Reverend Joy Weddings

Serves La Canada Flintridge, CA

35244

Hired 49 times

1 employee

14 years in business

$325

4.8

This pro accepts payments via Check and Venmo.

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Credentials

Background Check

Gary H Shapiro
Completed on 4/29/2021

Introduction

Make your wedding a memorable and joyous experience that deeply reflects who you are, and the love and dreams you share with each other. As a wedding officiant who is also an ordained interfaith minister, I work with couples of all faiths and beliefs, to design and perform wedding ceremonies that can be either spiritual, religious, humanistic-secular, nature-based, or other themes, including mixed-faith relationships - whatever the couple experiences as true for themselves. Your wedding ceremony can be very elegant and elaborate, or very simple, or anywhere in between depending on your wishes. The actual content of the ceremony comes from our discussions. We can be as creative as you like! Soy bilingüe. Puedo realizar la ceremonia en español o inglés o ambos. My services as a wedding officiant include the following: - Initial introductory conversation and ceremony overview - In-depth initial meeting with couple to discuss wedding logistics, details of ceremony, personal faith and beliefs, the joys and challenges of your relationship, marriage beliefs and goals. - Design and creation of ceremony. - Completion and mailing of your marriage license - Performing ceremony Apart from wedding preparation and officiating, I offer premarital assessment and counseling for couples to address special issues and challenges, or, if no specific challenges. KI offer preventative experiential education workshops on topics including mindfulness and awareness, communication and conflict resolution, finding individual and couple purpose, and navigating life changes. My fee range for wedding preparation and officiating is $325 - $425, depending on the time, travel, and complexity involved. I officiate weddings all over New England and eastern NY State during the months May-October, and in North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee during the months November-April. 50% deposit is required at time of signing of written agreement which spells out all commitments by me and you. The balance is due on the day of the wedding. I am glad to answer any questions that you have. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Best wishes, Reverend Joy (Rev. Gary Shapiro)

Q&A

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

Price is based on time, travel, and complexities involved. Discounts are available if affordability is an issue.

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

Initial introductory phone call fill out questionnaire thorough discussion to get to know who you are, how you envision your marriage and what you would like for ceremony to include

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

Two years study at Interfaith Seminary seven years experience designing and officiating weddings

How did you get started doing this type of work?

The first wedding I designed was actually my own, because I felt it was important to personalize the ceremony to make sure it reflected the values, beliefs, experience, and persona of each of us. My ministerial training gave me a wide range of tools, rituals, and ideas to help custom tailor each weddings, and to address various needs and concerns of the wedding couple. My first wedding was a couple from Texas that decided on a destination wedding in Vermont From the beginning, it has felt like a natural fit to be officiating weddings.

What types of customers have you worked with?

Ages ranging from 19 to 75 Opposite and same-sex couples First and second marriages

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

Know yourselves and each other, and what you are looking for. Be clear about what is a "must-have" versus what is a preference. Consult with whomever you trust, but the final decisions should be yours, free from pressure.