Are they too busy answering a higher calling to answer the phone?

[cara]

Date: 2/15/2008 2:41:46 PM
Author: violet02

Date: 2/14/2008 2:05:37 PM
ULC cost money? I got ordained for free from some other place but my friend is doing ULC. In CA they don''t require you to pay all the money for the certificate to show you are ordained. My friend is performing our ceremony. My only concern is what if said friend and I have a falling out! We''ve had some drama lately....

ULC only cost money because my friend wanted them to MAIL her a pretty certificate that she could hang on her wall!! "Reverend Doctor Suzie Q Officiant" is ordained... Its not required, the State of CA never checked (as far as I know) and our marriage license was accepted. You don''t have to pay.

Lurkers, please note that not all states allow ULC officiants. Its a lot harded to find a cool, non-religious legal officiant some places.

 

[musey]

Date: 2/14/2008 12:59:00 AM
Author:Gypsy

I gotta tell you Registering a friend or family member as our officiant is starting to look REALLY appealing. John''s Uncle or Cousin are this close to getting a request.

We JUST decided on this last night... after meeting with a few officiants and just being blah-ed by them. They were too dull, or too pushy, or too businessy. They all seemed to do it just for some extra cash.

I really think the only way to find an officiant that will me "into it," unless you''re willing to do a huge number of meetings, is to ask a friend or family member. I just asked my cousin''s husband this morning, and he is already so excited. Like night and day between him and the people who do this multiple times per week...

Sorry for the tangent, but as you can tell, I''m a big fan of the friend-or-family route

And by the way, you are NOT being a bridezilla.

 

[musey]

Date: 2/15/2008 2:41:46 PM
Author: violet02

On another note, my wedding planner said officiants don''t like to book out more then 2-3 months before a wedding. If your wedding is further away then that Gypsy that may be part of the problem. I''m not sure if you said you wanted a religious ceremony or not. We''re not doing one personally.

I think this REALLY depends on your area. I was advised to start looking for an officiant ASAP because they start booking up one year in advance. We''re 8 months out and, sure enough, several that we contacted were already spoken for on our date.

 

[violet02]

Date: 2/15/2008 8:44:47 PM
Author: musey

Date: 2/14/2008 12:59:00 AM
Author:Gypsy

I gotta tell you Registering a friend or family member as our officiant is starting to look REALLY appealing. John's Uncle or Cousin are this close to getting a request.

We JUST decided on this last night... after meeting with a few officiants and just being blah-ed by them. They were too dull, or too pushy, or too businessy. They all seemed to do it just for some extra cash.

I really think the only way to find an officiant that will me 'into it,' unless you're willing to do a huge number of meetings, is to ask a friend or family member. I just asked my cousin's husband this morning, and he is already so excited. Like night and day between him and the people who do this multiple times per week...

Sorry for the tangent, but as you can tell, I'm a big fan of the friend-or-family route

And by the way, you are NOT being a bridezilla.

2 of the 3 weddings I attended last year used friends. They were both really nice. I'm planning on using a friend. Officiants around Carmel charge up to $600 bucks, ouch. I'm just concerned about where things will be 9 months from now. He's my best friend but we can get into little tiffs now and then. We're in one now actually. I just hope we work things out before then.

 

[violet02]

Date: 2/15/2008 8:46:31 PM
Author: musey

Date: 2/15/2008 2:41:46 PM
Author: violet02

On another note, my wedding planner said officiants don't like to book out more then 2-3 months before a wedding. If your wedding is further away then that Gypsy that may be part of the problem. I'm not sure if you said you wanted a religious ceremony or not. We're not doing one personally.

I think this REALLY depends on your area. I was advised to start looking for an officiant ASAP because they start booking up one year in advance. We're 8 months out and, sure enough, several that we contacted were already spoken for on our date.

This is definitely true. Since I'm using a friend I'm ok for now. My planner said if something happens to my friend we still have quite a few months to worry about that. Also my 'man of honor' is convinced we have other friends that could do a great job as well in a pinch. The one wedding I attended last year with an officant (non-friend) was nice. a bit long on the speeches... I really liked the personal fun touch of the other weddings with their friends officiating better though.

Also I was incorrect. My planner actually said 3-6 months prior. Not 2-3. So Gypsy you're on track! My wedding is October and she suggested we start meeting with them in April if that's the route I choose over my friend. $600 is such a huge savings for us though. I really don't want to have to hire one. Now on the other hand I REALLY want a harpist, they run $600 as well. I could use a DJ but I just feel like it would be a nice touch. Talk about over budget... yeesh.