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"It is such a happiness when good people get together—and they always do." - Jane Austin
Your ceremony and officiant are the most important part of your day! You cannot legally be married without this part!
Having a friend or relative officiate can add a special, personal touch to your ceremony. If they’re new to officiating, we’re happy to offer guidance to help them feel comfortable and confident in their role.
Whether you choose a loved one or a professional, the ceremony should reflect your love story in a meaningful way! Let us know how we can support you in making it truly unforgettable.
Your Officiant
Anyone can become ordained to officiate a wedding, but not everyone has the skill to 'perform' one. It's personal and often enjoyable to have someone you know officiate, yet it's common for friends or relatives trying it for the first time to become nervous. Not all are adept at crafting and conducting meaningful ceremonies, managing a wedding party, or correctly completing and filing the license. Should you invite a novice to officiate your wedding, we're here to offer advice. If you're engaging a professional, we'll collaborate with them to organize your wedding party if needed.
Our Officiants
Not everyone knows what to expect from an officiant, where to start, or what questions to ask, so we usually start with a little about our style here at Lavender Owl Farm.
Lesley has been officiating ceremonies since 2003 and likes to keep them casual, meaningful, a little amusing, or downright hilarious! We involve your guests and help keep you at ease. If a little laughter helps you relax and enjoy the moment, then that is what we do! There are no rules, it doesn't have to be scary, and there is no wrong way to do or say anything! If you need to wipe a tear, adjust your clothes, or be amused by the antics of a young child or the family pet, we will wait!
Getting Personal!
Understanding your story, how you met, and your shared interests contributes to a personalized ceremony. Including pets, children, or amusing and romantic anecdotes about one another can tailor the event uniquely to you and hopefully entertain your guests!
As part of the planning process, we'll provide a questionnaire to understand the type of ceremony that reflects your personality, values, and tailor the wording accordingly.
The License
In Oregon, it is mandatory to apply for a marriage license at the County Clerk's Office within 60 days prior to your wedding. You may apply in any county within Oregon and get married in any other county. The completed license must be returned to the issuing county within five days following the ceremony.
A Traditional Ceremony
Processional: Where you all get to walk down the aisle, usually to music and lots of oos and aahs!!
Greeting: Usually addressing your guests and thanking them for coming all this way
Opening Words: What it means to be here and those personal anecdotes and stories, how you met, and what things in your lives either make the other person love you more or annoy the heck out of you!
Intention: The I-do's.
Vows: The promises you want to make to each other. You can write your own, or we can add some words for you to exchange.
Rings: Sometimes combined with the vows.
A reading or blessing: Closes the ceremony with a poem, quote, or words of wisdom, spiritual guidance, or a more light-hearted speech to send you on your new life. A friend or relative may read this.
Pronouncement: and of course, the kiss!
Recessional: When you walk back up the aisle, usually to music and cheers and applause from the guests.
Examples of our pre-written and custom ceremonies include:
Short and Sweet: Our most popular Ceremony - Traditional elements, some meaningful words, and personal anecdotes. Choose from romantic, spiritual, humorous, or a little of all three! Add your own personal vows, or we will write some for you
Fast and funny: Great for Elopements - The traditional I-do's and vows, but with more of a 'let's get hitched' kind of vibe. Great for those Elopements and Tiny Weddings with very few guests to entertain!
The Love Story: A Custom Ceremony - Taking inspiration from some of your most romantic moments, how you met, or how the proposal happened. Pull a line or quote from a favorite movie, poem or song and a romantic reading. Guaranteed to make someone cry!
Spiritual and Meaningful: A Custom Ceremony - By learning more about your lives, family, hopes, and dreams we can create words of wisdom and intention that reflect you, your ideals, and beliefs.
A Few Tips
When planning your ceremony, consider your guests. After all, they are here to enjoy this with you! Make it fun and meaningful for them, and make sure they can hear everything. If you have more than about 15 guests, a microphone and speaker are important, or a good DJ! Make your ceremony interactive for the guests, or just family members. There are several ways to incorporate them into the ceremony with Special Elements.
Add Special Elements to any Ceremony
Hand Fasting
Unity Candles
Sand and other Earth Ceremonies (interactive)
Rock Blessing (interactive)
Wedding Rings Blessing (interactive)
Wine and Love Letter box
Etc. Many other traditional, spiritual, and quirky elements can be researched online
Costs and Details
Our expert officiants will craft and orchestrate your ceremony and wedding party, guiding everything from the processional to the recessional. They will also be present at the rehearsal and take care of completing and filing your legal documents.
Standard Ceremony or add-on to any package - $250
Custom or off-site Ceremony - from $300
Karen J Hawley Photography
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