Question 1

Can you personalize a custom ceremony for us?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! I love personalizing wedding ceremonies with my couples. It helps to make your wedding unique and tells your story perfectly. I enjoy incorporating unique and personal touches, especially with unity rituals, into ceremonies. In addition to the popular unity candle and sand ceremonies, there are many other ways a couple can express their individuality with a unity ritual. For example, if the couple are fans of the film The Big Lebowski, we might incorporate movie line references and include a unity ritual where the couple mixes ingredients into a White Russian cocktail. There is no limit to the things we can do!

Question 2

Do you perform simple elopements?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. I have a simple elopement package that includes a very brief ceremony text (varying lengths available) modified with your wedding details. It’s an economical way to tie the knot if you’re interested in keeping things simple. Make sure you are aware of the minimum legal requirements by checking with the appropriate state agency.

Question 3

What kind of minister are you?

Accepted Answer

I am a non-denominational interfaith minister, ordained both through Universal Life Church and through Soul Community Church (Pennsylvania). I can perform any legal marriage ceremony authorized by the state, and I am registered to solemnize marriages in NJ, PA, DE, and MD. I am happy to register as an officiant in other locations, so long as I have sufficient notice to do so!

Question 4

How many wedding ceremonies have you performed?

Accepted Answer

In summer 2025 I performed my 100th ceremony. As a photographer I captured more than four hundred weddings before I retired as a photographer. In short, I have provided services for more than five hundred weddings and have performed those wedding services at many, many venues in the region.

Question 5

Do you perform vow renewals?

Accepted Answer

I do perform vow renewals, which is merely a ceremony where an already married couple renews or re-affirms their wedding vows. This can be new text, or a repetition of their original vows. To some couples, a vow renewal might be an opportunity to have the wedding they dreamed of, but for some reason could not have earlier. To others it may signify the desire to mark a significant anniversary milestone, or to perhaps strengthen their commitment following a difficult time.

Question 6

Do you attend the rehearsal?

Accepted Answer

It is not normally necessary for me to rehearse, as I have been involved with hundreds of weddings and can say with a high degree of confidence that I will be able to stand there and do my part well on your wedding day. Most often, rehearsals are for planning when and how wedding party members and parents process, and what they might be asked to do during the ceremony.

Question 7

Why should I pay a professional officiant when a friend can do it for free?

Accepted Answer

This is your wedding. You have probably spent thousands of dollars to make it as perfect as it can be, and you put the tone of the entire day at risk if you don’t have a good, experienced, professional officiant. There is only one chance to deliver it in a way that is elegant, engaging, beautiful, sincere, easily understood, and confident. One chance. Trust it to a professional. If you want to involve a cherished friend or family member in the ceremony, there are many ways to accomplish this without putting your entire wedding ceremony at risk. Anyone can buy a baseball bat. That doesn’t instantaneously turn them into Bryce Harper.

Question 8

Can you help us with our marriage license?

Accepted Answer

The license to get married is something that the couple has to acquire. My fee includes delivery of the marriage license to the appropriate agency immediately following the wedding. If you want to turn it in yourselves, you are welcome to do so, but I am more than happy to do it for you. Each township’s web site usually has helpful FAQs about the license and the post-wedding marriage certificate. The best way to begin is to perform a search on the township you’re getting married in, and “marriage license.”

Question 9

Do you perform same-sex weddings?

Accepted Answer

Happily! We perform weddings for any loving, consenting couple who wish to tie the knot. We believe in equal kindness, respect, and treatment for all.

Question 10

What do you usually wear to weddings?

Accepted Answer

I’ll chat with you about that in more detail, but the short answer is your choice of either a suit or a black cassock (robe). With the cassock (or the suit, for that matter) I can optionally wear an ivory or rainbow stole (like a long scarf). I also have a black standard tuxedo if that is preferred. I am happy to dress in any way that is appropriate for your wedding. If any wedding is so specifically-themed that an entire costume rental or purchase is required, that exact cost would have to be reimbursed.

Question 11

Do you stay for the reception? Do I need to provide you with a vendor meal?

Accepted Answer

Unless requested specifically, I do not typically stay beyond the cocktail hour following the performance of a wedding. Once the wedding ceremony is completed, I will get the marriage license filled out, “grip and grin” a little with your guests while you’re doing the same or getting photos done, and I will check out with you before I depart. Some couples have asked me to stay and offer a blessing before dinner, which I am also happy to do. Even in that case, you do not have to provide me with a vendor meal, a seat at any table, or anything like that.

Question 12

Do you need/have amplification?

Accepted Answer

I have access to a portable amplification system. This service can be added to your wedding ministry package at an additional cost. This is rarely a requirement, though. I suggest first you look into your venue having one, then your DJ having one, and if neither of those are true, then consider it. If your space is on the smaller side, there is a very good chance I will not need to be amplified. I sang opera for decades and have a powerful enough voice to be heard in almost any setting. That doesn’t mean I can be heard in every setting, so this is a conversation worth having if you’re concerned about me (or you or your readers) being heard.

Question 13

What is your policy on photography during our ceremony?

Accepted Answer

As a wedding photography studio as well, it can be safely assumed we’re in favor of you having the best possible photographs of your ceremony. We do not restrict your photography team, we simply ask that they do not be so obvious and in our faces that it becomes a disruption. As a seasoned wedding photographer myself I can tell you there is no circumstance in which any professional wedding photographer worth their salt should ever need to be up in the faces of people at the altar. And yes, whenever I am the wedding minister, I always get my 6’7″ body out of the way for the kiss photo!

Question 14

Can you help us with changing names?

Accepted Answer

I cannot make any specific recommendations, as each couple’s name change needs are unique. There are services available to assist couples with this need such as HitchSwitch and MissNowMrs. If one or both of you are changing names, I do recommend you obtain several (at least five) copies of your marriage certificate following the wedding.

Question 15

Can you perform a wedding without a marriage license?

Accepted Answer

Each state's laws vary, so it is advised you research your own state's laws on this matter. I can only provide non-legal advice. From what I have come to understand: In PA, it is not legally permitted for me to perform a wedding ceremony without a marriage license. In NJ, you can have a wedding complete with any and all typical wedding verbiage, including the pronouncement of you as spouses at the conclusion of the ceremony. This will not be a legal wedding in the eyes of the state.

Question 16

How does the Sign & Go process work?

Accepted Answer

A "Sign & Go" is just a license signing. There is no ceremony that takes place, it is merely a legal signature on your marriage license. For more information, please see the FAQs on https://chadwickweddings.com/officiant/faqs_officiant

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