Weddings
A ceremony that sounds like the two of you.
A wedding works when the people in the chairs recognize the two people standing at the front. That takes a conversation, not a template — which is why every ceremony I lead is written with the couple, not pulled off a shelf.
An ordained minister, so your marriage is legal in New Jersey the day you sign.
I have stood at the front of enough weddings to know that the ceremony is the part people remember and the part nobody rehearses enough. We will build yours together — your words where you want them, tradition where it means something to you.
Every couple
If you want to be married, I would be glad to marry you.
- Christian ceremonies — rooted in scripture and prayer, if that's the day you want.
- Interfaith and blended — two traditions in one service, both genuinely honored rather than one politely mentioned.
- Couples who aren't religious — a ceremony with weight and meaning that doesn't put words in your mouth.
- LGBTQ+ couples — welcome, fully and without qualification.
- Marrying again — after a divorce or the loss of a spouse, with whatever that day carries.
What's included
- First conversation
- A call or a coffee before anything is booked. No charge, no obligation — we're both deciding whether this is a fit.
- Your ceremony, written
- Order, readings, vows, blessings, length — built with you over a couple of drafts. You see every word before the day.
- The rehearsal
- I'll be there the night before to walk everyone through it, so nobody is guessing.
- The paperwork
- I sign the license and return it after the ceremony. You'll get the marriage certificate from the town.
- Travel
- Included anywhere in New Jersey. Further afield, ask and we'll work it out.
How a license works in New Jersey
This part trips up almost everyone, so here it is plainly. I'll walk you through it too.
- Where you apply
- The New Jersey municipality where either of you lives. If neither of you lives in New Jersey, apply in the town where the ceremony will happen. The license is good anywhere in the state.
- The 72-hour wait
- There's a 72-hour waiting period after you file before the license is issued. Don't leave it to the week of the wedding.
- Bring a witness
- You need a witness aged 18 or older with you at the application.
- The fee
- $28, paid to the municipality.
- How long it lasts
- The application stays valid for six months.
Requirements as published by the New Jersey Department of Health. Confirm details with your local registrar — towns vary in their hours and what they'll accept.
Fees
- Wedding ceremony
- $300 – $600, depending on the size of the day and how much we build together. Includes the first conversation, the written ceremony, the rehearsal, and the license handled.
- Small or civil ceremony
- At the lower end of that range — a short service, a few people, no rehearsal.
- Travel
- Included anywhere in New Jersey.
- To hold your date
- A deposit confirms the date, with the balance due before the rehearsal. We agree the figure when we talk.
Questions couples ask
Can we write our own vows? Yes, and I'll help if you're stuck. Plenty of couples do a traditional exchange and add something of their own.
Will you marry us outdoors, at a venue, in a backyard? Yes to all three. A church isn't required.
Can you include communion, a unity ritual, or a family tradition? Yes. Tell me what it means to you and we'll build it in properly.
How long is the ceremony? Usually twenty to thirty minutes. Shorter if you'd rather.
Do you require premarital meetings? Not required, but recommended — most couples find the conversation both helpful and useful in planning a personal wedding ceremony that resonates with who you truly are.
How far ahead should we book? Popular Saturdays go early. If your date is close, ask anyway — sometimes it works.
Book a wedding conversation
Half an hour to talk through your ceremony and check your date. Pick a time that suits you both.
Calendar not loading? Write to me and we will find a time.
Or just send your date
Tell me when and where, and I'll come back within a day or two either way.