Question 1

How long have you been in business?

Accepted Answer

Church of Ancient Ways was founded in 1997. We've been officiating weddings for nearly thirty years.

Question 2

How many weddings have you done?

Accepted Answer

As a team, we've performed over 10,000 ceremonies.

Question 3

Are you legally able to marry us?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we are 100% legal. None of our team are ordained online. Please note that while New York State does not license officiants to marry couples, a proper credential is essential to perform ceremonies. New York City does require officiants to Register with them. However, that registration states right on the face of the issued document that it is only valid for ceremonies that take place physically in New York City. If you are planning a NYC wedding, know that we are all registered with the Office of the City Clerk and are happy to share our ordinations and registrations with you.

Question 4

Do you have a rabbi?

Accepted Answer

Yes!

Question 5

Our venue requires a Certificate of Insurance. Can you provide that?

Accepted Answer

Yes!

Question 6

How soon before the wedding should we be looking for an officiant?

Accepted Answer

This really depends on your comfort levels. Many couples book a year and a half to two years in advance, especially if they know their date is a popular one. With an originally written ceremony, many couples like to have plenty of time to go over the draft and fine-tune what will be said. On the other hand, with the world as it is now and with plans changing, shorter notice has also become popular too. Every relationship is different. The golden rule these days is, “Whatever Works!”. But with any vendor you have your heart set on, it is always better to book early.

Question 7

Why do we need a professional officiant?

Accepted Answer

Because we know how to marry people! We have creative writing ability, a knowledge of options, traditions, and structure, as well as a talent for public speaking. People think that it will be more personal if a friend or family member marries them…And while they do love you, they have no reference points for the task at hand. Most of our last-minute requests are from couples who enlisted a friend or family member only to realize they were in over their head and backed out at the last minute.

Question 8

How long do your ceremonies usually take to perform?

Accepted Answer

It is up to you but we usually try to run no more than 20 minutes. Any longer than that and we run the risk of sounding like “blah, blah, blah, blah….”

Question 9

What kinds of ceremonies do you perform?

Accepted Answer

All kinds! Civil, Religious, Interfaith, and Multi-Cultural Weddings... We can even create new original writings for unique occasions! Twenty years ago, there really wasn’t a name for the kind of writing we were doing, so we started to call them “Couple Centered Ceremonies”, because we keep all the traditional aspects that you are connected to, and toss out the things that make you cringe. We have the writing skills to turn your thoughts and feelings into those personal sections that will make everyone present feel closer to you and to one another, sharing a side of you and your relationship that they wouldn’t see on any other day.

Question 10

We just want a simple ceremony, do we have to meet with you for that?

Accepted Answer

Not at all. You don’t have to do – or not do – anything with us. If you see your personal vows to each other as the center of your ceremony, if you are traditional and want the words you have always heard as the ones that make you married, or if you want a short and sweet civil ceremony… These are all great reasons to keep it simple. We even have an Unscripted level of service that may be perfect for your needs.

Question 11

If we book with you, will YOU be the one to perform our ceremony?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I have been getting this question often lately and while there are officiants who overbook and then farm out the overspill, we do not do that. If you book me you get me. If you book with one of our other officiants, you’ll get them. The only way that would change is if there is an illness or unforeseen emergency that requires us to replace the officiant. In that case, another team member will be there with everything you were promised, including the ceremony you picked or had created for you.

Question 12

We think we want to write our own vows but aren’t sure, is that ok?

Accepted Answer

Of course it is! I always say that “Life rolls in real time”. Write them anyway and if you speak them publicly or privately it will always be your choice.

Question 13

How closely do you schedule your ceremonies?

Accepted Answer

For our top two levels of service, we don’t schedule closer than 3 hours in between events, unless of course they are in the same town or at the same venue. Included in your time on our calendar is a buffer for “just in case”. Know that you will never lose any part of your day because we are late and we will never schedule so closely that you feel rushed in any way.

Question 14

What happens if you get sick?

Accepted Answer

We are very fortunate to have a wonderful team of truly gifted professionals. Should any of us have a fever or be unable to perform, we are replaced immediately with a team member who has everything you have been promised, in print, ready to knock it out of the park for you.

Question 15

Do you have any restrictions on photography or video?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not, when it comes to working with other professional vendors. We want your photographer to get you the best shots possible. These pictures are how your great-great-grandchildren will know and remember you. Your vendors should all be working together to help give you the best of what we each have to offer. – With that said, many are choosing to have an unplugged ceremony where guests are asked to put their phones and camera away till after cocktail hour. If this is you… We can help!

Question 16

What do your typical services include?

Accepted Answer

Our services are all tailored to fit your needs. Our custom ceremony level of service includes a meeting and yields your first draft, ready for you to approve or edit. Or, if you take the “Skip the Meeting Discount”, it’s a ceremony assembled or chosen from our sample ceremonies section or our builder application. On your wedding day, arrive 45 minutes to an hour before the ceremony start time. You get to keep the final printed ceremony book that is read from with a keepsake Certificate of Marriage. We sign and process the real Marriage License, which is always returned using certified mail, with a copy and a tracking number provided to you.

Question 17

Do you charge extra to add candle lighting, a rose element, or other ceremony elements?

Accepted Answer

Never! We don’t micromanage fees and ceremony content. We’re with you for the same amount of time on the calendar no matter what you include or how big your bridal party is. The couple is, however, responsible for purchasing any materials for that aspect of the ceremony on their own.

Question 18

How much contact will we have with you before the wedding?

Accepted Answer

As much or as little as you want. Some couples edit and finish everything themselves, then send it all back. Others want to talk about the options for every decision they make. Either way is great, however you can expect a check in call every now and then. All calls and emails are answered within 24 hours, quicker midweek when we are in the office and a little slower on the weekends when we are marrying.

Question 19

What about the rehearsal?

Accepted Answer

With a ceremony taking place at a catering hall, the rehearsal is run by the maitre-d. It’s usually sometime in the hour before the ceremony starts on the wedding day. That way, you have everyone, including us, there already in the real space with the real dress to practice fluffing and so on. Sometimes couples go on a different night, but most don’t choose to add the cost of us being there to our service. Usually, they get more information from the maitre-d, who will also answer any questions you have about the whole event.

Question 20

We have our Marriage License. Can we come over and get married now?

Accepted Answer

Believe it or not the answer is usually “Yes!”. As long as the 24 hour grace period from issuance that it takes to become valid has passed, you are all set! We have (subject to officiant availability) locations in Old Bethpage, East Northport, Plainview, and Glen Cove, so give me a call and we’ll get you married!

Question 21

What do you need to know from us to check your availability?

Accepted Answer

Date, ceremony start time, and location. Any thoughts you already have about what you want (style, theme, religious/non religious) are welcome too. Please feel free to call any time!

The Officiants at Church of Ancient Ways

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About The Officiants at Church of Ancient Ways