Although I do not insist upon it, I strongly recommend the on-line compatibility survey and a 2-hour session of premarital counseling for all couples. This has helped keep the success rate of "my" marriages at well over 90%!

Even if you’ve been together a long time, this session can help you "unlearn" negative patterns you may not even realize you’ve acquired just because it’s what you’re used to!

Diamond Wedding Service : $ 750

The first meeting, as you probably saw on my website, is essentially about my asking you questions that will provide me with the information with which to create your custom-written ceremony. And you can ask me anything you like about my background and so on, as well.

Every couple has a unique and fantastic story of their romance, and I love to include that in the beginning of your ceremony. How did you meet? What did you do on your first date? How long before each of you knew you were in love? At what point did you realize this was THE love? Tell me your proposal story! And (with only one of you in the room at the same time) what qualities do you see in your intended that make you so sure that you’ve found the perfect person for you? (You’ll see the entire ceremony beforehand, EXCEPT for this last part—it’s great to watch the surprise and delight on your face as you hear the fantastic things your partner had to say about you!)

Also, as I get to know you, I’ll get a feeling for what traditions might be appropriate for you (you can see a few of them on my web page under Traditions), and we’ll discuss which ones you’d like to include in your own ceremony. Some emphasize including multiple generations, others cultural heritage, some are just plain beautiful…!

The Compatibility Survey:
The one that I use looks at 15 different areas of your lives, from attitudes with which you were raised, to whom you have become now, and also projects into the future--each of you as individuals, and the two of you as a couple. I think it's the broadest in scope and least judgmental survey on the market and, of all of them out there, I definitely like this one the best.

After I receive back the half-inch-thick analysis of your survey (!) from the firm to which I send it, I then put on my "psychotherapist hat" to put all their conclusions and assumptions through my own focus, so that I am prepared for our second meeting. (I am also a Ph.D. Counselor)

At our second meeting I will tell you, category by category, all the places in which you are "on the same page"--and advise you to keep doing all those great things! If I see any areas that I think should be discussed--no because they raise red flags, but because I might see pale pink flags that could turn red if we don't discuss these areas--I'll raise the questions and we'll discuss those areas together. Because I am also a therapist, I can give you precise, action-oriented tools with which to improve and get rid of whatever potential problem I may feel could be lurking a few years down the road.

Rehearsals:
I do not usually attend rehearsals, and here's the reason why:

My ceremonies are written as scripts, including procession and direction by name (i.e. Mary, would you please hold Sarah's bouquet; John, may I have the rings please). Therefore, the copy of the ceremony that you receive beforehand is an extremely clear guide to who-does-what-when. Especially for brides who use a wedding director, this is abundantly clear direction for a rehearsal. However, about 20% of my couples ask me to attend the rehearsal anyway--as a kind of insurance for them (which is very flattering for me!). However, because my time at the rehearsal is not an essential part of the process, and because I virtually always end up acting as wedding director, I do charge to attend rehearsals. Whereas most wedding directors charge $350 and up for this service, I charge $150 plus travel.

I'll be glad to attend your rehearsal; just advise me well ahead of time so that I may schedule accordingly.

If I have the opportunity to schedule a wedding ceremony rather than a rehearsal, I reserve the option to do so, even if the rehearsal has already been scheduled, so that the rehearsal time can be rescheduled or so that I can arrange for another minister to stand in for me at the rehearsal.

Travel:
The first half hour or 30 miles (whichever is greater) from either my Greensboro or Shallotte office is included in the cost of the ceremony.

Additional car travel cost is as follows (subject to change if gasoline exceeds $3./gallon):

• $15 per 15 minutes/15 miles or less beyond the first half hour, each way.
• $ 30 per half hour/30 miles or less beyond the first half hour, each way.
• Half-day and full-day travel rates are available.