Frequently Asked Questions
How much advance notice do you need in order to book a wedding?
Because we are a group of wedding officiants, chances are good that you will be able to find one of us having availability--even if you are giving very short notice. If you are seeking a Classic or Premium Custom ceremony, we suggest booking at least six months in advance so that we can get to know you, although we can make it happen with less time than that. Just remember that we cannot hold your date and time without a minimum $100 retainer and a signed contract. Also note that some of our officiants are booked over a year in advance so if you have your heart set on one particular officiant, it's best to book ASAP.
How long is the ceremony?
A Classic or Premium Custom Ceremony can range from 15 minutes to 40 minutes, depending on the number of components added. You can get a lot of creativity and innovation into a 20 to 25 minute ceremony! Anything longer than that would be too lengthy for most folks. You will want to get to the post-ceremony party, after all! Once we write your ceremony, your officiant will give you a good idea of what to expect in terms of time.
An Elopement Ceremony is about 10-12 minutes long. A Basic Ceremony is approximately 15-18 minutes long, depending upon the processional and recessional time.
What does the officiant wear?
It's all about what you want to reflect. For many weddings, we will wear a robe (with or without religious connotations). If you do not wish us to wear a robe, then we will wear appropriate, subdued wedding attire (suit and tie for men, suit or dress for women), or anything else you'd like.
Do I have to have witnesses?
Colorado - no witness
California - 1 witness for a public marriage license, no witness needed for a confidential marriage license
Oregon - 2 witnesses
How much does it cost?
We are truly committed to serving couples of ALL budget levels. Subsequently, our prices range from under $20 (for our Do-It-Yourself Wedding Ceremony E-Kit) to over $600 (for our pull-out-all-the-stops Premium Custom Ceremony)
Yes, that's quite a large range! It's difficult to quote a price without knowing the full scope of your circumstances: your officiant preferences, amount of customizing you want in the ceremony, if you want us to facilitate your rehearsal, the simplicity/complexity of your service, whether you want to meet with your officiant in person (or if telephone consults will suffice), your ceremony location etc. We've found the best way to give couples an accurate and firm quote is to chat briefly about these variables.
We encourage couples to establish a realistic budget for all of their wedding vendors. We also acknowledge and respect that each couple will want to prioritize their spending differently for various parts of their wedding day. To that end, we offer a variety of officiating services and products so that every couple may have the ceremony they seek at a price that is both affordable for them and compensates our wedding officiants fairly for their expertise, experience, time, energy, creativity and professionalism.
Our goal is to give you everything you want, without asking you to pay for the things that you don't.
Simply contact Maureen. In less than five minutes, she can ask the right questions to help you determine the best ceremony level for you, and quote you a firm price.
Do you charge travel fees?
When we suggest an officiant match for your ceremony, we take the following into consideration: your preference (of course!) officiant availability, and location. Your price quote will include everything except any day-of-wedding-incidentals, which you'd pay directly to the officiant.
So, no travel fees--are there any other additional charges?
You will incur additional charges if your ceremony does not start on time. We allow a 15 minute grace period (10 minutes for elopements) after which we do charge additionally for each 15-minute increment of time that is delayed ($25 for each 15 minutes or portion thereof). While this rarely happens, you will want to consider your time choice carefully when booking with us. Be sure your site coordinator is aware of this, as well.
If there is no free parking at you venue, we ask that you reimburse your officiant for any parking fees. Also if your venue requires an admission fee (such as a State or National Park or a Botanic Garden or other recreational site), please cover that for your officiant on the day of the ceremony. Any unusual charges to get the officiant to your ceremony site on the day of your wedding (such as a chair lift if you are to be wed at the top of a mountain) would also be covered by you.
If you chose to split your payment to us (i.e. pay the minimum $100 retainer with the balance due one month before your wedding) then we charge an additional $10 processing fee. If payments are not received by the due date on your contract, a late fee is imposed.
We also have a last-minute fee $50) for any ceremonies booked less than 48 hours in advance of the wedding date. (Although we're happy to accommodate last-minute requests, it does make for a bit of a mad scramble to track down an officiant, process the payment and get your contract emailed off when we are in such a tight time window. It's doable, but we have to drop everything else that we're doing so that we can put last-minute requests at the top of the list.)
Can I write my own wedding vows?
Absolutely. Customization of vows is included in the Classic and Premium ceremonies. And if you want to include your own vows in the Elopement or Basic Ceremony, we ask that you keep them to a length that is similar to our pre-written ones.
I don't fit completely into any of your ceremony service levels. I'm in between two. Do I have to upgrade to get all the things I want even if the higher level contains things that I don't want?
No. Contact Maureen and tell her the elements you want included and she'll quote you a price that is between the two levels.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept major credit cards through Paypal and Google Checkout. You may also pay in cash or check, but remember that the date is not guaranteed until payment is received. Paying by credit card with Google Checkout or Paypal ensures that you are placed on the officiant's calendar sooner. We also accept credit card payments directly over the phone.
Do you offer other wedding-related services such as flower, photography, or chair rentals?
We prefer to stick to what we do best, and that is officiating. It makes sense that we offer one amazing service as opposed to several mediocre ones. So we leave the flowers, photos and chairs to other pros. We are usually able to recommend other quality vendors in the areas we serve, so just ask.
How do I obtain a copy of my marriage license after you marry us?
You officiant will mail the license to the County Clerk within one business day of the ceremony. The Clerk will then certify the document and record the marriage. In Colorado, the certified marriage license will be mailed to you automatically. In California and Oregon, you must request (and pay for) a certified copy of the license. You will be given a form to do this when you apply for the license.
What do I need to do to legally change my last name after we are married?
You will need copies of the certified marriage license for changing your name on credit cards, bank accounts, etc. You will need the original for your driver's license, passport and social security card. Also, if you are to be included in your spouse's health insurance plan, do not assume that this is automatic; you will need to enroll and produce evidence of the marriage (either the original or a copy) before you will be covered. Note: in California and Oregon, you must decide if you are taking your spouse's last name when you apply for the license. In Colorado, the decision to change your last name may be done at any time.
I've written my own ceremony. I just need someone to perform it and make everything legal. Do you have a fee for that?
Well, no. Well, maybe--but it won't be as inexpensive as you are hoping for. We're not the best choice of the "show up and read the ceremony you wrote" choice. Most ceremonies written by amateurs really....well....let's just say they could use some professional "tweaking" and leave it at that. By the time we edit, correct and re-do the ceremony, we've generally put in the small a mount of time it takes for a full fledged custom ceremony, so that is the rate we charge to "show up and read it". Even if you have a perfectly worded ceremony, we still need to rehearse it so that it flows beautifully from our lips to your (and your guests') ears, so there is more behind-the-scenes time that you think.
We're already legally married (but no one knows). Can you still perform a ceremony? And is there a reduced fee because the officiant doesn't have to complete and file the marriage license?
It's perfectly fine if you're already legally married. That just means the legal part has been taken care of; you can still have a ceremony and yes, you can trust us to keep quiet about your already-married status to Grandma Jean. But no, there is no discount, since filing the license takes all of one minute and the cost of a stamp.
Does my officiant stay for the reception?
The choice to stay for the reception, if invited, is up to each individual officiant.
Is it customary to tip the officiant?
Gratuities are never expected, but always appreciated.
Do you have a location in which you perform ceremonies?
We do not have a location, but will be happy to marry you anywhere--at a park, your home or any other place of your choosing. Contact us if you want some suggestions for locations.
What are your qualifications and experience to perform weddings?
At minimum, all of Lyssabeth's wedding officiants are licensed to perform weddings through the Universal Life Church-an interfaith and nondenominational ministry. Because the ULC embraces diversity of beliefs, it allows us to perform a wide variety of ceremonies--from the very secular to the very religious. Many Lyssabeth's officiants have additional certifications that allow them to perform legal ceremonies. If you are seeking a particular type of credential (i.e. a justice of the peace or a minister) let us know and we'll tell you who is available. Note that regardless of the officiant's title, all Lyssabeth's officiants use identical ceremony resources. We will never add any words to a ceremony that conflict with a couple's stated values. Regardless of individual credentials, Lyssabeth's officiants are well-spoken, creative, energetic and calm in the midst of chaos!
We have an in-depth officiant training program that includes study of the Lyssabeth's training manual, classes, observance and one-on-one mentoring.
Where does the name "Lyssabeth" come from?
"Lyssabeth" is the hybrid name of Maureen's two daughter's Bethany and Alyssa. Now adults, they seem to have turned out a-okay, so Maureen decided if she named the business after them, she might get lucky and achieve the same success. So far, it's working--Lyssabeth's was founded in 2002 and continues to flourish. For more on the history of Lyssabeth's Wedding Officiants, please see the About Us Page.
Will you perform ceremonies for same-sex couples?
Do you really have to ask that? Absolutely!
There are so many of you and we want our officiant to get to know us personally! Will I still get personalized service?
Absolutely! The reason there are so many of us is that the demand has grown for the creativity, joy and uniqueness that Lyssabeth's officiants bring to each ceremony. Each officiant is chosen by Maureen personally and embodies the Lyssabeth's philosophy of excellence, acceptance of all beliefs and ensuring that every nuance of your ceremony is reflective of your love and values. And although we are a group, you will form a relationship solely with your officiant (although rest assured that we do fill in as backup to one another in the unlikely event of an emergency).
How much advance notice do you need in order to book a wedding?
Because we are a group of wedding officiants, chances are good that you will be able to find one of us having availability--even if you are giving very short notice. If you are seeking a Classic or Premium Custom ceremony, we suggest booking at least six months in advance so that we can get to know you, although we can make it happen with less time than that. Just remember that we cannot hold your date and time without a minimum $100 retainer and a signed contract. Also note that some of our officiants are booked over a year in advance so if you have your heart set on one particular officiant, it's best to book ASAP.
How long is the ceremony?
A Classic or Premium Custom Ceremony can range from 15 minutes to 40 minutes, depending on the number of components added. You can get a lot of creativity and innovation into a 20 to 25 minute ceremony! Anything longer than that would be too lengthy for most folks. You will want to get to the post-ceremony party, after all! Once we write your ceremony, your officiant will give you a good idea of what to expect in terms of time.
An Elopement Ceremony is about 10-12 minutes long. A Basic Ceremony is approximately 15-18 minutes long, depending upon the processional and recessional time.
What does the officiant wear?
It's all about what you want to reflect. For many weddings, we will wear a robe (with or without religious connotations). If you do not wish us to wear a robe, then we will wear appropriate, subdued wedding attire (suit and tie for men, suit or dress for women), or anything else you'd like.
Do I have to have witnesses?
Colorado - no witness
California - 1 witness for a public marriage license, no witness needed for a confidential marriage license
Oregon - 2 witnesses
How much does it cost?
We are truly committed to serving couples of ALL budget levels. Subsequently, our prices range from under $20 (for our Do-It-Yourself Wedding Ceremony E-Kit) to over $600 (for our pull-out-all-the-stops Premium Custom Ceremony)
Yes, that's quite a large range! It's difficult to quote a price without knowing the full scope of your circumstances: your officiant preferences, amount of customizing you want in the ceremony, if you want us to facilitate your rehearsal, the simplicity/complexity of your service, whether you want to meet with your officiant in person (or if telephone consults will suffice), your ceremony location etc. We've found the best way to give couples an accurate and firm quote is to chat briefly about these variables.
We encourage couples to establish a realistic budget for all of their wedding vendors. We also acknowledge and respect that each couple will want to prioritize their spending differently for various parts of their wedding day. To that end, we offer a variety of officiating services and products so that every couple may have the ceremony they seek at a price that is both affordable for them and compensates our wedding officiants fairly for their expertise, experience, time, energy, creativity and professionalism.
Our goal is to give you everything you want, without asking you to pay for the things that you don't.
Simply contact Maureen. In less than five minutes, she can ask the right questions to help you determine the best ceremony level for you, and quote you a firm price.
Do you charge travel fees?
When we suggest an officiant match for your ceremony, we take the following into consideration: your preference (of course!) officiant availability, and location. Your price quote will include everything except any day-of-wedding-incidentals, which you'd pay directly to the officiant.
So, no travel fees--are there any other additional charges?
You will incur additional charges if your ceremony does not start on time. We allow a 15 minute grace period (10 minutes for elopements) after which we do charge additionally for each 15-minute increment of time that is delayed ($25 for each 15 minutes or portion thereof). While this rarely happens, you will want to consider your time choice carefully when booking with us. Be sure your site coordinator is aware of this, as well.
If there is no free parking at you venue, we ask that you reimburse your officiant for any parking fees. Also if your venue requires an admission fee (such as a State or National Park or a Botanic Garden or other recreational site), please cover that for your officiant on the day of the ceremony. Any unusual charges to get the officiant to your ceremony site on the day of your wedding (such as a chair lift if you are to be wed at the top of a mountain) would also be covered by you.
If you chose to split your payment to us (i.e. pay the minimum $100 retainer with the balance due one month before your wedding) then we charge an additional $10 processing fee. If payments are not received by the due date on your contract, a late fee is imposed.
We also have a last-minute fee $50) for any ceremonies booked less than 48 hours in advance of the wedding date. (Although we're happy to accommodate last-minute requests, it does make for a bit of a mad scramble to track down an officiant, process the payment and get your contract emailed off when we are in such a tight time window. It's doable, but we have to drop everything else that we're doing so that we can put last-minute requests at the top of the list.)
Can I write my own wedding vows?
Absolutely. Customization of vows is included in the Classic and Premium ceremonies. And if you want to include your own vows in the Elopement or Basic Ceremony, we ask that you keep them to a length that is similar to our pre-written ones.
I don't fit completely into any of your ceremony service levels. I'm in between two. Do I have to upgrade to get all the things I want even if the higher level contains things that I don't want?
No. Contact Maureen and tell her the elements you want included and she'll quote you a price that is between the two levels.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept major credit cards through Paypal and Google Checkout. You may also pay in cash or check, but remember that the date is not guaranteed until payment is received. Paying by credit card with Google Checkout or Paypal ensures that you are placed on the officiant's calendar sooner. We also accept credit card payments directly over the phone.
Do you offer other wedding-related services such as flower, photography, or chair rentals?
We prefer to stick to what we do best, and that is officiating. It makes sense that we offer one amazing service as opposed to several mediocre ones. So we leave the flowers, photos and chairs to other pros. We are usually able to recommend other quality vendors in the areas we serve, so just ask.
How do I obtain a copy of my marriage license after you marry us?
You officiant will mail the license to the County Clerk within one business day of the ceremony. The Clerk will then certify the document and record the marriage. In Colorado, the certified marriage license will be mailed to you automatically. In California and Oregon, you must request (and pay for) a certified copy of the license. You will be given a form to do this when you apply for the license.
What do I need to do to legally change my last name after we are married?
You will need copies of the certified marriage license for changing your name on credit cards, bank accounts, etc. You will need the original for your driver's license, passport and social security card. Also, if you are to be included in your spouse's health insurance plan, do not assume that this is automatic; you will need to enroll and produce evidence of the marriage (either the original or a copy) before you will be covered. Note: in California and Oregon, you must decide if you are taking your spouse's last name when you apply for the license. In Colorado, the decision to change your last name may be done at any time.
I've written my own ceremony. I just need someone to perform it and make everything legal. Do you have a fee for that?
Well, no. Well, maybe--but it won't be as inexpensive as you are hoping for. We're not the best choice of the "show up and read the ceremony you wrote" choice. Most ceremonies written by amateurs really....well....let's just say they could use some professional "tweaking" and leave it at that. By the time we edit, correct and re-do the ceremony, we've generally put in the small a mount of time it takes for a full fledged custom ceremony, so that is the rate we charge to "show up and read it". Even if you have a perfectly worded ceremony, we still need to rehearse it so that it flows beautifully from our lips to your (and your guests') ears, so there is more behind-the-scenes time that you think.
We're already legally married (but no one knows). Can you still perform a ceremony? And is there a reduced fee because the officiant doesn't have to complete and file the marriage license?
It's perfectly fine if you're already legally married. That just means the legal part has been taken care of; you can still have a ceremony and yes, you can trust us to keep quiet about your already-married status to Grandma Jean. But no, there is no discount, since filing the license takes all of one minute and the cost of a stamp.
Does my officiant stay for the reception?
The choice to stay for the reception, if invited, is up to each individual officiant.
Is it customary to tip the officiant?
Gratuities are never expected, but always appreciated.
Do you have a location in which you perform ceremonies?
We do not have a location, but will be happy to marry you anywhere--at a park, your home or any other place of your choosing. Contact us if you want some suggestions for locations.
What are your qualifications and experience to perform weddings?
At minimum, all of Lyssabeth's wedding officiants are licensed to perform weddings through the Universal Life Church-an interfaith and nondenominational ministry. Because the ULC embraces diversity of beliefs, it allows us to perform a wide variety of ceremonies--from the very secular to the very religious. Many Lyssabeth's officiants have additional certifications that allow them to perform legal ceremonies. If you are seeking a particular type of credential (i.e. a justice of the peace or a minister) let us know and we'll tell you who is available. Note that regardless of the officiant's title, all Lyssabeth's officiants use identical ceremony resources. We will never add any words to a ceremony that conflict with a couple's stated values. Regardless of individual credentials, Lyssabeth's officiants are well-spoken, creative, energetic and calm in the midst of chaos!
We have an in-depth officiant training program that includes study of the Lyssabeth's training manual, classes, observance and one-on-one mentoring.
Where does the name "Lyssabeth" come from?
"Lyssabeth" is the hybrid name of Maureen's two daughter's Bethany and Alyssa. Now adults, they seem to have turned out a-okay, so Maureen decided if she named the business after them, she might get lucky and achieve the same success. So far, it's working--Lyssabeth's was founded in 2002 and continues to flourish. For more on the history of Lyssabeth's Wedding Officiants, please see the About Us Page.
Will you perform ceremonies for same-sex couples?
Do you really have to ask that? Absolutely!
There are so many of you and we want our officiant to get to know us personally! Will I still get personalized service?
Absolutely! The reason there are so many of us is that the demand has grown for the creativity, joy and uniqueness that Lyssabeth's officiants bring to each ceremony. Each officiant is chosen by Maureen personally and embodies the Lyssabeth's philosophy of excellence, acceptance of all beliefs and ensuring that every nuance of your ceremony is reflective of your love and values. And although we are a group, you will form a relationship solely with your officiant (although rest assured that we do fill in as backup to one another in the unlikely event of an emergency).
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©Copyright Lyssabeth's Wedding Officiants 2002-2010
©Copyright Lyssabeth's Wedding Officiants 2002-2010
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