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THE PROCESS
After years of creating and performing ceremonies, I have perfected a "process" which produces amazing
results. This "process" is described below. Please note, however, that I am very flexible, and
deviations to the process are sometimes required and therefore honored.
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Consultation
Because I do not discriminate, I do not have any prerequisites for working together, therefore a
first meeting is not a requirement. However, most couples want to meet before making a commitment
to work together. I do agree that it is important that we both feel comfortable, so I offer a
no-obligation first consultation. It is strictly for us to get more information about each other
and make sure that I can fulfill your needs. This meeting can be in person or by conference call
(for very busy couples and those who live outside of the Chicago area). The location of an in-person
meeting usually takes place in Bolingbrook, but other locations can be considered.
Contract
Once your decision has been made that we will work together, I do require that we enter into a
contract, and I do ask for a deposit of half of the fee. I do not commit to the event without a
contract and deposit.
Questionnaire
Because I work with all kinds of different couples (traditional Catholics, Jews, atheists, Hindus,
outdoorsy-types, 12-steppers, agnostics, artsy-types, Buddhists, gay couples), AND because I offer
a custom ceremony, I must spend some time finding out who you are and what you want before I can
create it for you. Therefore, I have devised a questionnaire that makes you think about various
elements of your ceremony. Some of the questions you may have already thought about and others
will encourage you to consider. Your answers to my questions help me to know what direction we are
headed in. This questionnaire is not a quiz. There no right answers.
Materials
Based on our conversations and the questionnaire, I will send to you materials to review. These
materials are meant to be a guide. They consist of ceremonies I have written in the past, readings,
websites, whatever resources I have that I have determined will be beneficial to you. It is my job
to narrow down the information for you so you do not have to waste your time. In these materials,
you may find a paragraph that you want in your ceremony word for word, or you may read about a
sub-ceremony that you kind-of like, but it needs tweeking. The materials may spark a vague idea in
you that, with my expertise, I can develop into a meaningful ritual for your ceremony.
Writing Meeting
When you are finished reviewing the materials, we schedule a time to meet (in person or on the
phone) to put together the first draft of your ceremony. At the end of this meeting we are 80 to
95% done. I will email the ceremony to you at the end of the meeting.
Editing
I have found that if we are prepared for the writing meeting that editing is minimal and a second
meeting is not necessary. All editing can be done electronically, or by fax, by phone.
Rehearsal
If you are having a rehearsal, I will make myself available, if you want me to perform it. There
are occasional conflicts with other weddings, but there has never been a time when we could not
work it out. I will NEVER leave you hanging.
Performance
Of course, I will be there on the day of your wedding to perform the ceremony. My job is to make
sure that everything regarding the ceremony runs smoothly. Some people are nervous or emotional
and may need some help getting through the ceremony. It is my job to guide you through it, and pick
up the pieces if you get lost. In my opinion, my most important job is to help create a space for
a magical event to unfold the way you want it!
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