Weddings to Remember

Serves Scottsdale, AZ

35244

Hired 793 times

2 employees

23 years in business

$175

5.0

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Credit card, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.

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Credentials

Background Check

Joe Cooperrider
Completed on 5/17/2021

Introduction

We are in San Tan Valley so there may be additional charges for mileage depending on location. I try to do everything possible for my couples. I will do WHATEVER they need to make this their perfect day. I follow up during the entire process and end up staying in touch with many of couples even after the wedding. I did a ceremony for a couple recently who asked if I could do the wedding ceremony from The Princess Bride. I was happy to do it! It took away all stress from the couple. I have now done that ceremony about a dozen times and one recently wearing the pontiff hat that the couple supplied! I have also officiated over a dozen weddings in correctional facilities in Florence, Eloy and Douglas AZ. I also do a lot of last-minute ceremonies. I have officiated weddings with less than an hour notice on more than one occasion as well as commitment ceremonies if the couple don't want to get a marriage license. What I really like about my job is pretty much everything! I enjoy meeting people, getting to know them and many times their families and giving them the best possible ceremony that I can. I tell my couples that my job is to make their wedding as stress free and perfect as possible no matter what that takes.

Q&A

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?

We try to be competitive with our pricing. If we price too high, we never get leads. If we don't price high enough, customers do think we have experience. I always give discounts to military and first responders. For us, it's less about the price and more about making the couple happy.

What is your typical process for working with a new customer?

I ALWAYS prefer to meet in person whenever possible. I have had couple in the past try to book me over the phone and I really don't want to do that. A wedding is a personal thing. Even if the couple isn't local, I try to at least do a Zoom call.

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

I'm always doing research on the web especially for unique ceremonies like Persian and The Princess Bride. We started in 2003 and have officiated well over 1000 weddings.

How did you get started doing this type of work?

Some friends were getting married and asked if I would officiate their wedding. It was my first and I was a little nervous but got through it. Several months later, I officiated a wedding for the father of the bride of my first wedding. I would officiate a few weddings a year until I realized that I really enjoyed doing it so I started promoting myself more. It starting growing from there to the point that my wife started officiating as well as playing music for weddings. We have now officiated well over 1000 weddings!

What types of customers have you worked with?

Anything from very small (5 people) elopement ceremonies to large groups (300+). Most fall within the 100 to 150 quests. My wife is also an officiant so if you are more comfortable with a female officiant, we are more than happy to accommodate you. Even though was are based in San Tan Valley, we travel pretty much everywhere from weddings in Tucson to as far as a wedding in Buckeye. It seems like we're typically travelling 75+ miles. In addition, we work with an amazing photographer who gives my couples excellent rates. You won't be disappointed.

Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?

I still go back to the Princess Bride ceremony. I have now officiated that fifteen times and every time, about half the guests laugh and the other half are wondering what I'm doing. The first time I did it, the bride's grandmother came over after the ceremony and said, "When you started talking, I thought is that really the way he talks. He sounds like Elmer Fudd".

What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

Do your homework! Don't select anyone on price alone! This is a one time thing for many couples and you want it to be perfect. Interview all potential vendors before making any decisions. Make sure that the personalities are a good match. Read reviews and/or ask for testimonials. Anyone who has been doing business for a while should have reviews and testimonials available on request. ALWAYS get a contract with your vendors. If the vendor doesn't have a contract, keep looking. It's important for all involved.

What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?

In my case, they should be thinking: 1. What type of ceremony do I want (religious, non-religous, etc)? 2. What unity ceremonies? 3. How long have you been officiating weddings? 4. How many weddings have you officiated? 5. How long do you want the ceremony to be? Hard to believe but 15-20 minutes is about average these days. I'm officiated wedding as short as a couple of minutes to about 45 minutes.