Wedding And Ceremonial Information

Wedding and Ceremonial Fees

I. Traditional Wedding Fees

$150 to $430 (Within the Maryland-Washington, DC Metropolitan Area)

$400 to $645 (Outside the DC Metro Area)

Fees may include:

Conducting an initial “get acquainted” meeting with the couple,
Providing information on venue, county marriage licensing procedures, ceremony program format and content, photographers, bridal gowns, wedding cakes and music, and etc.,
Preparing a wedding brochure, wedding workbook or worksheet that offers samples of readings and rituals,
Writing the wedding vows according to the couples wishes; however, the couple may choose to write their own vows,
Coordinating and directing the wedding rehearsal,
Traveling to wedding sites such as hotels, homes, churches, public parks and lakes, beaches, mountains, and boats,
Preparing the ceremony site with prayer and purification,
Preparing a bound copy of the ceremony along with a keepsake marriage certificate,
Signing the official marriage license and couple’s copy and mailing the official copy to the appropriate court clerk.
II. Civil Wedding Fee: $50.00.

The Civil Wedding is an alternative to a Traditional or Courthouse Ceremony. This ceremony is for couples who wish to enter into holy matrimony quickly, inexpensively, privately without the scrutiny of a courthouse ceremony, or where wedding stress may be an issue. This ceremony is performed in my home or office in Silver Spring, Maryland, seven days a week between the hours of 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Fee: $50.00.

III. Sweetheart/Elopement/Last Minute Wedding Fee: $75.00

The Sweetheart/Elopement/Last Minute Wedding is another alternative to the Traditional or Courthouse Wedding. This wedding has more personalized flair than the Civil Wedding and includes the lighting of the Unity Candle or jumping over the Marriage Broom. This ceremony is for couples who wish to enter into holy matrimony quickly, inexpensively, and privately, or where wedding stress may be an issue. This ceremony is performed in my home or office in Silver Spring, Maryland, seven days a week between the hours of 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Fee: $75.00.   Travel fee to another site up to 10 miles: $75.00; further distances negotiable.

IV. Premarital Counseling Fees

Premarital counseling is not required to get married; however, it is available upon request. The goal of the counseling program is to improve interpersonal relationships through communication and listening, conflict resolution, family origin, sexuality, and spiritual beliefs.  The fee for premarital counseling and marriage coaching is $125.00 per hour.

Ceremonial Rituals

I. Unity Candle

The lighting of the Unity Candle is a ritual that symbolizes the joining together two individuals into a married couple in a harmonious relationship. It also symbolizes the illumination of the souls of the bride and groom, and the flames of their love for each other. The ritual can be scripted to include families and friends, and to help resolve negative feeling of the past, present, or future that can interfere with the newlywed's marriage.

II. Jumping the Broom Ritual

The ritual of Jumping the Broom goes back to the ancestors of African American.  The ritual symbolizes the sweeping away of former single lives, past problems, and previous cares, the crossing of a threshold, and the leaping of faith into a new relationship.

III. Additional Wedding Rituals

In addition to Rituals of Jumping the Broom and Lighting of the Unity Candle, Reverend Martin or a member of her staff of Wedding Officiants will perform one or more of the following ceremonial rituals upon request: Hand fasting (Celtic), The Marriage Vessel and the Rose, Family Medallion, Ceremony of the Rose (The First Gift), Unity Cup, Breaking of the Glass (Jewish), Bible/Coins/Lasso, Blessing/Wishing Stones, Attendant Pendant, and Blessing of the Sands (Hawaiian).