What You Can Expect to Pay

I’m so glad you asked!

You have unique wishes, needs and requirements for your ceremony. This is why I always quote my fees individually. Once we have spoken and I have a better understanding of your event, I will be delighted to offer you a firm quote (in person, over the phone or by email).

Everyone, myself included, loves a bargain. At the same time we all understand value. The lowest price is the deciding factor when there is a simple product involved with no difference in quality. However, every officiant’s training, personality and services vary considerably.

You can always find someone who offers less expensive, impersonal, cookie cutter ceremonies, but I offer you the moon and more.

Skill Combined with Heart

As a professionally educated and certified, Master Life-Cycle Celebrant™ , Officiant and Ceremony Specialist, I am experienced and skilled in the art of creating and performing ceremonies–from weddings to funerals. To continue honing my craft, I take voice lessons and study constantly to expand my knowledge of ceremony, world religions, and wedding and funeral practices.

Before I begin composing your totally personal, made-only-for-you ceremony, I take great care to learn about you, your loved one, your unique stories, and your wishes and intentions. Once I have finished writing your ceremony, I make sure you approve every word. On your chosen day and time, I welcome you and your guests with professionalism, grace and heart and conduct your ceremony exactly the way you envisioned it.

How do you want to remember your day? How do you want to feel? How do you want your guests to remember your priceless, once-in-a-lifetime moment?

Contact Melissa

How I Determine My Fees

My fees are based upon many factors, such as the time required to write your custom, one-of-a-kind ceremony (usually 15+ hours); the complexity of the ceremony you desire combined with the location of your event; the travel time required; and the number of people who will be attending. Rehearsals for weddings and officiating times are always included in my quotation, as well as unlimited edits and emails.

For Example…

To give you an idea of how this works, here are some examples.

• Effortless
  You don’t need any personalization, you just want to get MARRIED! I will arrive at your location of choice (within the Portland Metro area), joyfully and lovingly celebrate your marriage with a short but beautiful marriage ceremony and file your paperwork with the license county of origin. And then, you will be legally wed!

• Simply Elegant
  You don’t need a custom ceremony because you’ve already found your readings, written your vows and selected the music but you do want a simple ceremony personalized for you. I’ll offer you suggestions for your readings, words, vows, and rituals. You select the ones with which you resonate most strongly and then personalize them until you’re content. Then I’ll make sure that everything flows together into a simple yet elegant ceremony, present it on the day and time of your choice, warmly and joyfully officiate your ceremony, file your paperwork and hit all of the right notes without taking too long or including too many details.

• SIGNATURE STYLE – most requested
  You want a ceremony that is customized for YOU! I will create and design your ceremony reflecting your personalities, traditions and beliefs – your Signature Style, if you will. I will incorporate anything and everything that is important to you…including writing your Love Story, the special vows you want to say to your beloved to the readings, music, rituals and elements. This ceremony is a deliciously individual, beautifully expressed experience designed to intimately connect you to all who have gathered with you to celebrate this day. It will be the most meaningful, memorable, loving and compelling ceremony you and your guests have ever attended or imagined.

Whichever you decide on, please know that I am THRILLED to help you celebrate your day!

Reserve Your Day as Soon as Possible

Because I receive inquiries for ceremonies every day, it is not unusual for the same dates to be requested. And since I only do one ceremony per day, please contact me as soon as possible to determine whether your date is still available. I require a deposit and signed agreement to hold a date on a first come, first served basis.

Contact Melissa