Weddings

Ceremonies by Joan provides custom ceremonies at each level of planning. From the simple license signing to the bigger elaborate weddings. She makes sure each experience is meaningful and creates special memories.


LGBTQ+ Friendly

LICENSE SIGNING

Need to get married quickly? Arrange a place to meet and sign your license with an  Officiant to be married ‘on the spot’. Officiant will mail in your license.

ELOPEMENTS / MINI-MICRO WEDDINGS

Elopement

I love the intimacy of an elopement (or minimony) ceremony. Couples choose an elopement ceremony  to avoid the stress of a large scale celebration. In a small elopement, they can focus on creating a deeply meaningful experience in a location of their choice.


In a small elopement ceremony, couples exchange vows, with a few guests or none at all. Most bring a couple of family or friends along to take pictures and sign the license.


Some couples celebrate afterwards with a small gathering or a private dinner. often followed by a larger celebration at a later date.

Micro or Mini-Weddings

Like its name suggests, a micro-wedding is a smaller version of a 'regular' wedding, A mini wedding, often called a micro wedding, is a small-scale celebration that typically includes fewer than 50 guests. These intimate gatherings allow couples to focus on personalization, creating a meaningful experience for themselves and their closest loved ones.


Mini weddings can take place in unique venues, such as restaurants, private homes, or scenic outdoor locations, offering flexibility and creativity in planning. While they are smaller in size, they often maintain the elegance and traditions of a full-scale wedding.


Oftentimes, this means a more thoughtful event with intimate and sentimental details.


Though tiny in guest count, a micro-wedding is still big on style and usually involves a full team of vendors providing decor, flower arrangements, catering, music and photography. You can think of a micro-wedding as something in- between a big, traditional wedding and an elopement.


When you're weighing the choice between an elopement vs. a micro-wedding, think about what's most important to you. If you want the chance to celebrate with your loved ones on the actual day, or if you like most aspects of a traditional wedding—except with fewer people—then a micro-wedding would make sense. If you and your partner would rather skip the process of inviting guests and planning a reception, then an elopement or a minimony could be a better fit.

MACRO WEDDINGS

A macro wedding is a large-scale celebration that typically includes 100 or more guests. These weddings are grand affairs, often held in spacious venues like ballrooms, banquet halls, or luxury resorts.

Macro weddings create a high-energy, festive atmosphere.


Key features of macro weddings include:


  • Expansive guest lists, allowing couples to invite extended family, friends, colleagues, and community members.
  • Elaborate decor, with lavish floral arrangements, lighting, and themed aesthetics.
  • Multiple event segments, such as a formal ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, and after-party.
  • Premium entertainment, including live bands, DJs, and interactive experiences.
  • Formal attire, with black-tie dress codes often expected.

Officiant Services & Prices

  • Initial Consultation – phone or in-person
  • Detailed Ceremony Planning Questionnaire each couple fills out to start the process
  • Two meetings (in-person or virtual). First one to plan the ceremony and second to discuss details days prior to the wedding
  • Resources (choose readings, vows, ring words, joining elements) for elements of your ceremony
  • Unlimited communication
  • A beautiful, personalized custom ceremony
  • Rehearsal (in person or virtual) direction and coordination
  • Coordination with other wedding vendors (musician/D.J, photographer, wedding planner)
  • Professional presentation of wedding ceremony on your special day
  • Information on obtaining marriage license
  • Legal filing of your license after the ceremony


Fully Personalized Ceremony

$950

Creating a memorable ceremony that is ‘like no other’ entails a collaborative effort with your officiant. Your ceremony will be ‘uniquely’ yours, as it includes your words, feelings and relationship/life story.

Additional costs for travel and lodging are included if needed.

Elopement / Mini-Wedding

$600- $950

An Elopement or Mini-Wedding is a ceremony that includes just the couple and perhaps a few guests, whether in the comfort of your own home, middle of a nature preserve or a hotel ballroom. Fees may vary depending on the details of the wedding. Additional costs for travel may be added.

License Signing

$250

Would you like to have your marriage license signed without the formalities of a ceremony? We can discuss a place to meet. Additional costs for travel may be added.

  • Ceremony Planning

    A Ceremony Planning Questionnaire is sent to you once you decide to work with Ceremonies by Joan.  Questions include details about the wedding, questions about your love story and thoughts on love and marriage.


    After completing the questionnaire, a meeting will be scheduled (in person or virtual) to plan your ceremony and get to know each other.  Each couple’s love story and words on love and marriage is beautifully crafted into each ceremony, making it a personal ceremony.


    You and your fiancé are encouraged to be hands-on in the creation process…creating your ideal ceremony.  A good ceremony includes thoughts of the past, ideas of the present and promises for the future. It can include any cultural traditions and beliefs. be traditional or contemporary, religious or non-religious, serious or light and joy-filled. Rev. Joan’s experience in creating ceremonies will help you have a special ceremony and a cherished memory. Your ceremony will be personalized and custom to reflect who you are as a couple.   I will discuss important rituals, selection of vows and ring words and assist you with including interesting elements so your ceremony is a unique representation of the two of you.

  • Writing the Ceremony

    After our planning meeting, the ceremony will be written and sent back for edits and reviews. You will know everything that will be said on your wedding day.

  • Preparing for the Big Day

    A second meeting is planned (in person or virtual) closer to your wedding day to review the details of the ceremony and prepare for the rehearsal and actual ceremony.


    In addition, I am part of the ‘Vendor Team’ giving you stellar service to make sure your special day is perfect.  Prior to your wedding day, I communicate with your other wedding vendors, introducing myself and sending them a ceremony summary with cues that helps us all be on the same ‘page’

” The commitment a couple makes during their wedding ceremony is a sacred moment.

It is my great honor as an officiant to walk alongside two people going through such a special experience. “ 

- Joan Fergus, Celebrant