About Weddings and Unions

We call upon religious and spiritual leaders throughout our lives to help mark and celebrate passages as we go. When a family, couple or individual comes to me for such a celebration we first spend time coming to a common understanding of the meaning of the ceremony. Then I listen, learning about their lives and relationships so that the ceremony becomes a celebration of a very particular person or relationship.

As a minister in the Unitarian Universalist tradition, there is no religious test required for me to work with you on planning a wedding or union ceremony. Couples with different (or no) faiths and backgrounds who seek a meaningful and reverent ceremony are welcome.

I usually meet with a couple three times prior to the ceremony. I like to work closely with a couple, getting to know you and planning the ceremony together so that it is truly personal and reflects your relationship, values, and dreams. We'll use the three meetings to explore your relationship and expectations and to plan the details of ceremony.

Fees and Policies
50% of the ministerial fee is required to hold the date of your ceremony in my schedule. After the 1st meeting, this fee is not refundable except in extraordinary circumstances. The remaining fee plus mileage is due before the day of the ceremony.
· Fee for ceremony plus planning meetings: $350
· Fee for signing the marriage license: $50 This fee is donated to the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Freedom to Marry fund which works to promote marriage equality for same-gender couples.
· Fee for separate day rehearsal: $50
· Mileage for out-of-town (more than 20 miles from Kalamazoo) ceremonies is 58.5c/mile (2008)
Fees may be reduced in the case of financial need or very simple weddings. Then, 10% of the total cost of the wedding will be my fee. Please speak with me.