| by Massachusetts Justice of the Peace & Notary Public Carol J. Merletti |
The Process
| (Please see my fees at the bottom of this web page.) REQUIREMENTS TO MARRY IN MASSACHUSETTS 1. Couple getting married (18 years or older) 2. The Justice of the Peace / Officiant 3. A valid marriage license (Massachusetts Certificate of Marriage)
IMPORTANT: Marriage License and Officiant Payment are due before the ceremony begins. There are two reasons for this. First, and most importantly, an "officiant" cannot perform your ceremony until they view the expiration date on your Marriage License. This is required by Massachusetts law. Secondly, once the ceremony ends, couples are very excited to go and take part in the picture session of their wedding. An "officiant" does not feel comfortable, nor do they want to interfere in this special part of your wedding. In addition, most JPs must leave to perform other ceremonies. Therefore, to make it easier for all, it is best to put the "officiant payment" in the same envelope with the Marriage License and give it to the "best man", since this must be handed to the "officiant" upon arrival of your ceremony. By giving this to the "best man", the "officiant" does not have to overwhelm the "couple" with having to ask for this when they are so busy trying to get ready for the most important moment of their lives -- their wedding! Ceremony Time and Guest Arrival: It is extremely, extremely important that all guests arrive on time so that the ceremony can start on time. While it is normal for ceremonies to start a few minutes behind for one reason or another, any additional time after that is going to prove to be costly to the couple getting married. This could mean additional cost for the reception hall having to pay their catering services / employee salaries for overtime, the limousine driver, the officiant, photographer, DJ, etc. While I have never, ever charged for additional time, it is becoming more of a timing problem for me as an officiant when wedding ceremonies do not start on time. I often conduct two ceremonies in one day, so I schedule them with enough travel time, as well as enough time to get to each ceremony early enough in the event that I am needed for any last minute changes. I would never, ever want to be late for your ceremony, so I ask that this not happen to other couples who I have committed myself to that day for their ceremony as well. This is where it is very important that you do your best, as a couple, to make sure that this does not happen. An idea to get your guest to arrive on time is for you to tell your guest that your ceremony is at 4:00 p.m., when it is really going to start at 4:30 p.m. This way, there will not be an additional cost to you, at least from my end. Rehearsals: There will also never be any additional cost to you other than my fee of $100.00 for my attending your rehearsal, if however, your wedding party shows up on time. IMPORTANT: PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT I WORK FULL TIME, THEREFORE, WITH THAT IN MIND, AND BECAUSE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO ATTEND REHEARSALS BEFORE 7:00 P.M. RELIGIOUS / NON-RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES While I am Catholic, I am not a practicing Catholic. Therefore, I will and do perform all types of ceremonies based upon your religious belief. However, in an effort to not insult anyone because I am not familiar with your religion, I never, ever incorporate any religious quotes in a ceremony unless I am asked to do so. And because I am not familiar with your religion, I will always rely on you to help me with whatever it is that you want me to say or do to assure that it is done correctly. Each and every one of my vows are special, unique, individualized and very meaningful for each of my clients. Having said that, if you want me to include a particular religious quote, I am very happy to do so. I am very open-minded towards all faiths and beliefs. Non-Denominational Ceremonies A non-denominational is a ceremony that is not of a particular denomination and is based upon what couples want for their ceremony. Religious Ceremony A particular denomination (e.g., Jewish, Catholic, Baptist, etc.) or combination of denominations; characterized by defining religious rituals or traditions from one or more denominations. Non-Religious Ceremony There is no religion attached to this ceremony whatsoever. However, your ceremony is just as meaningful, warm, special, and loving as with any other ceremony. You can be as creative as you wish with your vows. Interfaith Ceremony A combination or blend of religions ranging from only some religion to being entirely religious.
Can a couple select their own vows?
Do we Have to Speak at the Ceremony
Can we Include Others in the Ceremony?
Do we Need Rings?
Do we Need Witnesses at the Ceremony?
Where the Ceremony is Held?
Is it necessary for a Pre-Nuptial Meeting With Our Officiant?
What does an Officiant Wear at a Ceremony?
How Does a Couple Renew Their Vows?
OFFICIANT FEES (Please see my link for detailed fees)
IMPORTANT NOTES: Marriage License and Officiant Payment are due before the ceremony begins. There are two reasons for this. First, and most importantly, I cannot perform your ceremony until I view the expiration date on your Marriage License. Secondly,once the ceremony ends, couples are very excited to go and take part in the picture session of their wedding. An officiant does not feel comfortable, nor do they want to interfere in this special part of your wedding. In addition, most JPs must leave to perform other ceremonies. Therefore, to make it easier for all, it is best to put the officiant payment in the same envelope with the Marriage License and give it to the best man to hand to the officiant upon arrival of your ceremony. I do not charge for writing your wedding vows. I believe that this should be included in your ceremony fee. However, Ceremony Vows that are written by me, an officiant, are the sole property of Carol J. Merletti, Weddingofyourdesire.com and are copyrighted. Sadly, a scam has developed – since the "one-day-marriage / special license to marry" has become allowed by some states -- some individuals, certainly not all by any means, "pretend" to hire a Justice of the Peace to officiate over their wedding ceremony. Once they lock in their date, they receive vows written by their officiant. Later, they contact their officiant to inform him / her that they have decided to apply for the “one day / special license for a friend / family member to marry them. “We love your vows, however we no longer need your services.” is the usual line, but not always. While this is, of course, a special day for them to always remember, what is not being remembered is that these vows were not written by their friend or family member, and therefore, these vows, are not their property to use. Nor should they feel good about themselves for using them. If a friend or family member wants to perform the ceremony, that is wonderful and of course, very special, however that friend or family member should write the vows. In addition, the officiant, very kindly, and without taking a deposit -- based on “trust”, locked in the date of their ceremony in his / her calendar, believing that his / her services were now booked on that specific date and time. In turn, they tell other potential clients who really want their services that they are not available, because they believe that they are not. Having said that, effective immediately, while I do not charge for vows, I now require a $50.00 non-refundable deposit, which is part of your $125.00 ceremony fee. Should you decide to cancel your wedding date in my calendar, regardless of your reason, this fee will not be returned. Once you have hired my services, I ask that you immediately send out a check payable to: Carol J. Merletti (Address will be given upon our initial conversation.) I feel horrible that it has had to come to this. I have always been known to work with my clients based on their word, trust, and commitment, because I truly love what I do. But I have learned quickly that I can no longer depend on this because of a certain few who took advantage of my trust. My time, and my efforts that I provide to my clients are very valuable and precious to me. It is a great feeling knowing that I am known for the good work that I provide to all of my clients. I take great pride in the vows that I have written for each and everyone one of my clients to make them personal. But now I can no longer over look the small number of people who have taken advantage of my good nature. Therefore, I can not, and will not, allow others to take credit for materials that I have written, and will, without a doubt, pursue the matter legally. If you are using materials written by Carol J. Merletti – I will pursue it. |
| (c) Copyright – Carol J. Merletti – Weddingofyourdesire.com. All rights reserved. The information on this page may not be reproduced, republished or mirrored, in whole or in part, on another webpage or website without the expressed written consent of the copyright holder and is strictly prohibited by International Copyright Law. |
Wedding of Your Desire
Carol J. Merletti
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