What is included in your wedding officiant services?

My fee includes an initial consultation, a custom-written ceremony, officiating on the wedding day, and completing the marriage paperwork, both the official license and a ceremonial certificate if you would like one. I return the signed license to the county within the required 30 days. Travel within King County is included.

How much does a wedding officiant cost in Seattle?

My ceremony design and officiant package is $250. Travel within King County is included. For weddings outside King County, a travel fee applies, described below.

Do you travel outside Seattle and King County?

Yes. I officiate weddings throughout Puget Sound, including Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties. For weddings outside King County, I add a travel fee made up of three parts: my driving time at [$__ per hour, round trip], mileage at the current IRS standard business mileage rate, and the cost of any ferry fares for my vehicle. I provide the total in writing before you book.

Why this structure: it covers your time, car costs, and ferry tickets exactly as you described, and it stays accurate as costs change. The IRS rate rose to 76 cents per mile on July 1, 2026, so the FAQ refers to the current rate instead of a number that would go stale.

What kinds of weddings do you officiate?

I officiate ceremonies of every size and style, from small elopements and micro-weddings to large celebrations, on weekdays and weekends. Ceremonies can be traditional, brief, humorous, moving, or a blend of these. My ceremonies are spiritual but not religious.

Do you officiate LGBTQ+ and interfaith weddings?

Yes. I welcome couples of all genders, orientations, faiths, and cultural backgrounds, and I am glad to incorporate your traditions and beliefs into the ceremony.

Do you officiate elopements and micro-weddings?

Yes. I officiate small elopements, including wilderness locations, as well as intimate micro-weddings. Share your date and location and I will confirm availability and any travel details.

Do you officiate vow renewals?

Yes. I write and officiate vow renewal ceremonies with the same care as a wedding ceremony.

Do you provide custom-written wedding ceremonies?

Yes. Each ceremony I officiate is written for the couple. I begin with an outline based on a traditional wedding ceremony and suggest readings that are popular with many couples, so some elements may appear in other ceremonies I have officiated, but the finished ceremony is entirely yours.

What is your process for creating and officiating a ceremony?

We begin with a phone call to confirm that I am the right fit. If so, I send you and your partner a brief survey about your story, and you can share as much or as little as you like. A few weeks before the wedding, I send a draft ceremony for your review, and I offer up to three rounds of revisions.

Do you attend the wedding rehearsal?

Yes. I am happy to attend your rehearsal for an additional fee. I charge $150 for rehearsal, plus my travel fee.

Can friends and family take part in the ceremony?

Yes. If friends or family members are giving readings, I prepare their passages and send practice tips. Even experienced speakers benefit from a little support on an emotional day.

Do we write our own vows?

That is entirely your choice. Some couples read vows aloud during the ceremony, some exchange them privately beforehand, and some skip vows. We will decide together what suits you.

How far in advance should we book?

I recommend contacting me as soon as you have a date and location. [Add your booking policy: when a date is reserved, and whether a deposit is required.]

Do we need a marriage license in Washington, and how does it work?

Yes. Couples must have a Washington marriage license before the ceremony.

• Apply through any county auditor. In King County, the Recorder's Office issues licenses. A license from any Washington county can be used anywhere in Washington, but not to marry in another state or country.

• A three-day waiting period applies after the license is issued, and the license then has a 60-day window. Use the valid-from and valid-through dates printed on your license. The waiting period cannot be waived.

• Two witnesses must be present. The couple, the officiant, and the witnesses sign the license.

• I complete the certificate and return it to the county within 30 days of the ceremony.

Fees and procedures change, so please confirm current details with your county auditor.

Who can legally officiate a wedding in Washington?

Washington law (RCW 26.04.050) authorizes judges and justices, and any regularly licensed or ordained minister, priest, imam, rabbi, or similar official of a religious organization. I was ordained through the Universal Life Church, so your ceremony will legally be “religious.”

Will you stay for the reception?

I attend as a vendor and do not stay for the reception, though I appreciate the invitation.