Why do Officiants charge so much for a half an hour of work?

(Please keep in mind that most Justice of the Peace collect a salary plus receive an honorarium. ..an Officiant does not. Our fee is our income.)

It takes an average of 10 hours of work per ceremony:
- consultations
- scheduling
- emails, phone calls
- a lot of chasing brides to get ceremony, vow & reading choices
(sometimes this alone takes months)
- sometimes research for a particular ceremony
(definitely the benefit of tons of research over the years + education / training)
- ceremony prep, proof-reads, approvals, updates, modifications, last minute changes, re-approvals
- ceremony practice time
- travel time + mileage to & from rehearsal
- waiting before rehearsal
- co-ordinating rehearsal
- travel time + mileage to & from wedding
- waiting before ceremony
- performing ceremony
- sometimes mingling after ceremony
- paperwork, paperwork... paperwork. ..overhead costs (including advertizing)
- (not to mention the time lost with their own significant others on the weekends,..usually Friday night & part of Saturday, when significant others are at home)

Average 10 - 15hrs per ceremony

Here's the most important part:
Your Officiant/Minister is a licensed professional without which there would be no marriage.
It is the least expensive cost in the typical wedding, yet the only part that is really required.
You can have a wedding without flowers or centerpieces.
You can't have a legal marriage without an Officiant.

Be careful where you cut your corners! :)

Where are you located?

My home is in the east Houston area in Jacinto City, approximately 10 minutes from downtown Houston.

How far will you travel to officiate my ceremony?

I will generally travel to within 100 miles of my home, but I am willing to occasionally
make exceptions. Please contact me for details.

Will we need a license to be married?

Yes, you will. The State of Texas requires that a marriage license be obtained from the County Clerk's office within the county in which you will be married. License must be issued within 72 hours prior to your wedding ceremony. Your wedding must be performed within 30 days of issuance of the license.

 Will you help us to find the right ceremony that will suit our needs, yet reflect our sincerity?

I would be pleased to help formulate the perfect ceremony that will reflect your
innermost feelings for each other. I have many ceremonies to choose from, Religious, Non- Religious or Spiritual, that we may together customize with Scripture, Poetry, Vows, Readings and Ring Vows into any combination that you wish.

 

Do you perform same sex marriages?

Same sex marriages are not legal in the State of Texas. I will however perform a Holy Union Ceremony or Commitment Ceremony for loving same-sex couples.

 

Do you participate in the rehearsal?

If you wish. I feel that a rehearsal is advisable, but not a requirement.

 If we decide to use your services, how do we begin?

You may contact me by phone, Mon.- Sat. 11:00am. until 9:00pm. or by email anytime.

Rev. Tony "Scott" Dowlearn II
Phone: 832-882-1875
Email: Rev.ScottDowlearn@gmail.com

What are your credentials?

I am a Christian Inter-Faith Minister, ordained by The United New Testament Church (formerly Trinity Evangelical Christian Ministries) headquartered in Harvest, AL . I am authorized to perform wedding ceremonies in all of the United States that recognize ordained members of clergy as officiants.

Title: Reverend

Board Certified Christian Counselor

Member of:

American Association of Wedding Officiants

National Christian Counselors Association

Texas Association of Wedding Officiants

Twogether In Texas