Recommendations Needed - Officiant and Ceremony Music

ohmrs2014

My FI and I have decided to have the ceremony at the same place as our reception for numerous reasons.  I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for an Officiant.  I would love to have someone thats as closed to a priest as a I can get, like a retired one, but my FI and I are open to any recommendations that we can get.  On that note, has anyone used or heard of Father Carroll, in Linden, NJ?  I found his info online, but not alot with not many reviews. 

Secondly, can anyone offer any suggestions for ceremony musicians?  We have a DJ for the cocktail hour and reception, but my FI and I would like to have a more intimate and romantic ceremony and we think we can achieve that with live music vs. using our DJ.  BUt we also don't want a whole string quartet, we were thinking at least 2 violin players, but this is an area we know nothing about so recommendations are needed!  Our budget for ceremony music $250-$300, is this even possible?

Thanks ladies!  Looking forward to your responses!!

agu101

I used Father John Michael O'Sullivan as my officiant.  He was awesome and everyone commented on what a great job he did.  He's a retired Catholic priest, but he can be as formal or as informal as you'd like.  We were able to make our ceremony a mix of some traditional Catholic readings and some non-traditional elements.  And he's very funny so he'll put you right at ease the day of.

For ceremony music, we used Shrewsbury String Quartet, but they also offer duo and trio options.  Some other musicians I had looked at included the Violin Trio, Royal Strings, Grace Note Music, and Princeton Music Connection.  You may also want to consider a solo harpist.  

gelaine22

I have a solo harpist for the ceremony and I am paying $400. I would love to know if you get TWO musicians for $250-300 bc $250 was what I originally wanted to spend.

ohmrs2014

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_recommendations-needed-officiant-and-ceremony-music?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:4b493d7c-1c92-4b52-ac10-20d11ccda706Post:8b108e31-8c4b-4ceb-bf0b-8b040771ef7b">Re: Recommendations Needed - Officiant and Ceremony Music</a>:
[QUOTE]I used Father John Michael O'Sullivan as my officiant.  He was awesome and everyone commented on what a great job he did.  He's a retired Catholic priest, but he can be as formal or as informal as you'd like.  We were able to make our ceremony a mix of some traditional Catholic readings and some non-traditional elements.  And he's very funny so he'll put you right at ease the day of..  
Posted by agu101[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>could you private message me is info or is easily found through google?</div><div>
</div><div>thanks!

</div>

blesstina

I am using Deena from Music For The Moment. Solo violin player $200
http://www.string-music.com

Giaspo

We used Fr. George Lucey to get married outside at our venue. Here is his church's website: http://www.stfrancisnj.org/our-staff.html I found this website to be very helpful: http://rentapriest.com/married-priest-directory.php?country=United+States&state=NJ&x=77&y=16 We wanted the same thing... As close to a priest and Catholic ceremony as we could, and the ability to modify it a bit. Fr. George was awesome! Feel free to PM me with any questions. Good luck!

agu101

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_recommendations-needed-officiant-and-ceremony-music?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:4b493d7c-1c92-4b52-ac10-20d11ccda706Post:61fc9cb9-1358-413e-bbf8-1be600fec884">Re: Recommendations Needed - Officiant and Ceremony Music</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Recommendations Needed - Officiant and Ceremony Music : could you private message me is info or is easily found through google? thanks!
Posted by 50ShadesofMe[/QUOTE]

<div>You've got a PM!</div>

ohmrs2014

Thanks for your input and help ladies!