1. Do we meet our officiant before the wedding?

This is your call.  Some couples would rather handle everything by phone or e-mail, while others would rather meet in person.  Email us with your preference. 

2. What kind of ceremony is performed?

Our officiants are both ministers and civil servants. About 75% of our ceremonies are nondenominational Christian with traditional vows. The others are a combination of civil and customized. You may also use our customizing link to structure your ceremony an additional charge. 

3. How long is the ceremony?

Usually, ceremonies are 8 to 15 minutes depending on the size of your wedding party and additions to the ceremony you choose. While we don't rush through your ceremony, most Las Vegas wedding ceremonies are performed outside.  We try to consider the comfort of your guests who are outside much longer than your bridal party. Various religious organizations or churches have specific requirements, rules, or beliefs that are involved in their particular ceremonies making them longer in length. Ultimately, the decision is yours.

4. Should we buy our officiant a boutonniere?

Now, think real hard. If an officiant performs hundreds of weddings each year and each couple provides the officiant with a flower for the lapel, how long does the lapel last? (Answer: Not as long as your officiant needs it too!)

5. Can you help us design a program for our wedding?

Click on the RESOURCES link and scroll down to the "Order of Service" section for help in this area.

6. What if we want to bring our own officiant / minister?

That is not a problem!  We do need to know however that he is licensed by the State of Nevada.  Temporary licenses are available and we will be happy to assist your minister / officiant with this task.  Please use the CONTACT form.

7. Can we customize our ceremony?
 
Many choices are available on our "Ceremony Selection" link.  You may also fully customize or use your own ceremony at an additional charge.

8. What if we want to include his / her / our children in the ceremony?

We can do that, and there are several ways. Please go to the CEREMONY Selection link.

9. We are a shy / nervous couple and would prefer not to have to “repeat after me”.

Contact your officiant and he / she will simply read the vows to you as a question and you can reply “I do”.

10. May we write our own vows?

Most certainly you may. Some couples write them from their hearts, while others research published vows. Most, however, choose traditional vows due to the emotional value, ease of repeating, and continuity or "flow" with the ceremony. Common problems most people have in writing vows are that they are too lengthy and sometimes are disjointed.  You may be required to read the vows rather than repeat them.  Contact your officiant for this.

11. Is "honor & obey" still in the traditional vows?

This wording was removed many years ago. (While most husbands will usually obey, they have a hard time admitting it publicly!)

12. What about the “can anyone show just cause why this couple…”

Yep, this was removed too, once everyone realized that no one is perfect!

13. What are the responsibilities of the Best Man at the ceremony?

The Best Man usually helps in getting the marriage certificate signed and holds the rings until they are needed during the ceremony. He also sometimes takes care of tipping the officiant.  He also usually signs as a witness on the marriage certificate.

14. What are the responsibilities of the Maid/Matron of Honor at the ceremony?

The Maid/Matron of Honor usually holds the bridal bouquet during the ring ceremony and "fluffs" the brides train and veil when necessary. She usually also signs the marriage certificate as a witness.

15. Does our officiant attend the rehearsal?

No. This is for a variety of reasons.  1.) An officiant is nothing but a “fencepost” at a rehearsal.  2.) Most facilities have coordinators that handle your rehearsal, and they are usually pretty territorial and VERY GOOD at what they do.  3.) If you are doing a private affair, you may check out the RESOURCES link for a "Do it yourself rehearsal kit".  6.) In our opinion, rehearsals are WAY overblown.  They amount to a lining up of people and marching them in and out. Trust us.  Just have the wedding party go directly to the rehearsal DINNER. You can then watch how enthused the groom’s dad is about paying for dinner. (That’s got to be a heck of a lot more fun than a rehearsal!)

16. When does our officiant arrive at our wedding?

About 30 minutes to an hour before your ceremony. Don’t worry.  And yes, we always have a backup plan!

17. What does our officiant do on arrival?

He / she usually checks in with the wedding coordinator or whoever is available at the time.  Check for any last minute questions or instructions, take care of completing the paperwork, and having the witnesses (2) sign the marriage certificate.

18. Does our officiant receive tips / tokes?

Usually, no, but some couples do tip. If you choose to give a tip or toke, it will be appreciated and put to a good use. Just remember, it is neither required nor expected.

19. Can you explain the marriage license process?

Probably not but we will try! First see our RESOURCES link.  The day of your wedding your officiant will receive the Marriage Certificate, copy of Marriage Certificate, and copy of Marriage License from your two witnesses (usually the best man & maid/matron of honor along with the officiant fee in cash, if you are paying the officiant directly).  Officiant will complete the paperwork and return to your witnesses the souvenir copy of the certificate.  will be responsible for mailing into the Clark County Recorders Office the copy of the certificate, so you can obtain certified copies when you need them. The copy of the license must remain in the officiants files by law.

In order to complete your paperwork correctly: 1.) Don’t write on it yourself! 2.) Make sure your officiant receive all three forms. 3.) Provide the correct spelling of the witnesses names. 4.) REMEMBER THIS: You will not receive anything in the mail. If you want a certified copy, you must obtain it yourself from Clark County by mail (see the back of your certificate) or from the Clark County web site. Click on RESOURCES for further help.

20. Does our officiant stay for pictures? 

Our theory is you don’t really want your officiant in any of your pictures, even though many photographers want you to have the obligatory minister/bride/groom shot. If you would like a picture(s) with them, just let them know and they will be glad to accommodate.

21. Does our officiant stay for the reception?

This is absolutely the hardest question to answer of all the FAQs! Here is the answer in multi-parts:
1.) If you are asking because your mother or Martha Stewart expects you to ask us, don’t worry about it. Our policy is: “It’s your wedding, you get it your way!” We're never offended if you don’t ask.
2.) If you genuinely want us there, We will do my best to stay, but we can never guarantee we can stay. Our officiants' schedules sometimes changes on a daily basis. In addition,  Emergencies come up from time to time.
3.) Because of answer #2, We hate for a couple to pay for dinner for the officiant.
4.) Our best solution: If you want, invite your officiant and they will stay if they can.  Don’t include your officiant in the guest count and they will sit at an empty table. (We can count on one hand the number of weddings we have attended where everyone shows up!)  If that happens, they will visit with your guests until dinner and then will make a graceful, discreet, and quiet exit.
5.) If we stay for dinner, we usually exit before the cake cutting. Our lives are very busy, and cake and champagne every night until midnight is a bit much!
6.) If your mother or Martha Stewart wins out, your officiant and they will be at your reception if they can.
7.) Please don’t worry about us.  It never hurts us to miss a meal once in a while! (They can always sneak in the kitchen and get something!)

22. Can we have our ceremony performed in a different language than English?

Email us from the CONTACT form link.  Tell us what you would like and we will ATTEMPT to find an officiant that speaks your needed langauge.  There may be an additional charge.  We can also provide a translated ceremony as an option.

23. What's the process for changing my name?

We recommend using "The Official New Bride Name Change Kit." It saves you time and money by not having to run all over town obtaining the forms from various places. Click on RESOURCES.

24. What are the marriage rules in Nevada?

Please click on RESOURCES for this information and a contact phone number

25. Who do you recommend for our...?

We always recommend you use those approved by our wedding facility.  They are more knowledgeable and they will be there.  If you have any problems with product or service, you have leverage through the facility you wouldn't have otherwise.