yet another officiant question!!!!!

I am going to contact both Rev. Joe DiVincenzo and April at the Church of Ancient Ways, what I am wondering is if anyone has actually seen a ceremony performed by them?? I know I read that some brides are using Rev. Joe, but have you just spoken with him, or what is your experience with him? Same question about April. I saw April's website, and it looks like she performs a beautiful ceremony. I just don't know how you go about choosing someone to do your ceremony!! Thanks for your help!!! :)

yet another officiant question!!!!!

Hi, I was probably one of the messages you read about Joe Devincenzo. My fi and I met with him in person and liked him right away. He and his wife made us feel very comfortable and like we were old friends. They took the time to get to know us. I had talked over the phone to a few priests, rabbis, officiants and just got the 'we don't have to meet until the rehersal' blow off. They didn't want to take the time to meet with us and answer questions we had. That is the biggest reason why we went with Joe. The others were also concerned about how much money we would be paying them and how much the other person was getting (we were going to have both a rabbi and a priest). Joe and his wife preformed a mock ceremony for us right in their home. We had picked out our readings, vows, etc. and they preformed it for us to hear how it sounds. Judy (Joe's wife) took care to edit and add words etc. to all the readings and vows to make it meaningful and special to us. She takes pride in not having 2 ceremonies be alike. They also have a website where you can read some comments from other people that have used them (since this is their own website, I'm sure they only include the good review- but after meeting with them, I can't imagine there being any neg.) I think the website is www.perfect_weddingplanner.com. I'm not sure though (my fi has their business card with the address on it. If it is different, I will let you know) You can also do a search for their website. Good Luck!

Rev. Joe...

thanks Kelly! I did see his website, and I contacted them via email. I do like that they meet with you. I spoke with a Judge that my facility recommends, and although he seems pretty nice, he doesn`t want to meet, everything is through the mail or phone, and he doesn`t even do a rehearsal (he says to keep the costs down). I think since the ceremony is THE reason we are having this celebration, we should put a little more effort into it, right? So thank you for the advice...oh, can you tell me where they are located, that would help! Thanks!!

Rev. Joe...

Hi, I'm glad I could be of some help. Joe is located in Farmingville. They were not too far from my house. You are right about it being your day. I think I forgot to mention that Judy will print up your entire ceremony on nice stationary and put it into a nice album as a keepsake. Good luck with whatever you choose. Let me know if I can be of any further help.

I am meeting with April today...

and she sounded great over the phone, and you are right, her website shows some wonderful stuff. I was really impressed by a meditation that she read over the phone to me about remembering loved ones that we have lost. She is more 'spiritual' than 'religious' and that's what my FH and I want. I'll let you know how it goes today. I am just going to go by my intiution, and not wait for recommendations by anyone else (like I did with the DJ, photographer etc.)

I am meeting with April today...

thanks ladies! I mentioned both of these officiants to my fiance, and it seems he wants more info! I am more spiritual than he is, so of course I want something more for more ceremony. Nina-please post again after you meet with her!! I like the idea about a reading for loved ones who've passed away...I wanted to do doves, but I think we might be changing our mind about that...a reading would be nice! Anyway, pleas let me know! Thank you too Kelly about Rev. Joe..I have been in touch with them, I just need to make a follow-up call. :) JOY

Met with April today...(long)

and both me and my FH love her. I only met one other officiant, so that is basically who I compared April to. The other one had basic vows, and told us we can change them, but didn't seem creative. But, since I'm not sure of what you are looking for in the ceremony, I can only tell you that April is a great writer, knows her stuff, and really wants the ceremony to be what you want it to be. We are of different religions and cultural backgrounds, so the vows are not typical, and we don't want words that are specific to either of our religions mentioned (except for 2 readings). For example, we might say 'Divine Spirit' instead of 'God'. She is very open-minded, for lack of a better word, I'd say 'new-agey', and I think practices many eastern philosophies, so if you are not into a 'different' kind of ceremony, she may not be for you. However, this is exactly what we were looking for. What she is doing is so personalized to each of us, and who we are, and I can tell that our guests will leave thinking 'that was a very meaningful ceremony' and that it will bring up a lot of emotions for people. Let me know if you have other questions.

nina and bnjoyful....

sounds like both April and Joe are great people! Whoever you choose will best fit you and your fi's personalities and expectations. Best of luck and let us know which way you go! Kelly

Nina

Hi- I'm so happy to hear all this about Rev. April. I'm getting married at the Historical Chapel in Dec. and Rev. April is the name they gave us as the officiant for our ceremony. We were in contact a while back via email, and she seemed extremely helpful and sympathetic to my worries. My FH and I are also different religions - and we choose to have a non-denominational type of ceremony rather than an interfaith one. She seemed very accomodating, but we have yet to meet her. I actually posted a message to her on the vendor board, because I want to email her to set up an appt. to confirm that she is in fact performing the ceremony. I am just really glad you were so happy with your meeting with her, not only for selfish reasons, but for you as well!! :) Best of luck. Maybe we could share ideas...

Marnles

The Historical Chapel sounds wonderful. There's a link to their site from April's website, so I saw pictures. Yes, she does seem quite intuitive, warm, and accomodating. One more thing accomplished on my list, and it doesn't hurt to feel good about it! It's great that you are meeting with her too. Did you see her website and various readings? If not, it's www.churchoftheancientways.org. Feel free to email me at [email protected].

Met with April today...(long)

Thanks Nina! I think I will meet with April just to see what she offers. I have to say, the new age stuff scares me. I didn't know how to describe it to my fiance, but that is exactly it! We wouldn't even want a 'divine spirit' mentioned...but that is just us. So I think I will meet with her to see what she can create...everything else I like...her wording, her personalization. I will keep you all posted! thank you again, and congrats on getting one more thing accomplished!! Continued good luck to you all!! Oh Nina, by the way, did you meet with her in Seaford or somewhere else??? :) JOY

bnjoyful

I met with her at her house in Seaford. I agree that you can see what she's like and then compare her to anyone else you met. After getting caught up with the wedding hall, DJ, other vendors, I forgot for a little while to focus on the ceremony, as the most important part! Just so you know, you can say whatever you want, and she's completely open to it. She likes writing and creating stuff that you and your FH want. She didn't seem like the pressuring type, but if you ask her for suggestions, she will have them. Good luck!

Rev. Joe...

hi this is helen we too are using rev joe and judy aren't they great. we had such a nice time at there home. when are you getting married. i noticed alot of people are talking about april, i spoke to her she was pleasent but a bit wierd. plus my fi wasn't thrilled with a woman doing the ceremony. anyway good luck byeee helen