Process

Congratulations on your engagement!

To craft a memorable ceremony that reflects your story and shared values, I have a three-step process.

1) Our initial emails and/or phone calls begin the conversation.

2) An in-person meeting deepens what we have already begun. When I meet with couples, I enjoy getting to know the couple and them getting to know me, and then exploring the couples' hopes for the ceremony. In particular, we discuss the following:

• The overall feel of the service
• Length of ceremony
• The nature of the vows
• The exchange of rings
• Whether or not there will be any symbolic acts during the ceremony
• Possible readings or other elements to include
• To what extent you want the ceremony to be spiritual
• The giving away of the bride
• The ceremony outline
• How you want to be presented
• The license
• Reception details

At the end of our in-person meeting, couples walk away with a flow, or agenda, for their ceremony about which they are proud and excited. 

3) After the in-person meeting, I begin writing, and we remain in touch via email or phone until the day of the ceremony.

In the past some couples have asked to read my manuscript before the wedding. I am willing and happy to afford this, but because I greatly value the emotion that is elicited when a couple experiences my words for the first time during the ceremony, I often suggest that the couple choose a trusted member of the wedding party to review the manuscript in their stead. This has worked well, and every time the couple has communicated that they were glad that they didn’t read it ahead of time.

I hope to hear from you.

And again, congrats!