What are the steps involved in working with Brian as a celebrant?

 

The first step is to arrange a meeting with Brian.  This is a free initial consultation where you will discuss your basic needs and the type of ceremony you envision (for example casual vs. formal; religious vs. secular; inter-faith vs. Christian). At the end of this first meeting you may sign the contract and pay the deposit to reserve your date.

 

No dates are reserved until a signed contract and deposit are received.

 

If the ceremony is to be a wedding ceremony, following the first meeting, Brian will begin working on the ceremony using the couples questionnaire to assist in personalizing the ceremony. Subsequent meetings may follow depending upon the level of complexity and personalization involved in the ceremony. Sometimes couples like to take advantage of Brian's offer of pre-marital counseling which is included in the ceremony fee.

 

Much correspondence can take place via e-mail.

 

You will need to file for your marriage license.  This is something the bride and groom will need to do together.

 

At some point, it is good to meet with Brian at the wedding site, if this is possible.  If a wedding planner is involved, the site visit should include a meeting with the wedding planner to review basic logistics before the actual rehearsal. These logistics will be reflected in the written ceremony so everyone will know what to expect.

 

Once you have collaborated and approved the final draft of the ceremony, all that is left is the rehearsal and the actual ceremony.

 

Next, Brian will be there to run the wedding rehearsal.  This can be done in cooperation with a wedding planner if one is involved. If it is a complex ceremony and there is no wedding planner involved, Brian will bring his wife for assistance during the ceremony for things like cuing flower girls, bridesmaids, etc.

 

Next comes the day of the wedding.  Generally he arrives at the wedding site at least an hour before the ceremony to take care of any logistical issues that may arise. 

 

Finally, he performs your wedding ceremony.  And if you would like him to say words of blessing at your reception, he is available to help with that as well.

 

Payment of the balance of Brian's fee is due either at the rehearsal or after the wedding ceremony (frequently the best man or the wedding planner take care of this detail so the bride and groom won't need to be distracted.)

 

Immediately after the ceremony, Brian signs the marriage license and mails it to the court's clerk in the county issuing the license.  Brian will also ask the bride, groom, and witnesses to sign the ceremonial wedding certificate after the ceremony.

 

Along with the ceremonial certificates, Brian will give you a ceremonial copy of the text of your ceremony.