Frequently Asked Questions

We want you to perform a ceremony for us. What happens next?
What qualifications do you have?
What happens if you cannot perform my ceremony due to an emergency?
We don't belong to a church but want to get married in one. What do you suggest?
QUESTIONS TO ASK CEREMONY SITE
What is the Ceremony Site Fee?
What actions do I take for changing my name after marriage?
What do you wear during the ceremony?
How long is the ceremony?
What is your fee?
What is the process for getting a marriage license?
What types of ceremonies do you perform?
Where do you perform ceremonies?
Do you know any outdoor sites for a wedding ceremony?
What other services do you provide?
Do you require premarital counseling?
Is a rehearsal necessary?
Is it proper to tip the minister/officiant?
Can we use a credit card to make a deposit for our wedding?
What communities do you serve?

We want you to perform a ceremony for us. What happens next?

You can contact us by telephone at 610 337 1998 or contact us via email: RevPhilipSciscione@msn.com. We will gather information about you and the type of ceremony that you want, and answer any questions that you have about our services. If you like, we can set up a consultation with you where we can talk in depth about your ceremony.
Return to top.

What qualifications do you have?

Including myself, all of my associate wedding officiants are fully licensed in all counties of Pa. They are very experienced and have consistently proved themselves to be the finest officiants around. We guarantee your absolute satisfaction.
Return to top.

What happens if you cannot perform my ceremony due to an emergency?

Once we have agreed to perform your ceremony, we consider this a very sacred trust. I work closely with many different ministers so even in the event of an emergency, we will be able to find someone great to perform your ceremony. In fact, in their emergency situations, other ministers often rely on me. To date, I have never had an emergency situation prevent us from officiating a wedding. The bottom line is that if you book me for your wedding, you will get a beautiful, memorable wedding that you and your family will remember fondly for years to come.
Return to top.

We don't belong to a church but want to get married in one. What do you suggest?

Here are a few contacts but you can research more closer to your area. Search under chapels, churches for wedding ceremony rental sites

http://www.thegardenchurch.org/Wedding_Event_Contract_2_15_06.pdf

http://www.historicpeacechurch.org/Church_Rental.html
Return to top.

QUESTIONS TO ASK CEREMONY SITE

• What is the address of the ceremony site?
• What is the name & phone number of my contact person?
• What dates & times are available?
• Do vows need to be approved?
• What is the ceremony site fee?
• What is the payment policy?
• What is the cancellation policy?
• Does the facility have liability insurance?
• What are the minimum & maximum number of guests allowed?
• What is the denomination, if any, of the facility?
• What restrictions are there with regards to denomination?
• Is an officiant available? At what cost?
• Are outside officiants allowed?
• Are any musical instruments available for our use?
• If so, what is the fee?
• What music restrictions are there, if any?
• What photography restrictions are there, if any?
• What videography restrictions are there, if any?
• Are there are any restrictions for rice or rose petal-tossing?
• Are candlelight ceremonies allowed?
• What floral decorations are available/allowed?
• When is my rehearsal to be scheduled?
• Is there handicap accessibility and parking?
• How many parking spaces are available for my wedding party?
• Where are they located?
• How many parking spaces are available for my guests?
• What rental items are necessary?
Return to top.

What is the Ceremony Site Fee?

The ceremony site fee is the fee to rent a facility for your wedding. In churches, cathedrals, chapels, temples, or synagogues, this fee may include the organist, wedding coordinator, custodian, changing rooms for the bridal party, and miscellaneous items such as kneeling cushions, aisle runner, and candelabra. Be sure to ask what the site fee includes prior to booking a facility. Throughout this book, the word church will be used to refer to the site where the ceremony will take place.

Options: Churches, cathedrals, chapels, temples, synagogues, private homes, gardens, hotels, clubs, halls, parks, museums, yachts, wineries, beaches, and hot air balloons.

Things To Consider: Your selection of a ceremony site will be influenced by the formality of your wedding, the season of the year, the number of guests expected and your religious affiliation. Make sure you ask about restrictions or guidelines regarding photography, videography, music, decorations, candles, and rice or rose petal-tossing. Consider issues such as proximity of the ceremony site to the reception site, parking availability, handicapped accessibility, and time constraints.

Tips To Save Money: Have your ceremony at the same facility as your reception to save a second rental fee. Set a realistic guest list and stick to it. Hire an experienced wedding consultant. At a church or temple, ask if there is another wedding that day and share the cost of floral decorations with that bride. Membership in a church, temple or club can reduce rental fees.
Return to top

What actions do I take for changing my name after marriage?

Social Security has a rule that the bride must file an SS-5 form (a new application form showing change of name and /or marital status) within the fiscal year for tax purposes, (The SS-5 form should be filed, even if you are keeping your own name) along with an original proof of marriage. Social Security may take a while if you rely on the mail, so we always suggest you have another proof on hand. Therefore you may want to request two proofs of marriage. Check with Social Security first, see if you walk it in, will they just look at it and return it to you. Don’t take a day off from work to go to the Motor Vehicle Bureau and any of the other place until you have an original marriage certificate in hand.

Change your name and address if applicable on the following:

1. Driver’s License
2. Car Registration
3. Car Insurance
4. Health Insurance
5. Social Security Records
6. Voter Registration
7. Bank Accounts
8. Credit Cards
9. Will
10. With Your Employer
11. Professional Licenses
12. Passport

Return to top

What do you wear during the ceremony?

We generally wear a minister’s robe over a suit but we can change our attire to suit your preferences. Regarding appearances and every aspect of your ceremony, we strive to make the wedding a joyous occasion and not cause any offense to any guest or to even the bridal couple themselves. Just tell us what is important to you and you will get exactly what you want.
Return to top

How long is the ceremony?

Most ceremonies are between 15-30 minutes, depending on what the couple wants to include in the ceremony. The length of the ceremony is totally up to you. It should be only as long as you want it to be. The length depends on many variables including: will someone read a poem or sing; how many people in the bridal party processing in and out etc. You are not charged based on the length of your ceremony.
Return to top

What is your fee?

There are many variables for every wedding such as location, date, time and complexity of the ceremony. If you email or call us with the particulars of your wedding, we will be able to tell you the fee amount.
Return to top

What is the process for getting a marriage license?

The rules for getting a marriage license depend upon the state you will be married in. Here is a website that provides information for all states of the U.S., and also provides a list of the county offices where you can go to apply for your license: www.usmarriagelaws.com.
Return to top

What types of ceremonies do you perform?

See Types of Ceremonies. We have done almost every kind of ceremony that you can think of: Traditional, alternative, non-denominational, interfaith, Christian, religious, spiritual, civil, second marriages, vow renewals and more. We will customize your wedding to be exactly what you want it to be. You will not be disappointed.
Return to top

Where do you perform ceremonies?

We are willing to travel anywhere. No matter where you wedding is, we can help you have a great ceremony. We can officate weddings wherever you are getting married, including churches, reception halls, parks, outdoors, or even at your home. Most of the time, the ceremony is held right at the reception site.
Return to top

Do you know any outdoor sites for a wedding ceremony?

Yes. Over the years we have performed many ceremonies in parks, gardens, town gazebos, and river and ocean fronts. We would be happy to recommend some of our favorite sites depending on the size of the wedding and the location relative to where the guests are coming from. Since it is impossible to predict the weather, we recommend that an alternate place be picked in case of inclement weather on the wedding day. The invitations should specify the outdoor location and the alternate location in case of rain.
Return to top

What other services do you provide?

We are ordained ministers that offer a full spectrum of ministerial services such as:

• Counseling
• Vow Renewals
• Commitment Ceremonies
• Baby blessings
• Funeral/Cremation ceremonies performed at the funeral home and/or at the gravesite.
• Speaking Engagements

Return to top

Do you require premarital counseling?

No, we do not require premarital counseling. You and your partner are adults and your choices in such matters are strictly your own. However, many of our ministers offer premarital counseling and if you would like suggestions or advice for pre-marital counseling, we are happy to provide resources and help you any way we can.
Return to top

Is a rehearsal necessary?

Couples have different feelings on this issue. Most couples find that a rehearsal is not necessary as long as the minister/officiant is experienced, knowledgeable and prepared (which, of course, we are). Other couples choose to rehearse, but do it without the minister/officiant since the minister/officiant knows their part and the couple just wants to familiarize the wedding party with the wedding site and their part in the ceremony. Another option that saves money for the couple if they are intent on a rehearsal is to do a short rehearsal a half-hour before the ceremony begins. To add to your comfort level, consider the following:

• We make sure we arrive early to the wedding site, usually one hour before the wedding begins, so that we can go over anything which needs to be addressed.
• We have the entire wedding script in front of us during the wedding ceremony, all of which you pre-approve weeks or months in advance so that there are no last minute surprises.
• We have performed hundreds of weddings in a year so we get plenty of rehearsal officiating in front of a live audience.
• Not having a separate-day rehearsal keeps the cost down for you since we don’t have to travel twice to the wedding location.

Keep in mind that we have never had an unhappy wedding couple. We put our heart and soul into each wedding ceremony and personally make it our highest priority to make each one great. We can assure you that you and your guests will absolutely love the wedding ceremony. We totally guarantee it.
Return to top

Is it proper to tip the minister/officiant?

Though it is not necessary to tip the minister/officiant, if you feel you have received wonderful service and an amazing ceremony and wish to express your gratitude, feel free to do so. All of our ministers donate a portion of their income to charity so your generosity helps the minister/officiant as well as worthy charitable causes. It is one more way we try to inject some more tender loving care into the world.
Return to top

Can we use a credit card to make a deposit for our wedding?

Because many couples have asked if they can use a credit card to reserve their wedding date, we have made this option possible. If you would like to do so, you can contact me to discuss how. (Please note that your wedding date is reserved only upon written confirmation from myself or one of our ministers which is normally sent within 24 hours.)
Return to top

What communities do you serve?

I live in King of Prussia Pa and will travel up to 100 miles away. I also have many associated wedding officiants at various locations and most likely have one near you. I will travel to whatever distant wedding site you choose just ask to discuss travel accomadations. Kindly click below and we will send you a free personalized wedding package, which includes information about fees, locations, availability, ceremony options and more. Click here for list of the locations served.
Return to top

 

----------------------------------------