I am an ordained Minister through the Universal Life Church and, I was a wedding planner for many years. I performed my very first wedding as an ordained wedding officiant in 2016.  I’m a professional writer, I have been in theatre for 30 years and I have been married to the love of my life for 20 years.

My ceremonies are inclusive and LGBTQ friendly! They include a range of wedding and elopement ceremonies from romantic, spiritual, interfaith ceremonies, non-religious ceremonies to non-denominational, Pagan, Agnostic, Earth-based, and Unitarian couples, vow renewals, and more. I have officiated hundreds of weddings: Simple, Elegant, Spiritual, Intimate, Fun or Over the Top and all unique!

If you want choices, consider meeting with, and making a commitment to an Officiant as soon as you know your wedding date and have booked your venue. The details of your wedding ceremony can always be worked out closer to your wedding. I have couples who have booked me as far out as two years, especially for Destination Weddings with guests coming from other states and countries. With that being said, if we have availability, we can also perform a simple ceremony with little or no notice.

Sometimes our couples tell us horror stories about how uncomfortable their close friend’s wedding ceremony was.  The reason?  They chose a friend or family member or an officiant with little experience.  We’ve heard things like:

• “My cousin said that their friend copied and pasted a ceremony off the web. It was so obvious, the ceremony was boring and impersonal.”
• “The guy acted like he had never done this before…”  “He didn’t make any sense.  It was long and rambling.  We were so lost.”
• “The ceremony was only three minutes long!  My sister was so upset!  If felt like she didn’t even get married.”

Emergencies do arise in every profession, and an officiant is not exempt.  If by some reason (hasn’t happened yet) I am unable to perform your wedding, I have other officiants that I am associated with, that I love and I also have my husband and son that are wedding professionals that are ordained and can perform my ceremony if needed. 

You will be asked to approve and sign an online contract that confirms the booking details and provides all pertinent information regarding the event. This protects everyone concerned.

A non-refundable, but transferable, 50% retainer fee is required at the time of booking. This reserves me for your date. You can pay online with a debit or credit card, check, cash or Zelle.

Your remaining balance is due two weeks before the wedding date.

Your wedding ceremony is created just for you and the processions, readings, music, and unity ceremonies really dictate how long the ceremony will be. My ceremonies are never longer than 30 minutes, and most are 15-25 minutes. 

To obtain your California Marriage License, you must go to any California County Clerk’s Office together with valid photo identification Monday-Friday. Many Counties will allow you to fill out your application online and set an appointment. 

Once you have the license, take care of it and keep it safe. Be sure to bring the license to the wedding ceremony. After the ceremony I will be sure that the witnesses sign it. I will then complete the form with my credential information and sign it as well. It is the officiant’s legal obligation to submit the license back to the same County Clerk where it was issued, within ten days. .

Yes, we have a discount if either of you is Active duty Military. 

Definitely!!! We have done destination weddings and elopements all over the Pacific Northwest and many other  parts of the country.  Heidi is able to perform weddings in 40 states.

Yes, you need at least one witness for your ceremony but you can have two, and they should be over 18 and be able to see and write well enough for a legal document. However, California also has a confidential marriage license which does not require any witnesses.

The truth is that I almost never go to rehearsals. It’s really just for the couple and the wedding party to know where to stand and who to walk with. The officiant just stands at the altar and watches, so there is really nothing to rehearse. Usually, the actual wedding ceremony isn’t rehearsed (it’s a surprise), although you should practice the kiss, you should hold it for 3 seconds so your photographer gets a good photo! If you or your coodinator really needs me to be there and I am available, my fee for attending is $175.

Since the reservation fee reserves your wedding date and time for you only, the initial deposit is always transferable. If you reschedule your wedding to a date and time that we are available, we will apply the deposit to the new agreement. If you cancel your wedding altogether, there is no balance due beyond the initial deposit.

Okay, I may be biased but I think my husband, Alan Merrigan, is amazing. He is friendly, an international award-winning wedding photographer, and always makes sure my couples have fun and he captures all of their favorite memories of their wedding day! There is no requirement that we work together but I share your ceremony with him and I make sure he can get the best photos during your ceremony!