Wedding Ceremony FAQs
Question 1: Will you travel to my wedding location and do you charge extra for it?
My fee includes travel, for both the rehearsal and wedding anywhere in Pinellas, Pasco, or Hillsborough county. There are no extra fees. The price you see is what you’ll pay. If you want me to officiate your wedding anywhere else, just let me know where the wedding venue is going to be and we’ll give you a quote.
Question 2: What if you’re sick on the day of my wedding?
This has never happened, but I do have licensed and experienced colleagues who I know would be happy to take my place and will knock your ceremony out of the park as well as I would. Your ceremony will already be completely prepared by me, of course. All they have to do is step in and perform your wedding ceremony based on the love story that you and I have already created together.
Question 3: What if our wedding venue doesn’t allow a rehearsal?
I highly recommend having a rehearsal so everyone is prepared for the big day and already knows what to do and where to go when the time comes. That’s why I include it in my services! Don’t worry if your venue is not available for the rehearsal! All we need is a space where we can practice standing in a line and walking down a mock aisle. We can do this just about anywhere like a city park, a living room, a party room, or even a restaurant. Our goal is to make sure everyone is as relaxed as possible on your special wedding day. Rehearsing beforehand – no matter where we do it – will go a long way towards giving everyone the confidence they need to perform their very best.
Question 4: How and when do I pay for your wedding services?
We’ll schedule a time to chat about what you want in your wedding ceremony at no charge to you. If you decide to book me, I’ll send you a link to the online payment portal or your choice (Paypal, Venmo, Zelle, Cashapp, etc). You can even pay by credit card if you like. All I ask for upfront is a 50% booking deposit as a retainer to save the date and time you want. Then you can send me the remaining 50% after you have the draft of your ceremony script and it’s almost complete. Then I’ll finish building out your story, we’ll edit it along with you so you can suggest changes, and we’ll reach out to your friends and family for some final input for the finishing touches.
Question 5: Do we apply for our marriage license or do you?
Florida requires the couple to show up in person at the County Clerk’s to apply for a marriage license. You and your fiancee cannot apply absentee, by proxy, or through power of attorney. You can fill out the application online (for Pinellas and Pasco counties) and print it off to take in with you. You’ll need to show ID and provide basic personal information like name, date of birth, social security number, marital history, etc, as well as pay a license fee. You won’t have to take a blood test in the state of Florida. Once you have the marriage license in hand, you can give it to me and I’ll take care of everything for you from there. Here are some links to help you.
- Pinellas County, Florida – Marriage License Requirements and Marriage Certificate Application
- Pasco County, Florida – Marriage License Requirements and Marriage Certificate Application
- Hillsborough County, Florida – Marriage License Requirements and Marriage Certificate Application
Question 6: When Will I Get My Marriage License And How Long is It Good For?
You will receive your marriage license immediately when you apply, but if you are a Florida resident, you’ll have to wait three days to tie the knot. Although the waiting period can be waived if you have completed a premarital counseling course or by asking a county judge to overturn the waiting period. Your marriage license is good for up to 90 days.
Question 7: Do I Have To Apply In The County Where I Get Married And Do I Have To Be A Florida Resident?
No, there are no residency requirements to get a Florida marriage license, and it’s good anywhere in the state of Florida. So, you can apply for a marriage license in one county but get married in another. However, your license must be returned to the Clerk in the county where it was applied for.
Question 8: How Much Does A Marriage License Cost In Florida?
Check with your county clerk to find out the current fees, but as of the last time I checked, they ran between $80 – $90 some dollars. I did call the Pasco County Clerk today and they quoted me $83.00. Different websites will quote different prices depending on when they were written, so it’s best to check directly with the source. It’s also worth noting that you get a discount on your marriage license and the waiting period is waived if you take a premarital course. The courses typically run between $10 – $30 dollars.
