What is your background and how many wedding ceremonies have you performed?

I am a full-time wedding officiant, minister and celebrant, and as such, take my job very seriously. I am honored to be part of one of the most special days of your lives and am always completely at your service and easily reachable by phone and e-mail. I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island and have a strong background in public speaking and public performance. I am organized, well-spoken and efficient.... all skills that lend themselves well to being a wedding officiant. It is important to note that there are a lot of officiants in San Diego, many of whom are out to just make a quick buck on a Saturday. Beware of weekend warriors who only perform ceremonies now and then or offer unusually low rates. They may show up late or not at all, dress innapopriately, stumble through your ceremony, and may not file your marriage license properly or at all. I am experienced and professional, with excellent references and have performed over 1,000 ceremonies throughout Southern California since the year 2002.

What types of ceremonies have you performed?

I think I've done it all. Large, formal affairs at 5-star resorts with 300 guests, to intimate elopements where it was just the bride and groom on the beach. I am always open to new ideas. Renewals of wedding vows, commitment ceremonies and christenings, as well as situations where the bride and groom may have previously eloped and are already legally married, but want to have a formal wedding ceremony in front of their family and friends. This is a very common scenario for couples who are in the armed services. No worries... I am great at keeping a secret! I have performed short and sweet civils, serious religious ceremonies, interfaith weddings that combine the traditions of several different faiths, ceremonies that include children, Hawaiian ceremonies and Celtic handfastings, just to name a few...and of course, the most popular... where the bride and groom want a lighthearted, customized ceremony that reflects their personalities with a touch of spirituality, grace and humor.

What are the steps to retaining you as our officiant?

First, simply call or e-mail me the date, time and location of your ceremony, at which time I will be able to tell you if I am available to officiate your ceremony. If you are in San Diego County, I will be happy to meet with both of you at a convenient location so we can get to know each other and talk more about your ideas for your ceremony. This of course, is not mandatory and sometimes impossible if you are coming to San Diego from out of town, in which case all of our contact would be by phone and/or e-mail. I am completely comfortable with this method and have helped hundreds of out-of-town couples plan their ceremonies. If you decide to retain me as your officiant, I only require a $100 deposit to "officially" hold the date. If you are reserving a Destination Wedding Package, the deposit will be slightly larger, depending on the size of your package.

What if you aren't available to officiate?

I am happy to provide you with referrals to officiants who are similar to myself in personality and approach. My husband, Rev. Grant Daversa is a wonderfully warm and caring officiant who I frequently refer couples to, and is always available for you if you prefer a male officiant. We work very closely together to help each couple have the most perfect day, so you may even hear from me from time to time during your planning process. I have several other colleagues, both men and women, who may also be a good fit for you and I am happy to pass along their contact info.

Can you help us find a location?

Of course. I have lived in San Diego for over 25 years and am familiar with all of the most popular wedding locations in "America's Finest City". I know all the best spots for a beach wedding, the most private cliff locations, and a few secret locations that very few people know about. I am familiar with all the permit requirements for the City of San Diego, Coronado and other areas of San Diego County. I can also make suggestions on more formal venues for larger weddings. Visit my Beautiful Locations page for ideas on coastal areas and local wedding venues.

Do you offer wedding packages?

Yes, I offer several wedding packages as well as ala carte items that are designed to help ease the stress of planning for my couples. It can be difficult to pull together all the details for your wedding ceremony, especially when you are coming from out of town, and I have made it easy and affordable for you to have the perfect wedding day. Flowers, photographer, chairs and an arch decorated with silk florals and tulle... even rose petals for the aisle! In some cases, couples have already retained an officiant, but would like to have me simply coordinate their wedding ceremony. I love all aspects of the wedding ceremony and am happy to help you put together your dream wedding, even if you have another officiant. Visit my San Diego Destination Wedding & Elopement Packages page for more information.

Can you help us with a photographer?

Most definitely. I have several photographers that work for me

How long is the wedding ceremony?

It's completely up to you. My average ceremony runs about 15-20 minutes, but will depend alot on what you would like to include. You are always welcome to include readings or songs done by friends or family members, special acts of celebration such as a Sand Ceremony or Rose Exchange, in which case, the ceremony would of course, be a bit longer. I am very much about my couples and am happy to create a ceremony that really reflects the two of you.

Can we write our own vows?

Absolutely. Your vows are your words of love and commitment to each other, and are one of the most important aspects of your ceremony.

We both have children from previous relationships. Can we include our children in the ceremony?

Of course. There are a number of ways to include your children in your wedding ceremony. The Family Sand Ceremony is a wonderful and fun way to include your children, without putting too much pressure on them or making them feel awkward. You can also incorporate vows that you say to your children, committing to love them as their parents, and even present them with a gift like a necklace, ring or bracelet. I am always happy to help you decide on the best way to incorporate them, based on their ages and personalities.

What do you usually say during the ceremony?

That is completely up to you. Based on what we have talked about and your ideas and preferences for your ceremony, I will develop the script for your big day and e-mail it to you a few weeks prior to your ceremony, so you have time to review it. I don't have any specific requirements on what needs to be said during the ceremony, so you can feel free to change it, delete or add to it. Just let me know... I won't be offended at all. We have all heard horror stories about officiants who felt compelled to use the couple's ceremony as a forum to express their own opinions or beliefs, much to the bride and groom's shock and surprise. If you retain me as your officiant, you can be assured that your ceremony will be exactly the way you want it. I stick to the script that you have approved. Having the opportunity to review your script will help you relax and thoroughly enjoy your day.

What do you usually wear at the ceremony?

It is your big day and the focus should be on you. My wardrobe varies, depending on the location and weather, however I always dress neatly and conservatively in black so as not to detract from the two of you. I do not wear ceremonial robes, albs or other religious clothing. l will usually don a suit jacket and dress pants or skirt, or perhaps a mandarin collar jacket. If you are having a bit of theme for your wedding, I will make every effort to adjust my wardrobe accordingly (i.e. a Hawaiian wedding, beach wedding, etc.). You can get an idea of my wardrobe by visiting my Photo Gallerie.

What about the rehearsal?

My attendance at your rehearsal, although sometimes requested, is not mandatory. The decision on whether to have a rehearsal or not really rests with you and you should check with your site coordinator to make arrangements. If you have a wedding coordinator, it is usually not necessary that I attend. Due to their more casual approach, beach weddings or small elopements do not require a rehearsal. I will arrive at your ceremony 1/2 hour prior so I can take care of any last minute details or direction that needs to be made. My fee for a wedding rehearsal begins at $100 depending on the location.

Where and when do we purchase our Marriage License?

You must obtain your Marriage License at any County Clerk's office in the State of California, but no more than 90 days prior to your wedding date. You can obtain your marriage license from any County in California and I can marry you anywhere in California if it is a Public Marriage License. If you obtain a Confidential Marriage License, you can only be married in the county where the marriage license was obtained. See my Marriage License page for all the details on obtaining your Marriage License in San Diego County. All counties in California have the same rules for obtaining your license, however the fees may differ slightly. You can even download the Marriage License Application for San Diego and fill it out beforehand to save time.

What if the Clerk's office is closed and we can't purchase our marriage license?

If you discover that the County's Clerk's office is or will be closed when you are here in San Diego, and you are unable to purchase your marriage license, don't worry! I work closely with several qualified notaries who are able to issue a Confidential Marriage License in San Diego County, often on short notice. Just let me know immediately. I will give you all the information and I do my best to make sure your wedding day goes as planned!