Sunrise Chapel Des Moines

Serves Marion, IA

35244

Hired 201 times

1 employee

11 years in business

$145

5.0

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Credit card, and Square cash app.

Next Service

Hours

Sun Closed

Mon 7:00 am - 9:00 pm

Tues 7:00 am - 9:00 pm

Wed 7:00 am - 9:00 pm

Thurs 7:00 am - 9:00 pm

Fri 7:00 am - 9:00 pm

Sat 7:00 am - 9:00 pm

Credentials

Background Check

Susan Kuehl
Completed on 6/22/2021

Introduction

The small backyard chapel is open on select dates. Offsite officiating is available as before as well. Hello and congratulations on your engagement, I have officiated since 2014 for ceremonies both large and small, these have taken me to all corners of Iowa and beyond. My goal is that the couple wishing to have a wedding ceremony that is intimate, and focuses on the marriage itself, and that doesn't break the bank. The fees for marriages and vow renewals, commitment ceremonies, ceremony fees start at $145.00 and increase with distance to a maximum of $195.00 to the borders of Iowa. Rehearsals are an additional fee. Mon-Thurs (Des Moines area only) ceremonies are $80.00. I do offer senior discounts also veteran discounts, both active and retired. Covid was a challenging time for all of us especially for couples planning their weddings sometime having to reschedule more than once, but I want to assure my couples and any couples of the future, that although the threat of Covid has diminished greatly, I still take safety and security of any of my couples very seriously. You are always welcome to wear masks or anything that will make you feel safe and secure. The ultimate goal is to create a happy and safe day for you the bride, groom and guests. Creating and working with a couple to enable them to have a wedding ceremony that will make them both happy. It is their day and should be performed exactly as they wish and it is my goal to see that it is that way for the couple from the vows to the price charged

Q&A

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

The pricing varies depending on the location, prices increase with distance traveled, if there are discounts in place, ex; military, senior. I do price rehearsal fees separately as many couples do have a change in plans on rehearsals.

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

Responding to a customer (bride and groom) request for an officiant to determine what they are looking for in a ceremony; non denominational, non religious etc, offering them a price that includes; preparing and performing the ceremony, unlimited communication, offering a sample draft of their ceremony, traveling to their venue and handling their license post ceremony. Rehearsals (desired by the couple) are priced separately.

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

No not really, just communicating with others in the profession, such as wedding consultants, florists that serve the wedding industry. Also I don't hesitate to consult with any religious leaders if appropriate for couples requesting particular religious excerpts in the ceremony. I guess "on the job" would the best way to describe it.

How did you get started doing this type of work?

I like many people have attended many weddings through out the years and I became increasingly aware that I wanted to offer a service and venue where couples could go to exchange their vows in a more simpler way if desired without all the pomp and expense that goes with a larger more elaborate ceremony and yet still be intimate and meaningful.

What types of customers have you worked with?

I have been so fortunate to officiate for couples of all age groups, all walks of life and all religious beliefs.

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

Although they are all very special, the one in particular that resonated with me was a ceremony at the grave of a child that died at birth, this place was sacred to this couple and they wished to take their vows in the cemetery at the grave site and that is exactly what we did.

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

Look for sincerity in an officiant, reasonable pricing and who has the basic concept of where the priority and focus should be in a couples marriage and wedding ceremony. An officiant who is adaptable and sees the ceremony as being the couples and works with them to see that the ceremony reflects who they are. There should never be a mandatory ceremony or one that is so rigid that it fails to see the vision that the couple has.

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

In regards to the officiant, couples should consider 1) think through their budget and ask concrete details on the officiant fee, 2) how flexible/adaptable he/she is regarding the type of ceremony they want, 3) how many ceremonies he/she has officiated (how long they have been officiating).