Officiant/Vendor Help Needed!

knottie53daf9dde994016c

I'm completely stressed over finding an officiant especially considering how much they run (I had no idea 400$ +!). Anyone have any thoughts on A Beautiful Affair of the Heart? I really wanted to have a handfasting ceremony.  Anyone have any referrals for budget officiants?  Also, I’ve heard conflicting sides about whether it’s customary to include a table for your vendors (and thus having to foot the bill as an additional guest) what’s the customary thing to do, have the vendors also as guests or not?

Also, anyone have input on Shannon Fretz Photography?

My package includes a cake from rosiescreativecakes.com, the cakes look amazing- haven’t been in for the consult yet but not worried too much but if anyone has any reviews/input let me know!

shellbell026

I have no clue about the photographer but for the officiant we are going with Word of the Dove.  They charge $75 for the rehearsal and $75 for the ceremony.   He is affordable, I couldn't believe how expensive it is for an officiant.    As for feeding the vendors, yes you feed them.  Most of my vendors aren't not coming to the reception so I have to feed my DJ.  My Photographer is a guest so I was planning on feeding her already    It is an added expensive but I don't want my DJ and Photographer to be working on an empty stomach.  I would ask your vendors if they are planning to eat.  That way you can get an idea of who you need to feed.

EmmaT683

We are using Sharon from openheartministries.com. I know she does the handfasting because we discussed doing that as well with her. Goodluck!

psuxray07

We are also using Word of the Dove! Rev. Shaun Hughes.  FI has dealt with him by phone (b/c I hate calling people) and said he seems like a really nice guy.  It's SO much cheaper than the others - one person we looked at was $600....I was like WHAT?!  I actually think it was Sharon from openheartministires lol...she was really nice though.

Our photographer is from The Pros (who also have DJs and videographers).  We went to a showcase of theirs (if you book them that night you get discounts).  I think we're getting a free 100 picture photo album. 

I was actually wondering about feeding them myself...I heard some people say certain caterers have "vendor" food where it's cheaper so you don't have to pay as much, because I know in our case, adding more people is just getting too expensive for us. 

I've heard of rosiescreativecakes, but I'm not sure about quality/expense.  I'm sure they're good b/c they were listed in the choices from my venue.  I think we looked at them, but everywhere seemed too expensive for us.  Our caterer, Flavers, actually does cakes if you use them for catering, and the cakes were HALF the price of anywhere else, lol....so we are using them.

rebecca915

our officiant was Dave from Wedding Dayz, you can google it.  He was fantastic and will do whatever kind of ceremony you want.  He did our rehearsal & ceremony for $395 (I think).  Everyone complimented us on him & he kept me calm!

knottie53daf9dde994016c

Thanks for the input everyone, please feel free to keep commenting everyone I need all the help I can get!

msc233

I went with a beautiful affair of the heart for our July 4th wedding.  Our officiant was Jo Ostby and she was WONDERFUL.  Did a very nice interfaith ceremony. I would recommend their services.

knottie53daf9dde994016c

Thank you msc! I put in for a consult with them!

JB26368

We're going with Fr. Joe McLaughlin out of Lancaster. He's a Catholic priest who left the church to get married, but can still legally perform ceremonies of any denomination.  His rates are reasonable ($300-350 depending if you want to him be at your rehearsal or not), and him and his wife are just wonderful to work with. Here's his website-

www.fatherjoem.com

Good luck!