Sacred Ties - Rev. Sharon Potts Carroll

My fee is $150. The fee covers all consultations, wedding ceremony, mileage, and a $50.00 non-refundable booking fee that is due when I am hired. The date is not confirmed until this deposit is received. The balance is due the day before the wedding. If there is a rehearsal, there is an additional fee of $50. There is an additional $25 fee for events scheduled during special community events (including but not limited to Mardi Gras, Superbowl, etc). All fees may be paid for by Square Cash App, Zelle, PayPal, Venmo, money order, check or cash.

Meeting in person is preferred, but due to covid-19 and/or distance the consultation(s) can be done by phone, Zoom or Skype. I get to know something about the couple and their wishes for the ceremony. I work with the couple, and the wedding coordinator, if they have one, to make sure the ceremony includes the vows and other elements that are important to them.

Master of Divinity, post-graduate education in pastoral care, and experience in conducting weddings. Ordained June 30, 1996.

As a hospital chaplain I was occasionally asked to officiate weddings, which I enjoyed. Others were referred to me, and things expanded from there.

I have worked with couples with a variety ceremony requests--religious, non-religious, large and small. I also conduct weddings for same sex couples, and participate with other ministers in interfaith wedding ceremonies. Some long-married couples have chosen to do vow renewals. The focus is always on personalizing the ceremony to express the love and commitment of the couple.

I had the privilege of officiating the ceremony of one couple who asked me to do premarital counseling with them, which I did. It was a joy to work with them and then conduct their lovely ceremony.

Here in the New Orleans area we have many destination weddings. When the couple is coming from out-of-state I make sure they are aware of the legal requirements in Louisiana. Due to our changeable weather, I advise couples planning an outdoor wedding to have a backup plan in case of rain. When choosing a venue, awareness of special events in the area is important. The wedding party and invited guests may have trouble negotiating access to the venue if they have to compete with a festival, race, game, parade, etc., which happen with great frequency in New Orleans. There is always a party going on somewhere!

It is helpful for the couple to have some basic ideas about what they want in their wedding. However, it is not necessary for our initial consultation. Plans can develop as we work together on the ceremony.