the officiant thread continued...Rev. Joe/April...

Well, I spoke with Judy, the wife of Rev. Joe. She went through the whole ceremony pretty much on the phone, and got me all excited about it...until I heard the cost. They charge double what other officiants are charging. To those of you who have interviewed them as well as other officiants...do they do a ceremony that much different from everyone else that they warrant that much money?? I actually haven`t spoken to April yet...I will be calling her later. I planned to see Judy and Joe today, but my schuduled was too hectic...I need to reschedule. Their ceremony sounds lovely, but I am wondering if other officiants do just as good a job. What do you all think??????

the officiant thread continued...Rev. Joe/April...

we are also using rev.joe for the ceremony. he and his wife are absolutely wonderful, they were so helpful and REAL. my fi who was so nervous meeting him was so happy when we left and said these are people we would love to hang out with. i spoke with several ministers before we booked with him and his price was paar with the rest, but He gives you the whole ceremony in a book and a beautiful marriage certificate and even will come to the rehersal at no extra cost, no one else told us they did that. anyway we are thrilled and are very excited

the officiant thread continued...Rev. Joe/April...

How much do they charge?

the officiant thread continued...Rev. Joe/April...

Thanks for your input on Rev. Joe. Everyone I have spoken to it seems charges $250, they are $500. But it seems well worth it. I don't want to seem like I am looking for the cheapest...I just don't want to pay more than is necessary if the other officiants have similar ceremonies!! So thanks for your insight.

I agree 100% with streetwarfare! (m)

even though they were more money (some officiants we spoke to were around their price as well) but they do give you a lot for your money. All other officiants we talked to didn't care to meet with us before the ceremony and didn't even want to discuss the rehersal. can you imagine that they said that one is not nescessary except for right before the actual wedding ceremony! I don't know about you, but I do not want to see my fh before I walk down that aisle. The officiants tried to talk me out of what I wanted! Joe and Judy have told me that they will meet whenever to hold a rehersal wherever we want! Free of charge! I also like the idea that they will provide marriage counceling free of charge whenever we need it (hopefully never and any ceremonies you may need for future babies (baby naming, christenings, brisks, interfaith baby ceremonies etc). I'm sure any other officiant would not do this for nothing. Well, that's my take. Just wanted to tell you my thoughts. Good luck with whatever you decide! Just go with whoever you feel will work out the best for both you and your fh~ and keep us posted on your choice! Kelly

Other officiants

I met with Joe and also with Susan Marlan. I believe Susan charges $400 + travel. She did not offer, however, to come to my house for a rehearsal, to help me choose readings, to offer counseling, etc. I'm very confident with Rev. Joe and I'm really excited about my perfect ceremony!

the officiant thread continued...Rev. Joe/April...

I've already posted about how I felt about meeting with April. She said it's a 'suggested donation' of $300. She also showed me a covered binder that she will give us for the vows, etc. Looks like she is willing to create many drafts of our personalized ceremony (she just emailed me the first), so depending on the time she spends, I think $300 is fair. It's also the feeling that you have about the officiant. April is really sweet, helpful, and listened to us a lot.I spoke with S. Marlan, and she had an edge to her over the phone. I spoke with a couple of people in NYC and Westchester who quoted $500-$600 + travel. Can't comment on Rev. Joe, since I never contacted him. Did you meet April? Good luck with everything!

I think I have officially lost my mind...

I am really sittin on the fence about this issue!!!!!! ACK!!!! I can totally relate to all those posts in the frustrated thread about the cost of this whole affair! ACCKKKK!! I wish I had thought about this before all these other details that keep popping up...like the fact that we now have to go to the Vanderbilt to take pictures cuz we can only get into the Thatched Cottage 1 hr. prior. (add $250-it would have only been $200, but once we got there, I couldn`t decide between 2 sites, so I took them both!) And now since we are going there, we need limos for the bridal party (add around $700) And the invitations 'have' to be done in calligraphy, or they won`t look 'right' (add around $100 for 75 invites) And we need 2 hotel rooms so we are in one convenient location and I can keep track of everyone, and not have to worry about them not showing up on time (add $250) And my hair and makeup..everyone is posting the cost of these services...what are these people, brain surgeons??!!!!(add $150-200 JUST FOR ME????) But that`s not enough, I may also have to worry about this overpriced hairdresser showing up in some slutty outfit with ripped stockings??? Shouldn`t all the money we give her enable her to buy professional looking garb??!!!! I wish I had thought about the officiant before all these details...cuz I would have remembered that that is the reason for the day. So the money spent is well worth it if it is a beautiful ceremony. Instead, I am worrying how much these people are charging...and if I can 'shop around' and find comparable services for 'cheaper'. I must say, I feel cheap, and petty, and I am about ready to break into my piggy bank for all those pennies I have saves since I was a kid!!!!!!!! My fiance made ONE comment, his first comment ever, last night about the cost of all this stuff. I told him he is NOT ALLOWED to stress out about the cost, cuz that will WORRY ME MORE!!!!! So I nipped that in the bud. Thank you all for listening. I will keep you posted on my choice. :) JOY

the officiant thread continued...Rev. Joe/April...

correct me if i`m wrong a donation is when you put your hand in your pocket and give what you can. when someone tells you a donation of at least $300 then that`s a FEE, right!!! a fee is a specific amount and a donation isn`t. RIGHT.

streetwarfare...good point

that i didn't think of, i did think of only giving her $250 but I will see how much time she really spends and if I think $300 is worth it. anyway, if i think about this too much, i will lose my mind too, and at this point i probably won't worry about donation vs. fee.

We're going with Rev. Joe

We meet this week with Rev. Joe and his wife, Judy. They were both very nice, Rev. Joe kept reminding us that we can do anything that we wanted -it was our ceremony. He was open to all questions. No hard sell what so ever. We decided to go with him. Be prepared though, to pick out your ceremony right then and there. Although, Judy said you can make any changes you want later on. I would recommend them!