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 200+ weddings officiated) in California charge an average of $400 for a non custom ceremony (without planning) and about $500 - $800 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 200 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. Over the past 13 years, I have officiated at over 150 different outdoor and indoor venues in Monterey County.
Sound: 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).
Wedding License: Only the couple can obtain their wedding license (and in California, one can be obtained from any county clerks office within California). We do have a local notary who serves as a marriage commissioner and can issue licenses in Carmel by appointment (this can be very convenient - especially if you are coming from out of State). These are considered "confidential" wedding licenses (only requirement is that you attest to already living together). The notary can process the license and even pre-order certified copies for you. Just let me know if you have any questions and/or would like to utilize her services.
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Simple, one-minute ceremony to sign the license ($150)
It is somewhat rare, but I have had some couples 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 (quick vow exchange, no ring exchange), we would meet at a local park near our home office (Monterey/Seaside; for other locations the elopement package must be booked). In most cases, I understand the couple prefers to take in the license directly (I will take a photo for my records and have you sign a release form). Otherwise, I will mail it in directly as usual. Only available for the couple and one witness to be present. This is a very quick ceremony - no guests (one witness) and not meant to replace a regular wedding ceremony. Available Monday - Thursday from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM. **Only available for military personnel**
Elopement Package Includes: ($295)
• Available for weddings with just the bride and groom and up to 2 witnesses
• Email correspondence
• Beautiful, pre-written marriage ceremony incorporating love and marriage and a beautiful reading (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 - March). Not available over special event dates such as 2.2.22.
• This package does not include location planning assistance including locations, vendors, restaurants etc...
"Love and Marriage" Ceremony Package Includes: ($350)
• Unlimited email and phone consultation
• Design overall layout and flow of service
• Ceremony Day Reminders (list of items to bring to rehearsal/wedding)
• Suggestions to where the ceremony could be held.
• 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)
• Depending on how you answer your preference questions, the ceremony is about 10 - 12 minutes in length.
• The officiant arrives about 30 minutes prior and checks in with all of your other vendors to ensure we are all working together with the same information.
• Note: The standard package is not available on Saturday's from May-October (some exceptions made but the fee would be $400)
• This ceremony package is also available for renewal of vow ceremonies
"Love and Marriage" Ceremony with Planning Package Includes: ($395)
Same as the above package but also including:
• Wedding location assistance including (1) sending you sample photo galleries from a variety of location that fit your description (2) if the wedding is at a State Park beach or cliff and a permit is needed, assisting with processing the permit and in some cases, using our insurance (saves you a $125 insurance fee).
• Providing our recommended vendor list based on our 12 years of experience (florist, bakeries, videographers, photographers, DJ's and more)
• Send us your list of favorite hotels that are available when you want to stay and we will rank them in our order of preference (we have visited and/or stayed at over 95% of local hotels).
• Recommended restaurant list and personal advice (whether just the two of you or a group)
• Providing insights about our local area for your destination wedding
• Note: The standard package is not available on Saturday's from May-October (some exceptions made but the fee would be $425)
Custom Package Includes: ($495) Most Popular Package
• Personal planning session (face-to-face in person or via Zoom; 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, the proposal and more)
• Wedding ceremony is custom written to incorporate all of your preferences
• The experience of a professional with over 2,000 wonderful weddings officiated (and over 190, 5-star reviews)
• Depending on how you answer the questionnaire, the ceremony is about 20 minutes in length.
• 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: ($550)
• Two personal planning sessions (face-to-face or via Zoom)
• Assistance with site selection (if needed)
• Unlimited email and phone consultation
• Design overall layout and flow of service
• Ceremony Day Reminders
• Customizing 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
• The experience of a professional with over 2,000 wonderful weddings officiated
• 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)
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 200 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. Over the past 13 years, I have officiated at over 150 different outdoor and indoor venues in Monterey County.
Sound: 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).
Wedding License: Only the couple can obtain their wedding license (and in California, one can be obtained from any county clerks office within California). We do have a local notary who serves as a marriage commissioner and can issue licenses in Carmel by appointment (this can be very convenient - especially if you are coming from out of State). These are considered "confidential" wedding licenses (only requirement is that you attest to already living together). The notary can process the license and even pre-order certified copies for you. Just let me know if you have any questions and/or would like to utilize her services.
____________________________________________________________________________
Simple, one-minute ceremony to sign the license ($150)
It is somewhat rare, but I have had some couples 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 (quick vow exchange, no ring exchange), we would meet at a local park near our home office (Monterey/Seaside; for other locations the elopement package must be booked). In most cases, I understand the couple prefers to take in the license directly (I will take a photo for my records and have you sign a release form). Otherwise, I will mail it in directly as usual. Only available for the couple and one witness to be present. This is a very quick ceremony - no guests (one witness) and not meant to replace a regular wedding ceremony. Available Monday - Thursday from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM. **Only available for military personnel**
Elopement Package Includes: ($295)
• Available for weddings with just the bride and groom and up to 2 witnesses
• Email correspondence
• Beautiful, pre-written marriage ceremony incorporating love and marriage and a beautiful reading (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 - March). Not available over special event dates such as 2.2.22.
• This package does not include location planning assistance including locations, vendors, restaurants etc...
"Love and Marriage" Ceremony Package Includes: ($350)
• Unlimited email and phone consultation
• Design overall layout and flow of service
• Ceremony Day Reminders (list of items to bring to rehearsal/wedding)
• Suggestions to where the ceremony could be held.
• 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)
• Depending on how you answer your preference questions, the ceremony is about 10 - 12 minutes in length.
• The officiant arrives about 30 minutes prior and checks in with all of your other vendors to ensure we are all working together with the same information.
• Note: The standard package is not available on Saturday's from May-October (some exceptions made but the fee would be $400)
• This ceremony package is also available for renewal of vow ceremonies
"Love and Marriage" Ceremony with Planning Package Includes: ($395)
Same as the above package but also including:
• Wedding location assistance including (1) sending you sample photo galleries from a variety of location that fit your description (2) if the wedding is at a State Park beach or cliff and a permit is needed, assisting with processing the permit and in some cases, using our insurance (saves you a $125 insurance fee).
• Providing our recommended vendor list based on our 12 years of experience (florist, bakeries, videographers, photographers, DJ's and more)
• Send us your list of favorite hotels that are available when you want to stay and we will rank them in our order of preference (we have visited and/or stayed at over 95% of local hotels).
• Recommended restaurant list and personal advice (whether just the two of you or a group)
• Providing insights about our local area for your destination wedding
• Note: The standard package is not available on Saturday's from May-October (some exceptions made but the fee would be $425)
Custom Package Includes: ($495) Most Popular Package
• Personal planning session (face-to-face in person or via Zoom; 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, the proposal and more)
• Wedding ceremony is custom written to incorporate all of your preferences
• The experience of a professional with over 2,000 wonderful weddings officiated (and over 190, 5-star reviews)
• Depending on how you answer the questionnaire, the ceremony is about 20 minutes in length.
• 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: ($550)
• Two personal planning sessions (face-to-face or via Zoom)
• Assistance with site selection (if needed)
• Unlimited email and phone consultation
• Design overall layout and flow of service
• Ceremony Day Reminders
• Customizing 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
• The experience of a professional with over 2,000 wonderful weddings officiated
• 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)
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.