diversity, we perform a wide variety of ceremonies. We will never require any words to a ceremony that conflict with your stated values. We are required, however, to perform three elements to make your marriage legal; the declaration of intent, the pronouncement, and signing the marriage certificate. I believe myself to be a well-spoken, creative professional who loves her work!
Is your last name real?
My birth certificate says it is! ☺
Fee & Payment Questions:
How much do your services cost total?
Marry-Makers is truly committed to serving all budget levels. Prices range from $195-595. It’s difficult to quote pricing without knowing all of your interests from whether you want to write part of the ceremony, and/or meet in person ahead of time. We believe we can accommodate your budget AND your desires for the perfect ceremony. It is also important to make sure that we compensate your wedding officiant for their expertise, experience, time, energy, creativity, and professionalism.
Our goal is to give you everything you want without paying for what you don’t! By completing the contact form under the ‘contact’ tab, we’ve asked the right questions to help you determine your budget with a price within 24 hours!
Do you require a deposit?
In short, yes. Our deposits are nonrefundable reservation fees. This fee is $150. You may also choose to pay in full at booking. We include a $10 discount for payment made in full at time of booking. All monies paid are nonrefundable. Any balance due is payable in full 30 days prior to your wedding date. Any weddings booked without a 30-day notice or our basic ceremony, known as the Gold Wedding Ceremony, are payable in full at time of booking and are also nonrefundable.
What are your travel or other fees?
Our home base is Livingston and Washtenaw Counties. There are no travel charges incurred within 50 miles of the 48169 zip code. Beyond that, we reserve the right to charge a travel fee.
You will incur additional charges if your ceremony does not start on time. We allow a 15-minute grace period, after which we do charge in 15-minute increments of time that is delayed ($25 for each 15 minutes). While this rarely happens, be sure your site coordinator, and anyone else in charge is aware of this.
Do you offer discounts for mid-week ceremonies or charge extra for holidays?
Possibly. We reserve the right to charge extra in the event you have a midnight ceremony outside in the winter a or sunrise ceremony in the summer or possibly give you a discount for a quick ceremony during the week. Then again, we may not. We just reserve the right to.
Do you take all forms of payment?
Yes. We accept major credit cards through PayPal. You may also pay by check, but the date is not guaranteed until check has cleared the bank. Cash is also accepted.
Is it customary to tip the officiant?
Never expected, always appreciated. There is a tremendous amount of work that goes on behind the scenes.
How do I change my last name?
Sign your marriage license with the name you wish to change to. It will save you money and time. Didn't sign your married name? You can legally change your name online. Visit MarriageLicenseNow.com
Ceremony Questions:
Will you perform ceremonies for same sex couples, vow renewals, secretly already married couples (guests don’t know)?
All of the above! Joyfully!
What if I want a religious ceremony?
I am a non-denominational minister, but I am happy to recite almost anything of your choosing.
We are not religious. Will you still marry us?
You do not have to have any religious reference. The choice is yours. Marriage is a sacred and legal bond, it does not have to be a religious bond.
How much advance notice do you have to have?
None if we are available! But payment and a signed contract must be received first.
How long is the ceremony?
Anywhere from 5 minutes to 25 minutes. Anything longer than that, is usually too long for your guests AND you! You’ve got celebrating to do. Once your ceremony is prepared, we can give you a rough idea how long your ceremony will take.
What does the officiant wear?
What would you like me to wear? I do not wear a robe. Outside of that, I normally wear appropriate, subdued wedding attire. But I am happy to work with you if you have something in mind.
Do I need witnesses?
The State of Michigan requires two witnesses. If you are having no guests and you only have one or even no witnesses, we are happy to provide witnesses at a nominal charge.
Can we write our own vows?
Of course! Vows are deeply personal. We are happy to have you write whatever parts of the ceremony you choose. There is no price break for writing your own vows.
What happens to the marriage license after the ceremony?
The State of Michigan gives you 33 days to get married once you apply for your marriage license. You bring it with you to the ceremony along with picture IDs. Once the ceremony is over and it is witnessed and signed by the marriage officiant, we mail it to your county courthouse within 24 hours of the wedding. In some counties in Michigan, you must request (and pay for) a certified copy of the license. It is not automatically issued to you.
Do I need to invite my officiant to the reception?
You are under no obligation to do so nor is it expected.
What are your qualifications to perform weddings?
I am a licensed wedding officiant/minister, licensed to perform weddings in the State of Michigan and beyond (depending on state/country regulations) through the Universal Life Church; an interfaith and nondenominational ministry. Because ULC embraces diversity, we perform a wide variety of ceremonies. We will never require any words to a ceremony that conflict with your stated values. We are required, however, to perform three elements to make your marriage legal; the declaration of intent, the pronouncement, and signing the marriage certificate. I believe myself to be a well-spoken, creative professional who loves her work!
Is your last name real?
My birth certificate says it is! ☺
