Questions & Answers

• What makes you different from other local wedding officiants? Why should someone hire you? We are very flexible and and accommodating to the wedding needs of the couple for them to create their ceremony. Most of the ceremonies we perform are Non-Denominational. This is regardless of background, faith, or lifestyle. Everyone is welcome. Ceremonies are performed in a style and manner that is comfortable and meaningful for all couples. We travel to your Ceremony site. 90% of the weddings we officiate for couples are non-denominational. We can also offer Communion at the ceremony. We welcome your input to help create your very own personalized ceremony. It's your wedding and it's your "BIG DAY". Please go to The Saint Patrick Abbey web-site at: www.saintpatrickabbey.org. Click on Enter...this will bring you to the home page. Please consider our services as a resource, for your wedding officiant. You will be happy! .

• What are your standard payment terms? All registration documents and fees are due to register, confirm, and lock-in your date with the St. Patrick Abbey Administration Office. All required documents and fees must be paid and sent to the St. Patrick Abbey Administration Office ASAP. Otherwise the Administration Office may book other couple’s ceremony requests for the same day and time requested by you. This is a contract between you and St. Patrick Abbey. Once you request and contract the Abbey for an officiant to perform your ceremony on the date and time requested by you the Abbey will register your request and the Terms and Conditions of this contract are in effect and will confirm the date and time for your Ceremony, once all your required documents and all fees have been sent to the Administration Office..

• What is your customer satisfication cancellation policy? Any applicable fees may be refunded except one-hundred dollars ($100.00) for administration time and costs in preplanning and booking any couples Ceremony by staff in the Administration Office. This cancellation clause allows a refund to be paid to you up to ninety (90) calendar days before your Ceremony. YOU ARE TO NOTIFY THE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE IN WRITING OF SUCH A CANCELLATION. Failure to do so forfeits any refund rights otherwise paid to you. If your written notification of cancellation to the Administration Office is less then ninety (90) calendar days before your Ceremony date, no refund applies. .

• What is your event cancellation policy? Any applicable fees may be refunded except one-hundred dollars ($100.00) for administration time and costs in preplanning and booking any couples Ceremony by staff in the Administration Office. This cancellation clause allows a refund to be paid to you up to ninety (90) calendar days before your Ceremony. YOU ARE TO NOTIFY THE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE IN WRITING OF SUCH A CANCELLATION. Failure to do so forfeits any refund rights otherwise paid to you. If your written notification of cancellation to the Administration Office is less then ninety (90) calendar days before your Ceremony date, no refund applies. .

• How far are you willing to travel? Is there a travel fee? We travel to the wedding ceremony site. Due to the high cost of fuel, there MAYBE an additional travel fee (call the office for details). All travel fees are figured by “Mapquest.com”. Over-night lodging, if needed is the financial obligation of the couple. Complimentary pre-paid over-night lodging at a hotel/motel must be provided for the officiant and Sub-Deacon, if applicable (1 room /2 beds) if they are driving over three hours each way to and from your ceremony and/or rehearsal..

• How many wedding do you officiate a year? Any where from 30-60 Ceremonies.

• What kind of pre-wedding counseling is required, if any? We don't require any pre-wedding counseling, except for a separate short statement from each (1-2 pages) stating why you want to marry each other. .

• How long after the ceremony do you file for the official marriage license? We send/file the registeration to the State/County within a day or two after the Ceremony. It is safe to say that you can get your original marriage license from the State/County two weeks after your Ceremony.

• What documents do I need to bring to our first meeting? Most of documents are handled electronically. Depending on distance and schedules, a meeting can be done by telephone or face to face. If you would like or if you feel that it is needed we can schedule a pre-wedding meeting. Please let us know if you desire to do this. We let it up to the couple..

• Will you marry couples of different faiths or previous divorce? Yes.

• How long does the ceremony usually last? Anywhere from 15-50 minutes, depending on what the couple wants in the Ceremony..

• Do you normally attend the reception? Yes, if invited. It is always proper to invite the officiant and assistant to the reception. Let the officiants decide if they can attend..

• Do you have a back up officiant on call, in case of an emergency? Yes.

• Will you allow us to write our own vows? Yes.

• Can we read or hear your ceremony before our wedding day? Yes! There are several samples on the web-site custom designed to the couples wishes. The couple can actually create own personal ceremony with our help and guidance..

• In which states and communities are you licensed to officiate ceremonies? VA, MD, DC, WV, PA, DE, NC and many others..

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