Since I began officiating, I have believed in keeping my prices reasonable. On average, professional wedding officiants (actual officiants – not "Craigslist Clergy" - and experienced persons with 250+ weddings officiated) charge an average of $325 for a non custom ceremony and about $400 - $700 for one that is custom written.
My pricing is based on whether you would like a beautiful, pre-written ceremony or if you would prefer a ceremony that has been custom written just for you. My fees, amongst other professional wedding officiants in Monterey, are right in the middle (not the absolute lowest but far from being the highest). Based on my latest 160 reviews, I scored an average of 5 out of 5 stars on the "value scale." If you feel I may be the right fit for you, we can talk/email about your wedding and I can provide you with a reasonable quote. With Monterey Bay Wedding officiants, you are not only getting an officiant, you are getting a planner who loves weddings and renewals.
If you don't have a DJ and feel that you need a microphone for the ceremony, I can provide a (1) professional Proslogan corded microphone (with windscreen), a solid base "wedding white" microphone stand and portable 50 watt speaker for an additional fee ($50).
Note: For the new, videoconference weddings being allowed in California (after you get a wedding license via videoconference with one of the participating county clerks in California), my fees for a videoconference / virtual wedding will be lower since there is no travel time. The fees will be: $75 (Simple, one minute ceremony to sign the license); $175 (Elopement Package), $250 (Love and Marriage Package) and $325 (Custom written ceremony).
I found this great article about how to host a memorable, virtual wedding ceremony: https://www.brides.com/how-to-throw-a-virtual-wedding-4844043
___________________________
Simple, one-minute ceremony to sign the license ($100)
It is somewhat rare, but I have had some couples (mostly military) who just need to legalize their wedding by vowing to be spouses and having their license signed (for example, in the military so that one spouse can travel with the one being sent to a new location). For a quick, one-minute ceremony and signing of the license, we would meet in Monterey at a local hotel (in the times of COVID, if this is not possible, please go to this page). In most cases, I understand the couple prefers to take in the license directly (I will take a photo for my records). Only available for the couple and one witness to be present.
Elopement Package Includes: ($250)
• Available for weddings with just the bride and groom and up to 2 witnesses
• Email correspondence
• Beautiful, pre-written marriage ceremony (approximately 10 minutes)
• Signing (and having witnesses sign) and mailing in the wedding license you bring to the ceremony (see FAQ)
• Available Sunday - Thursday only (Fri and Sat as well during the months of November - February)
"Love and Marriage" Ceremony Package Includes: ($295)
• Unlimited email and phone consultation
• Design overall layout and flow of service
• Ceremony Day Reminders (list of items to bring to rehearsal/wedding)
• Assistance with site selection (if needed)
• Beautiful ceremony focused on love and marriage with your preferences noted including: Vow type, readings, personal statements, religious beliefs (if any), rituals*, how you would like to be announced and more. This type of ceremony does not include your personal love story, but is a wonderful ceremony incorporating your personal preferences.
• Signing (and having witnesses sign) and mailing in the wedding license you bring to the ceremony (see FAQ)
• Answering questions about our local area for your destination wedding
• Note: The standard package is not available on Saturday's from June - September
• This ceremony package is also available for renewal of vow ceremonies
• *Small additional fee for ritual preparation
Custom Package Includes: ($395) Most Popular Package
• Personal planning session (face-to-face; approximately 1 hour)
• Assistance with site selection (if needed)
• Unlimited email and phone consultation
• Design overall layout and flow of service
• Ceremony Day Reminders (list of items to bring to rehearsal/wedding)
• Customizing your ceremony options: vows, unity symbols/ rituals, readings, etc.
• Our wedding questionnaire that will assist us in writing your customized ceremony.
• Including your words & stories (your personal love story)
• Wedding ceremony is custom written to incorporate all of your preferences
• Beautiful, marriage / renewal ceremony
• We will work closely with all other wedding professionals (DJ, venue coordinator, photographer, videographer) to ensure your ceremony flows properly.
• Signing (and having witnesses sign) and mailing in the wedding license you bring to the ceremony (see FAQ)
• Popular addition: A second questionnaire filled out by a close friend/family members that knows you both best. Their insights are added into the ceremony (adds $50)
• This ceremony package is also available for renewal of vow ceremonies
Custom Plus Package Includes: ($475)
• Two personal planning sessions (face-to-face)
• Assistance with site selection (if needed)
• Unlimited email and phone consultation
• Design overall layout and flow of service
• Ceremony Day Reminders
• Customizing of ceremony options: vows, unity symbols, readings, etc.
• Our wedding questionnaire that will assist us in writing your customized ceremony.
• Including your words & stories (your personal love story)
• Wedding ceremony is custom written to incorporate all of your preferences
• Beautiful, marriage / renewal ceremony
• We will work closely with all other wedding professionals (DJ, venue coordinator, photographer, videographer) to ensure your ceremony flows properly.
• A copy of the final ceremony presented to you on parchment paper at the conclusion of the wedding
• Signing (and having witnesses sign) and mailing in the wedding license you bring to the ceremony (see FAQ)
• Popular addition: A second questionnaire filled out by a close friend/family members that knows you both best. Their insights are added into the ceremony (adds $50)
You will receive a copy of your wedding ceremony approximately 7 - 10 days prior to the wedding so that you can review it (or sooner by request).
Wedding Rehearsals:
Rehearsals are strongly recommended for any ceremonies that include additional elements (e.g. sand ceremony, readings, etc..) or a bridal party (to practice the recessional and processional). Over the years, I have found that it is a great idea to have a rehearsal because you can make final decisions (do we really want to say personal statements to each other? Do we want your sister to do the reading after all?) and make everyone feel comfortable with when and where they are walking, where they are standing and what will take place.
Wedding Rehearsal (you have your own coordinator/planner): $100
Wedding Rehearsal (I am running the entire rehearsal from start to finish including setting up the processional): $150
Feel free to ask me for my opinion. Sometimes people request a rehearsal and it is not necessary (I will let you know).
Additional Information: There is no charge for mileage unless the wedding is taking place more than 15 miles outside of Monterey (there would be just a minimal mileage rate and I travel as far north as Santa Cruz and as far south as Big Sur). I can do anything from just going through the ceremony to running the entire rehearsal from start to finish.
Keep in mind that the ceremony is a very important part of your wedding day. After all, it is during those moments that you profess your love for your partner and officially join your lives together. In the grand scheme of things, the officiants fees are one of the smallest in a wedding budget (equivalent to one tray of hot passed hors d'oeuvres for 50 ppl at most venues), but a quality officiant can make all the difference in having the wedding of your dreams. Please read the "About" section to find out more about what a good officiant can do to make your wedding take place “drama free.” Unfortunately, I have heard stories of officiants not showing up – or showing up late – or showing up and looking like they just got out of bed. Saving a few dollars isn’t worth the risk or ruining your wedding memories. For those considering having a family member officiate for the first time, other than the legal complications, please check out our link on Family Officiants.
My pricing is based on whether you would like a beautiful, pre-written ceremony or if you would prefer a ceremony that has been custom written just for you. My fees, amongst other professional wedding officiants in Monterey, are right in the middle (not the absolute lowest but far from being the highest). Based on my latest 160 reviews, I scored an average of 5 out of 5 stars on the "value scale." If you feel I may be the right fit for you, we can talk/email about your wedding and I can provide you with a reasonable quote. With Monterey Bay Wedding officiants, you are not only getting an officiant, you are getting a planner who loves weddings and renewals.
If you don't have a DJ and feel that you need a microphone for the ceremony, I can provide a (1) professional Proslogan corded microphone (with windscreen), a solid base "wedding white" microphone stand and portable 50 watt speaker for an additional fee ($50).
Note: For the new, videoconference weddings being allowed in California (after you get a wedding license via videoconference with one of the participating county clerks in California), my fees for a videoconference / virtual wedding will be lower since there is no travel time. The fees will be: $75 (Simple, one minute ceremony to sign the license); $175 (Elopement Package), $250 (Love and Marriage Package) and $325 (Custom written ceremony).
I found this great article about how to host a memorable, virtual wedding ceremony: https://www.brides.com/how-to-throw-a-virtual-wedding-4844043
___________________________
Simple, one-minute ceremony to sign the license ($100)
It is somewhat rare, but I have had some couples (mostly military) who just need to legalize their wedding by vowing to be spouses and having their license signed (for example, in the military so that one spouse can travel with the one being sent to a new location). For a quick, one-minute ceremony and signing of the license, we would meet in Monterey at a local hotel (in the times of COVID, if this is not possible, please go to this page). In most cases, I understand the couple prefers to take in the license directly (I will take a photo for my records). Only available for the couple and one witness to be present.
Elopement Package Includes: ($250)
• Available for weddings with just the bride and groom and up to 2 witnesses
• Email correspondence
• Beautiful, pre-written marriage ceremony (approximately 10 minutes)
• Signing (and having witnesses sign) and mailing in the wedding license you bring to the ceremony (see FAQ)
• Available Sunday - Thursday only (Fri and Sat as well during the months of November - February)
"Love and Marriage" Ceremony Package Includes: ($295)
• Unlimited email and phone consultation
• Design overall layout and flow of service
• Ceremony Day Reminders (list of items to bring to rehearsal/wedding)
• Assistance with site selection (if needed)
• Beautiful ceremony focused on love and marriage with your preferences noted including: Vow type, readings, personal statements, religious beliefs (if any), rituals*, how you would like to be announced and more. This type of ceremony does not include your personal love story, but is a wonderful ceremony incorporating your personal preferences.
• Signing (and having witnesses sign) and mailing in the wedding license you bring to the ceremony (see FAQ)
• Answering questions about our local area for your destination wedding
• Note: The standard package is not available on Saturday's from June - September
• This ceremony package is also available for renewal of vow ceremonies
• *Small additional fee for ritual preparation
Custom Package Includes: ($395) Most Popular Package
• Personal planning session (face-to-face; approximately 1 hour)
• Assistance with site selection (if needed)
• Unlimited email and phone consultation
• Design overall layout and flow of service
• Ceremony Day Reminders (list of items to bring to rehearsal/wedding)
• Customizing your ceremony options: vows, unity symbols/ rituals, readings, etc.
• Our wedding questionnaire that will assist us in writing your customized ceremony.
• Including your words & stories (your personal love story)
• Wedding ceremony is custom written to incorporate all of your preferences
• Beautiful, marriage / renewal ceremony
• We will work closely with all other wedding professionals (DJ, venue coordinator, photographer, videographer) to ensure your ceremony flows properly.
• Signing (and having witnesses sign) and mailing in the wedding license you bring to the ceremony (see FAQ)
• Popular addition: A second questionnaire filled out by a close friend/family members that knows you both best. Their insights are added into the ceremony (adds $50)
• This ceremony package is also available for renewal of vow ceremonies
Custom Plus Package Includes: ($475)
• Two personal planning sessions (face-to-face)
• Assistance with site selection (if needed)
• Unlimited email and phone consultation
• Design overall layout and flow of service
• Ceremony Day Reminders
• Customizing of ceremony options: vows, unity symbols, readings, etc.
• Our wedding questionnaire that will assist us in writing your customized ceremony.
• Including your words & stories (your personal love story)
• Wedding ceremony is custom written to incorporate all of your preferences
• Beautiful, marriage / renewal ceremony
• We will work closely with all other wedding professionals (DJ, venue coordinator, photographer, videographer) to ensure your ceremony flows properly.
• A copy of the final ceremony presented to you on parchment paper at the conclusion of the wedding
• Signing (and having witnesses sign) and mailing in the wedding license you bring to the ceremony (see FAQ)
• Popular addition: A second questionnaire filled out by a close friend/family members that knows you both best. Their insights are added into the ceremony (adds $50)
You will receive a copy of your wedding ceremony approximately 7 - 10 days prior to the wedding so that you can review it (or sooner by request).
Wedding Rehearsals:
Rehearsals are strongly recommended for any ceremonies that include additional elements (e.g. sand ceremony, readings, etc..) or a bridal party (to practice the recessional and processional). Over the years, I have found that it is a great idea to have a rehearsal because you can make final decisions (do we really want to say personal statements to each other? Do we want your sister to do the reading after all?) and make everyone feel comfortable with when and where they are walking, where they are standing and what will take place.
Wedding Rehearsal (you have your own coordinator/planner): $100
Wedding Rehearsal (I am running the entire rehearsal from start to finish including setting up the processional): $150
Feel free to ask me for my opinion. Sometimes people request a rehearsal and it is not necessary (I will let you know).
Additional Information: There is no charge for mileage unless the wedding is taking place more than 15 miles outside of Monterey (there would be just a minimal mileage rate and I travel as far north as Santa Cruz and as far south as Big Sur). I can do anything from just going through the ceremony to running the entire rehearsal from start to finish.
Keep in mind that the ceremony is a very important part of your wedding day. After all, it is during those moments that you profess your love for your partner and officially join your lives together. In the grand scheme of things, the officiants fees are one of the smallest in a wedding budget (equivalent to one tray of hot passed hors d'oeuvres for 50 ppl at most venues), but a quality officiant can make all the difference in having the wedding of your dreams. Please read the "About" section to find out more about what a good officiant can do to make your wedding take place “drama free.” Unfortunately, I have heard stories of officiants not showing up – or showing up late – or showing up and looking like they just got out of bed. Saving a few dollars isn’t worth the risk or ruining your wedding memories. For those considering having a family member officiate for the first time, other than the legal complications, please check out our link on Family Officiants.