FAQ's

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We got married oversees/out of state, can we get married again locally with family and friends? We are from out of state. How do we get a Florida Marriage License? What is required? Who files our marriage license with the Court Clerk after the ceremony? Is a rehearsal necessary? What about including children in the ceremony? How do we reserve our date? Will we meet you in person before the ceremony? How do we design our ceremony? Are you available for last minute ceremonies? What do you wear for the ceremony? Will you travel? What is your ceremony time frame? Do you have references? What happens if you are not available to officiate at the ceremony due to an emergency or prior booking? Does the Officiant receive an invitation? Do we ask our Officiant to stay for the reception? Is it customary to tip the Officiant? What is your payment structure? We got married oversees/out of state, can we get married again locally with family and friends? This would be just fine. You would not need to get a marriage license or file any paperwork locally since you would have done that at the official ceremony. Back to Top We are from out of state. How do we get a Florida Marriage License? What is required? If you are from out of town, the following link will direct you to assistance in obtaining a Florida Marriage License: http://www.weddinghelpline.com/FLmarrlicmail.htm If you are in Brevard County, this link will provide the information you need: http://www.brevardclerk.us/pages/marriage.htm Back to Top Who files our marriage license with the Court Clerk after the ceremony? The next business day after your wedding ceremony I personally deliver the completed marriage license to the local courthouse. I receive the certified copy while I am at the courthouse and then mail it to you the next business day. Your certificate package from North Brevard Bridal will include the certified copy of your marriage license, your personalized marriage certificate suitable for framing, and your keepsake copy of the wedding ceremony. Back to Top Is a rehearsal necessary? A rehearsal is not necessary but is a good idea if you have an inexperienced wedding party and if all are not familiar with the ceremony site set-up. I am able to direct a rehearsal so that everyone knows when and where to be and what to do. Back to Top What about including children in the ceremony? If you want to include children in the actual procession and ceremony I recommend that they be at least 8 years old. For children above the age of 12 they could act as junior bridesmaid, usher, or attendant. I can custom design your ceremony to include family vows, and/or the children’s promise of support for the newly formed family. Back to Top How do we reserve our date? Please reference my “Availability” page, then contact me by phone, (321) 537-3276, or e-mail, BrevardBridal@aol.com, to arrange an appointment or we can have an initial consultation by phone. After we discuss your preferences and needs, if you choose to retain me for your wedding ceremony, you will need to submit your retainer fee. Retainer fees are not refundable should the wedding be cancelled for any reason. Back to Top Will we meet you in person before the ceremony? I prefer to meet my couples in person if at all possible at my office in Titusville. I am available to meet in the evenings between 4:30 and 7:00, on Saturdays if I am available. My only available afternoon appointment during the week is 1:30. This meeting would be a free initial consultation and a chance for us to meet and see if you are comfortable with me. However, we can do everything by telephone and e-mail if that is your preference. Back to Top How do we design our ceremony? There are several ways we can work together to design your ceremony. My preferred way to start is with the free initial consultation at my office in Titusville. A personal, face to face meeting allows me to get a sense of you as a couple as well as gather pertinent information such as how you met, commonalities, differences, family backgrounds, and ceremony preferences. You are also able to get a sense of who I am and whether or not you feel comfortable with me. We can also work together over the phone or through e-mail or a combination of both. I can create a customized ceremony based on the information you give me and then send it to you for your approval. I can send you several different prewritten ceremonies for you to look over. From them you can mix and match the parts that you like and create a ceremony all your own. I then submit the ceremony for your approval and you are free to make changes until you feel the ceremony is exactly what you want. Note: I will not release my specialized ceremonies until I have received the non-refundable booking date retainer. Back to Top Are you available for last minute ceremonies? Last minute ceremonies are possible, just give me a call at (321) 383-4205. Keep in mind that with short notice I will not be able to spend the necessary time to customize your ceremony. I have several pre-written ceremonies that you would be able to choose from. Back to Top What do you wear for the ceremony? You tell me! If you are having a theme wedding, I will be happy to participate by dressing appropriately. What I wear or don’t wear is totally up to you. I can wear a dress, skirt and blouse, or officiants robes. Back to Top Will you travel? I primarily serve the north Brevard county, Florida area including Titusville, Mims, Port St. John. I will travel south to Melbourne, east to the beaches, and west to Christmas. However, any travel outside of the north Brevard area may incur additional charges at my discretion. Back to Top What is your ceremony time frame? I plan my arrival to be one-half hour prior to the ceremony. I will stay a minimum of 30 minutes after the ceremony. Back to Top Do you have references? The couples and their comments referenced on my “Happy Couples” web page are authentic. Once we have met in person I would be happy to put you in contact with those couples who have offered to speak with prospective clients. Back to Top What happens if you are not available to officiate at the ceremony due to an emergency or prior booking? Your rehearsal and wedding date are secured on my calendar as soon as I receive the required deposit. You will be given my cell phone number for contact and I will always call if delayed. **Rev. Erica Nash, www.trinitychapelweddings.com, and **Rev. Melissa Straub, www.occasionallyyoursbrevard.com, are two excellent Ministers that are highly recommended if by chance we are either not available or are not in your current location range. They are also both fellow members of the American Association of Wedding Officiants (AAWO). If illness or physical injury to me or my family prevents me from performing your ceremony I would return all money paid to me and make alternate arrangements to make sure your ceremony is completed and legal. Back to Top Does the Officiant receive an invitation? Customarily, yes, a wedding invitation is sent to the Officiant. It is not a necessity for us. Back to Top Do we ask our Officiant to stay for the reception? In general, an invitation to attend the rehearsal dinner and wedding reception is considered respectful, considerate and just good etiquette. If your Officiant is a family friend or spiritual advisor it should feel natural for you to invite them. Even though I would be honored to participate in the festivities I do not require an invitation and I may not have the time to participate. Back to Top Is it customary to tip the Officiant? It is not necessary to tip the Officiant. For some Officiants a photograph of the bride and groom or the offer of a reference is more valuable. A nice note or card is always appreciated. However, it is not inappropriate or rude whether you tip your Officiant or not. It is entirely up to you and how you feel. Back to Top What is your payment structure? Officiant services: The retainer is $75 at the time of booking to reserve your date. If you choose our Simple ceremony service in the North Brevard area this retainer is considered payment in full. Other services: A retainer of 50% of the total is required. I will accept cash or postal money order. I may accept personal checks at my discretion. I can accept credit cards, but only through PayPal. If you book your wedding three months or more in advance I will be happy to work out a payment schedule with you. Payment in full is required two weeks prior to the wedding date. Bookings made less than 3 weeks before the wedding require a 100% non-refundable payment. If total payment is not received two weeks before the wedding date your reservation may be cancelled and booked by other parties without notice at my discretion. Late Fees: If I am officiating the ceremony I will charge an additional $50 per half hour if I have to wait more than 30 minutes past the scheduled starting time of any ceremony. My ability to wait more than 30 minutes will be solely at my discretion. I may waive the late charge, at my discretion. No refund will be given if I am not able to perform the ceremony because of any delays within the stipulated time period. Back to Top