Do you perform simple elopements?
Absolutely. I have a simple elopement package that includes a very basic ceremony text that is modified with your wedding details. It’s an economical way to tie the knot if you’re interested in keeping things simple. Make sure you are aware of the minimum legal requirements by checking with the appropriate state agency.
Can you personalize a custom ceremony for us?
Absolutely! I love personalizing wedding ceremonies with my couples. It helps to make your wedding unique and tells your story perfectly.
I enjoy incorporating unique and personal touches, especially with unity rituals, into ceremonies. In addition to the popular unity candle and sand ceremonies, there are many other ways a couple can express their individuality with a unity ritual. For example, if the couple are fans of the film The Big Lebowski, we might incorporate movie line references and include a unity ritual where the couple mixes ingredients into a White Russian cocktail.
What kind of minister are you?
I am a non-denominational interfaith minister, ordained both through Universal Life Church and through the Soul Community Church. I can perform any legal marriage ceremony authorized by the state.
Do you perform Vow Renewals? Funerals? Other services?
I do perform vow renewals, which is merely a ceremony where an already married couple renews or re-affirms their wedding vows. This can be new text, or a repetition of their original vows. To some couples, a vow renewal might be an opportunity to have the wedding they dreamed of, but for some reason could not have. To others it may signify the desire to mark a significant anniversary milestone, or perhaps redoubling their commitment following a difficult time.
I do not perform funeral services at this time. I do offer comfort services to those in need and who do not have a church pastor. As an interfaith wedding minister I am happy to come and speak comfort to friends and family who are losing or have lost a loved one. It is important to be clear that I am not theologically trained in this service. That said, I have come and spoken words of comfort to the dying and I am happy to do so for my couples, their friends, and their family.
I do offer pre-marital counseling sessions, with the understanding that I am merely someone experienced with weddings and with life in general. I am not specifically licensed or trained as a counselor or life coach.
Do you attend the rehearsal?
It is not normally necessary for me to rehearse, as I have been involved with hundreds of weddings and can say with a high degree of confidence that I will be able to stand there and do my part well on your wedding day. When asked to be part of the procession, all I have to do is walk in a forward direction. That doesn’t usually require rehearsal either. Most often, rehearsals are for planning when and how wedding party members and parents process, and what they might be asked to do during the ceremony. Those things have never involved me, at least so far since 2014 when I became ordained.
If you do not have a wedding coordinator, I am happy to help lead your wedding rehearsal either on the day of, or on the day before. Either scenario depends on my availability, of course. It is possible for me to perform more than one wedding in a day. Therefore it is prudent to decide this need early on, to make sure I am available to guide the rehearsal for you.
Can you help us with our marriage license?
The license to get married is something that the couple has to acquire in person. My fee includes delivery of the marriage license to the appropriate agency immediately following the wedding. If you want to turn it in yourselves, you are welcome to do so, but I am more than happy to do it for you.
Each township’s web site usually has helpful FAQs about the license and the post-wedding marriage certificate. The best way to begin is to perform a search on the township you’re getting married in, and “marriage license.”
Some townships (especially in New Jersey) want the name, address, and title of the officiant. Mine is Michael Chadwick, Minister (if they request a title), 6 Nantucket Court, Medford NJ 08055, 609-975-9766.
Do you offer pre-wedding sessions?
I offer unlimited access to me for my couples, regardless of whether you’re eloping or getting a fully customized ceremony. Multiple pre-wedding sessions are rarely required, and they can be done virtually to help with travel time and expense. I am here for you as an information resource, and I’m happy to share my extensive wedding knowledge and experience with my couples.
Do you charge for travel? What about destination weddings?
I don’t charge for travel if your wedding takes place within the included travel range for the package you select. Any travel beyond that range will have a travel reimbursement quoted with the package price. For travel to locations more than three hours away from Medford, NJ it is possible (though not required) that an overnight lodging reimbursement will also be necessary.
For destination weddings, actual travel expenses will be added to the package. I am happy to facilitate travel in any way that helps keep costs down. I have worked at weddings all around the U.S. and even in Europe. One time, my couple actually used their frequent flyer miles to fly me “across the pond” for their wedding in Scotland because they wanted a known person that they could work with before the wedding. There are many benefits to working with a vendor you know and have reasonable access to. You will have met me in advance, so you know what you’re getting and you know you’ll be comfortable with me. And, when your friends and family ask you for a recommendation on an officiant for a wedding, you will be able to give them one in your area.
It is important to note that some states and countries will require I be registered with them as an officiant. Sufficient lead time is necessary in these cases, so please be sure to book me at least thirty days in advance if you are getting married in a location not currently in my list of licensed locations.
What do you usually wear?
I’ll chat with you about that in more detail, but the short answer is your choice of either a suit or a black cassock (robe). With the cassock (or the suit, for that matter) I can also wear either an ivory or a rainbow stole (like a long scarf). I also have a black standard tuxedo if that is preferred. I am happy to dress in any way that is appropriate for your wedding. If any wedding is so specifically-themed that an entire costume rental or purchase is required, that exact cost would have to be reimbursed.
Why should I pay you when I can have someone I know get ordained online?
Officiating a wedding is more than just the act of getting ordained online. It requires creativity with writing the ceremony text. It requires a confident public speaker that can properly enunciate and professionally deliver the text. It requires a person who can improvise and speak extemporaneously if something happens that is outside of the plan. It requires experience with weddings, to know about possible problems before they arise. It requires someone who understands how the license should be filled out and returned to the proper authority.
This is your wedding. There is only one chance to deliver it in a way that is elegant, professional, sensitive, easily understood, and confident. One chance. Trust it to a professional. If you want to involve a cherished friend or family member in the ceremony, there are many ways to accomplish this without putting your entire wedding ceremony at risk. Anyone can buy a baseball bat. That doesn’t automatically turn them into Bryce Harper.
Now, all of that said, it is understandable wanting to have someone close to you perform your wedding ceremony. There are things they need to know or they could actually cause your wedding not to be legal! So, I do offer a quick Zoom live one-on-one “how to” for new officiants.
May I get your address for the license?
Yes, this is information your township clerk might request. My title is Minister, and here is my contact information.
Michael Chadwick
6 Nantucket Court
Medford, NJ 08055
609-975-9766
Where are you licensed to perform weddings?
I am currently licensed to perform weddings in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. I am happy to get licensed if your wedding takes place in another state or even another country. I need to know well ahead of time in order to apply for and obtain that license.