Were you and your fiance planning to get married in the courthouse, but discovered that there were no open slots for months? Do you plan to have a larger ceremony at a later date, and just need to make it legal? I offer short and simple courthouse-style weddings, at your location.

This style of wedding is very similar to a quick wedding you would have performed at the courthouse, by a judge, or by a justice of the peace.

These are NON-CUSTOM ceremonies include traditional vows & ring vows, as well as a very short reading, and typically last five minutes or less. I have a few ceremony options to chose from, and you’ll get to preview the ceremony, via email, and make any adjustments.  If you are looking to include any ceremony elements or rituals, or would like more customization and personalization, my custom wedding ceremonies are the best option for you.

Afterwards, you will received an unofficial copy of your license (New Jersey weddings only), a copy of your ceremony, and information on how to obtain an official copy of the license. Your wedding license will be in the mail the next business day.

The only thing you’ll need is your wedding license, rings, if you plan to exchange them, and two witnesses (I can provide one witness, based on availability).

I am available for these non-custom weddings, with relatively short notice, most weekdays, and select weekends.  A $100 non-refundable retainer may be required for certain dates.

The fee is based on travel time, date availability, location, and witness requirements, and begin at $150. Please contact me for more information – I can provide you a quote via email or over the phone.

Fees are based on travel time and witness requirements.
Ceremonies in Rutherford or East Rutherford: $150
Ceremonies in Bergen, Essex, Passiac, Union, or Hudson County: $250
Ceremonies in  Morris, Somerset, or Middlesex: $300
Ceremonies in New York City: $350

Additional counties and New York State quoted by request.  Witnesses are an additional $25, and subject to availability.

Quick Wedding Frequently Asked Questions

How far will you travel?
For these weddings, I will travel to your location up to 50 miles away from Rutherford, NJ.  More than 50 miles is not always cost effective for you or me – but you can contact me for a quote if you’d like.

How far in advance should I book you?
I do not book non-custom weddings more than three months in advance, and am usually available with relatively short notice.

What about the legal part?
You are responsible for getting a valid marriage license – contact me for more information, and I can walk you through the whole process.  After we perform the ceremony, I mail the license to the registrar, and will provide you with information on how to obtain an official certified copy. 

Please note: there is a 72 hour (three day) waiting period in New Jersey, and a 24 hour (one day) waiting period in New York after you apply for the license until the time the ceremony can take place.

What is the ceremony like?
In the non-custom ceremony, you can choose your vows, ring vows, a short reading from a selection I offer you, or any additional readings or vows you provide.  It usually takes less than five minutes.  I have options for LESS ceremony if that is something you are looking for – please contact me for additional details.

I created this ceremony option as an alternative to a courthouse ceremony, as I am flexible with my time – you’re not going to find a courthouse open at 8pm on a Thursday!  In addition, I will come to your location, making the process very easy for you.  I often perform these ceremonies in homes, parks, and restaurants.

When are you available for these weddings?
I am flexible with my time, which is why many couples choose me over a courthouse wedding.  I can perform the wedding most weekdays, and possibly weekend mornings and afternoons, if I am available.  I may not be available to perform these weddings Friday or Saturday evenings, April through November, but may be flexible December through March – please contact me to check my availability.

Will I get the official copy of my license after the ceremony?
No.  You will get an unofficial copy of your license.

In New Jersey, you will NOT receive an official certified copy of your license automatically… you’ll need to contact the registrar in the town the ceremony took place in.  Please give them 10 to 12 BUSINESS days to receive and file the license before calling to request the copy (and, yes, it really does take that long).  I mail the license the next business day, but it does take a few days for the registrar to receive and file the license.  If there are any delays or issues, I will contact you.

In New York, you will not receive an unofficial copy post-ceremony, but they will send you a certified copy automatically – but this can take months.  Again, if you need the license sooner, you can contact the registrar where you APPLIED for your license, 10 to 12 BUSINESS days after the wedding has taken place, to discuss getting the official copy ASAP.

Very nice things my non-custom couples have said about me:

I wanted to write to thank you so much for the wonderful ceremony you did for Neal and me. Our families are still talking about it. You did everything exactly as we wanted it and it turned out beautiful, You will definitely be recommended and again – thank you so very much.
-Jen & Neal, married Sept 2010

Thank you so much!  The ceremony was beautiful and perfect.  We woke up this morning and said that even if we had all the money in the world, we really would not have done it differently.  It was exactly how we would have wanted it.  Everyone said that ceremony was amazing and they were amazed by how personal it was and that everything about it was absolutely reflective of us.  I know that you say that it is only slightly more personal than a courthouse service, but that wasn’t the feel of it in the least.  If I know anyone that remotely considers just going to the courthouse, I would strongly advise them to call you instead.  It was simple, the length was right for us, and the setting and vibe just worked and you were a wonderful addition and had the absolute right personality and vibe.
-Chandra & Sender, eloped Aug 2010

Thank you so much, our family could not say enough about how beautiful the ceremony was – we couldn’t have asked for a more heartfelt ceremony.  We loved having you share in our happiness and you made us feel so comfortable.  Our day was a dream come true.
-Denise & Kevin, married Aug 2011