Let’s Get Started – The Nuts & Bolts
Booking Process • Securing Your Date • The Basics of how we will work together
STEP 1: Get a Quote
Fill out and submit a short booking form. This form captures the nuts and bolts of your wedding so I can check my availability and provide you a custom quote based on the requested services.
STEP 2: Meet & Greet
To keep things simple and hassle free, the whole process can be done online via email. You can also request a 30-minute Meet & Greet (in person or via phone/online). Additional meetings for the discovery process can be worked into your contract.
STEP 3: Booking Your Date – Contract – Payment
You confirm via email you’d like to reserve your date and sign and send back my service agreement with a 50% deposit. Full payment is due 30 days prior to your wedding date.
STEP 4: Welcome Email – Providing Tips & Ideas
You will receive a welcome email with helpful information to start the ceremony creation process including a ceremony questionnaire, request for a couple digital photos, information on obtaining you marriage license, and a link to my Couples Portal on my website. The Portal is a resource for you for readings, unity ceremonies and more. You will also be signed up for my monthly newsletter which links to helpful blogs and resources. You can unsubscribe at any time.
STEP 5: Discovery Process – Gathering Information on the Couple
You fill out the ceremony questionnaire and I write a draft of your ceremony for you to review. The majority of communication can all be accomplished through email. For the Classic or Full Monty Package you can request another meeting to flush out any details for the unique aspects of your ceremony or to work on your vows.
STEP 6: Ceremony Approval & Edits
Your ceremony will be available electronically for your feedback and comments, additions, deletions, or whatever tweaks need to be made. You edit or approve your ceremony and whalla – one more item checked off your to do list!
STEP 7: Your Checklist – What to Bring to the Ceremony
Pick up your marriage license anywhere in Colorado prior to your wedding ceremony. If the Clerk and Recorder is outside of Summit County, please request a self-addressed envelope. Bring this all to the ceremony along with your rings.
STEP 8: The Rehearsal
For Classic and Full Monty Packages, the rehearsal is typically scheduled to occur on the day before your wedding and lasts between 20-30 minutes. Please ask your wedding party and anyone who will be escorted to their seats during the ceremony to arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled rehearsal time so we can start on time with everyone in attendance. The Rehearsal is often times run by your coordinator and the Officiant will cover the ceremony basics. Although we won’t run through the whole ceremony, we will practice the processional, recessional, any special readings and rituals and of course, “The Kiss”!
STEP 9: Your Wedding Day
Officiant will arrive between 15-30 minutes prior to your start time to check in with the couple, photographer, coordinator and musicians. The Couple will present the Officiant with the Marriage License prior to the Ceremony. Couple will either assign someone to have the rings or hold on their person. For Elopements and Micro Weddings, the Officiant will help orchestrate where the guests will gather and signal the start of the wedding if no Coordinator is present.
STEP 10: Making it Official – Formalities and Follow-Up
After the ceremony, the Officiant, the couple, the photographer and two optional witnesses will gather to sign the Marriage Licenses. You reconfirm with the Officiant if you’d like her to file your license. You will be presented with a SafeKeep copy of your ceremony. You will receive a post-wedding email from your Officiant a week following your big day confirming your license has been filed. The email will include the final copy of your ceremony and a request for any feedback and a couple photos.
Time to Celebrate!
FAQ
QUESTIONS FOR SUMMIT CELEBRANT
+ How do we get started?
See Getting Started.
+ How do we reserve our date?
Fill out a Booking Form here.
+ Do we have to put down a deposit?
Yes, to reserve your date a payment is necessary. Typically a 50% deposit is required at the time of booking. For Elopement + Micro Packages when booking with in 3 months of your ceremony date, full payment is due. For Classic and Full Monty Packages if booking within 6 months of your wedding date, full payment is due at the time of booking.
+ What if we book within 30 days of our wedding date?
Full payment is due at the time of booking via PayPal or check.
+ When is our balance due?
For Elopement + Micro Packages, your remaining balance is due 30 days prior to your wedding date. For Classic and Full Monty Packages, your balance is due 6 months prior to your wedding date. If you book within 6 months of your wedding date, full payment is due at the time of booking.
+ Are gratuities customary for an Officiant?
Like many services, tips are not required but greatly appreciated.
+ What if some of the wedding details change or we require more time with our Officiant than outlined in our contract?
The circumstances will be assessed and some additional fees may be required.
+ What if my Officiant has an unforeseen emergency?
I have a team of amazing local Officiants who are familiar with my style of writing and will use your pre-approved script.
+ Travel Fees:
Travel within Summit County is included in your package. For Backcountry and Ski Resort Weddings and weddings beyond Summit County, additional travel fees will apply at $50/hour.
+ If our package doesn’t include any in-person meetings, can we still call you?
Yes, feel free to pick up the phone for any short questions.
+ What if we need to Cancel?
For cancellations 12+ more months out of your ceremony date, a refund will be issued minus a 25% booking fee off the total fees. Cancellations made 6 months out will recieve a refund of 50% of the total fees. For all other cancellations, couples will forfeit any payments made unless your date can be rebooked. If your date can be rebooked, you can recieve a reimbursment up to 50% of the of the total fees paid. All cancellations must be made in writing via email to summitcelebrant@gmail.com.
FAQ
QUESTIONS FOR THE COUPLE
+ Did you rent Microphone Equipment?
For the classic and Full Monty Ceremonies, please reserve a lapel mic through your band or DJ and a handheld microphone on a stand if any guests will be speaking during the ceremony.
+ Do you have a Day-Of Coordinator?
For the Micro, Classic and Full Monty, it is extremely valuable to have at least one person overseeing the details of your wedding day. See Preferred Vendors List.
+ Do you need a wedding rehearsal?
It is highly recommended for the Classic and Full Monty Weddings where there are a lot of moving parts, pieces and people.
+ Do you want to write your own vows?
If so, great! If you need help with writing, editing or getting the processing going please note this in your booking form.
+ Do you have a backup plan?
It is highly recommended to identify and reserve a backup location in case of inclement weather where having the weather outdoors is no longer comfortable or safe for you and your guests.
“Leslie, thank you so much for leading a yoga class for my bachelorette weekend. The time we had was truly a highlight of the weekend. The practice was absolutely perfect and the theme of relationships and community was so touching. Thank you again.”
Carbondale, August, 2019
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