Officiant Inclusive
What types of ceremonies do you perform?
As ordained officiants, we've been granted the power to preside over a great number of cermonies, ministerial services, and any religious rite allowed by law. Our specialties include: marriages, civil ceremonies, commitment ceremonies, vow renewals, and anniversary renewals, and we most often perform them in either a non-denominational (mentions God) or non-religious (no mention of God) context.
We have full authority to perform same-sex marriages, as long as they are legally recognized in the state where the marriage is taking place. We can also perform baby blessings, funeral services, cremation ceremonies, and speaking engagements upon request.
FAQ's
Where were you ordained and where can you officiate?
I received my ordination from AMM, American Marriage Ministries, and can perform marriages and other religious rites anywhere in the United States. I am registered in NYC, as is required to officiate within the 5 Boroughs, and will register per municipality in New York State and Connecticut as required and per the location of your venue. New Jersey does not require minister registration to officiate.
For couple's that wish to get married outside of the US, we recommend that you file for your marriage license stateside from your local government office; taking care of all legalities. Afterward, the couple, officiant, and wedding party can travel to your destination and enjoy the wedding ceremony. Not all governments recognize all ministers, and complications can arise when legally recording a marriage in another country. I don't often perform destination ceremonies, but will consider it upon request and availability.
Please ensure that your officiant is knowlegeable about minister licensing requirements, as it our responsibility to own and manage this burden and present only a beautiful ceremony to our couple-clients.
Can we customize our ceremony?
Yes, of course! Our goal is to ensure that you have exactly that - a fully customized and personal ceremony, reflective of you and your partner's beliefs, values, familial/cultural traditions, and personalities. A standard ceremony lasts 10-15 minutes, but through your vows, and optional ceremony components, like readings and song, we can make your ceremony anything you envision and incorporate details that will tailor-fit it for you and your intended.
What if we'd like to have a religious wedding ceremony?
We can incorporate religious readings and prayers of your choice, and have a curated collection of both we can suggest and pull from if you don't have any prepared or in mind. We are Christians, and do believe that readings and prayers can lay an intimate foundation for your ceremony, in any capacity that you choose. We specialize however, in non-demoninational (mentions God) and non-religious ceremonies (no mention of God), as this niche has become increasingly difficult to find officiants for. We are both sympathetic and empathetic to this group of intendeds, as Devon struggled to find an officiant for her wedding in this category as well.
Where do you perform your ceremonies?
We serve the NY Tri-State area, and generally travel 50 miles in any direction from the heart of NYC, including locations in all 5 Boroughs, Long Island, Rockland, Westchester, Lower to Mid Connecticut, and Northern to Mid New Jersey. Additionally, we've recently expanded our service area to include Central North Carolina, the Triangle, and Piedmont Triad areas. Bookings outside these metro service zones can often be made as long as scheduling and availabililty allows.
There is no limitation to the venues we can officiate in, including churches, restaurants, reception halls, clubs, theaters, parks, private residences, and town halls - should they allow it. Please check with the municipality you plan to obtain your marriage license in for their officiant rules and regulations, as they vary.
Do you attend our rehearsal and is it necessary?
Many couples choose to rehearse, but do so without our attendance, as our scripted agenda is generally sent to the couple for review and any revisions weeks to months in advance of your ceremony. That same script is then used during the entirety of the ceremony so that the flow is 100% what you expect it to be.
Additionally, we make a point of arriving at the wedding site an hour before commencement, so that we can address any concerns you might have, and in some cases, have even had "rehearsals' or run throughs at this time.
If you'd like us to attend your reahearsal, we will do our very best to do so pending availability, the location of your rehearsal, and at an additional cost. Please request services for both the rehearsal and ceremony at time of booking so we can accurately quote your booking, and ensure that we're free for each of the dates you require. Our goal is to make you happy, and with proper planning and clearly communicated expectations, almost all requests can be accommodated.
Is it protocol to tip your minister / officiant?
Gratuity is not quoted into your package pricing, nor required on ceremony day, but should you feel you've received a beautiful ceremony, and wish to express your gratitude, we encourage your generosity.
What do you wear during the ceremony?
We generally attend weddings in a black suit or minsister's robe, but can generally accomodate any requests you require for your special day. We are sometimes asked to dress more formally or informally given the venue or time of day, and are happy to do so in most cases to match your theme, formality, location, and religious, cultural, or familial traditions.
How much do you charge and when is final payment due?
Fees slide based on the services you request, the complexity of your ceremony, whether you require our presence at both your rehearsal and ceremony, and whether you are in or outside of our standard officiant radius. In most cases, exceptions can be made to suit your needs, but may be reflected in your quote for service. Please refer to our service menu for base and package prices, and contact us for a quote should you be prepared with dates and services required.
50% of our fee is due at time of booking, with final payment of the remaining 50% and travel expenses due no later than 30 days prior to the ceremony.
It is our experience that requesting final payment on ceremony day adds anxiety to an event that should be full of peace, happiness, and giddy anticipation, and I've updated my fee schedule to reflect this belief. I recommend you ask the same of your other vendors where possible.
What if we cancel our wedding, or change a major detail, like date, time or location?
All ceremonies booked 4 months or more in advance are granted a 30-day cancellation waiver with no penalty, afterwhich your 50% deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel your wedding after your second 50% and travel expenses have been paid, approximately 45-30 days from ceremony day or less, you will have forefeited your entire fee and no refund will be issued, as I would have already written your script, and submitted it to you for your review.
All ceremonies booked less than 4 months out, will not be granted a 30-day cancellation waiver, and your 50% deposit is non-refundable and will be forfeited should you cancel your wedding. If you cancel your wedding after your second 50% and travel expenses have been paid, approximately 45-30 days from ceremony day or less, you will have forefeited your entire fee and no refund will be issued, as I would have already written your script, and submitted it to you for your review.
I will do my best to accomodate ceremonial changes, like the date, time and ceremony location after booking, but will keep your 50% deposit if we're beyond the 30-day cancellation waiver period, and I am absolutely unable to do so. You will not be charged the second 50% if I can 't accomodate you, and I will refer you to another officiant who can when possible.
How do we book you for our ceremony?
Please contact me via the contact page or at devonmalebranche@officiantinclusive.com, and leave all pertinent info you know to date in your message, including date(s) of your ceremony and rehearsal if applicable, estimated start time, venue location, and the services you're interested in booking. You will receive a reply back within 24 hours, to confirm our availability and answer any preliminary questions you might have.
We will send you an e-questionnaire to assess your needs and understand your expectations within the first 3 days of correspondence, and send you at least 2 proposals, with quotes and contracts in reply. Once you've chosen the package that's right for you, and signed and emailed your contract reply, your 50% deposit can be paid via the Book It button on our contact page.
Are Officiants typically invited to the reception?
While honored at the consideration, we understand the great many factors that restrict a guest list, so we never presume that we will be invited to a reception, nor do we take it personally when an invitation hasn't been extended. So don't worry!
If you feel we've developed a personal rapport through your wedding planning, and would like us in attendance, we'd appreciate the lovely gesture, and will gladly accept should our schedule allow.
How will we communicate with one another?
Please contact us via the contact page or at info@officiantinclusive.com, and leave all pertinent info you know to date in your message, including date(s) of your ceremony and rehearsal if applicable, estimated start time, venue location, and the services you're interested in booking. You will receive a reply back within 24 hours confirming our availability and with answers to any preliminary questions you might have.
We will send you an e-questionnaire to assess your needs and understand your expectations within the first 3 days of correspondence, and send you at least 2 proposals, with quotes and contracts in reply. Once you've chosen the package that's right for you, and signed and emailed your contract reply, your 50% deposit can be paid via Paypal or credit card.