What is a wedding officiant?
What is your experience?
Why should I choose you to officiate my wedding?
How far do you travel?
Can you recommend wedding venues in the wine country?
Can you work with our wedding planner?
Can you officiate any day of the week or year?
Do you offer inter-faith, non-denominational or secular weddings?
Do you marry same-sex couples?
Will you meet with us prior to the wedding day?
Can you personalize a ceremony to our special needs?
Can you officiate our wedding in a church or religious place?
Who handles the marriage license?
How do we obtain a marriage license in the state of California?
Will I receive a certified copy of the marriage license after the wedding?
Does it matter if we are from out of state?
How long does it take to get a marriage license?
Do we need a witness for the ceremony?
Do you offer renewal of vows?
Do you provide services for elopement?
What is a wedding officiant?
A wedding officiant, or wedding celebrant, is the person who performs the religious or secular ceremony for a wedding. Most wedding officiants are ordained clergy, though legal officials (such as judges), Justices of the Peace, marriage commissioners and notaries can also legally officiate weddings.
What is your experience?
I have been performing wedding ceremonies for 30 years, both religious and secular.
Why should I choose you to officiate my wedding?
Over the last 30 years I have conducted numerous wedding ceremonies of all sizes in a wide range of settings, from churches to beautiful outdoor settings. The couples I have served have had unique needs and desires for their ceremonies, and my goal for each is to perform the wedding they desire. I do not follow a standard routine or script. Instead, I work closely with each bridal couple to plan and execute a wedding ceremony that celebrates their love and their individuality. I promise the same to any couple I have to honor to serve in the future.
How far do you travel?
I can travel up to 100 miles from my home base of Santa Rosa, California. Additional travel fees may apply. Please don’t hesitate to ask more.
Can you recommend wedding venues in the wine country?
I have experienced such diversity and beauty from Redwood forests to coastal landscapes to unmatched wine country venues. I can absolutely offer suggestions and recommendations on an individual basis.
Can you work with our wedding planner?
The majority of weddings I perform are managed by professional wedding planners, and like any member of a team I make it my priority to work within the scope and flow of how each ceremony is set up. A good wedding planner is the cornerstone to the success of your wedding, from beginning to end. No two weddings are the same, and I work with each couple, in harmony with their planner, to make their ceremony unique and memorable.
Can you officiate any day of the week or year?
I can be available to officiate your ceremony any time during the year.
Do you offer inter-faith, non-denominational or secular weddings?
In most cases couples come from differing backgrounds, and the ceremony often will reflect that diversity. What is said between two people and how it resonates with them is very important. I will emphasize freedom and flexibility when crafting your ceremony, whether it is a blend of religious backgrounds or completely secular.
Do you marry same-sex couples?
Yes, I consider it a privilege to participate in all weddings.
Getting married in Sonoma County
Will you meet with us prior to the wedding day?
I provide 2 pre-ceremony consultations. The first generally covers getting to know the couple and their backgrounds, size of bridal party and any specific components that they want to have incorporated in their ceremony. I will offer options for ceremony consideration and cover the key components of a ceremony from top to bottom. The second consultation brings it all together and solidifies plans.
Can you personalize a ceremony to our special needs?
No two ceremonies are ever the same. Each ceremony incorporates background and qualities unique to each couple. I will work with each couple to make sure their ceremony reflects their individuality and needs as a couple.
Can you officiate our wedding in a church or religious place?
Sonoma County Wine Country is a mecca for stunning outdoor wedding ceremonies, but I can also conduct a ceremony in a church, with approval.
Who handles the marriage license?
I do. As the wedding officiant solemnizing the wedding, I complete the license and mail it back to the county where it was issued. However, the bridal couple is responsible for obtaining a marriage license prior to the wedding.
How do we obtain a marriage license in the state of California?
Both parties must be present with valid picture identification (driver’s license, passport or government/military ID). The license will remain valid for 90 days, and the ceremony must be performed within that time period.
Blood tests are no longer required in California.
The cost of a marriage license varies from county to county, and is dependent on type of license issued.
TWO TYPES OF MARRIAGE LICENSE:
General (Public) Marriage License – $83 in Sonoma County
- Marriage can be performed anywhere in California.
- Only one witness required. Witness does not have to be known to the bride and groom prior to the ceremony.
- License is a matter of public record, and the marriage is recorded at the county office that issued the license.
Confidential Marriage License – $100 in Sonoma County
- Parties must be living together as spouses.
- Both parties must be at least 18.
- Marriage must be performed in the county in which license was obtained.
- No witnesses are required.
- License is confidential.
Will I receive a certified copy of the marriage license after the wedding?
A certified copy of the registered license as proof of marriage may be required for legal purposes. A certified copy is not automatically issued; it must be requested from the County Clerk Office, and paid for after the ceremony is performed and the license registered. Cost for a certified copy of a marriage license in Sonoma County is $16.
Marriage License Sonoma County
COUNTY CLERK OFFICES
Sonoma County Clerks Office
Visit their website here >>
La Plaza West Building
2300 County Center Drive Suite B-177
Santa Rosa CA, 95403
707-565-3700
Napa County Clerks Office
Visit their website here >>
Recorder-clerk@countyofnapa.org
900 Coombs St., Rm. 116
Napa, CA
707-253-4246
Marin County Clerks Office
Visit their website here >>
3501 Civic Center Dr.
San Rafael, CA 94928
415-499-3003
Mendocino County Clerks Office
Visit their website here >>
Perkins & State St.
Ukiah, CA 95482
707-463-4376
Lake County Clerks Office
Visit their website here >>
255 N Forbes ST. #109
Lakeport, CA 95453
219-648-6996
219-755-3465
Does it matter if we are from out of state?
No, not as long as the marriage license is obtained in California.
How long does it take to get a marriage license?
You can receive your license at the time of application. Couples must appear together, in person, with valid picture ID and payment to receive a license.
Do we need a witness for the ceremony?
General (Pubic) License requires one witness at the ceremony. In the case of a Confidential Marriage License no witnesses are required.
Do you offer renewal of vows?
Yes.
Do you provide services for elopement?
Yes, frequently. Please ask directly for more information.