FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How long have you been officiating weddings?
I have been uniting couples in love for over 13 years and have performed more than 700 weddings for all couples.
What packages do you offer for your services?
So glad you asked!
DCC provides Exclusive Packages for couples seeking extensive ceremony planning, and preparation, which can include marriage preparation/couples coaching, ceremony design and layout, assistance writing personalized vows, full rehearsal coordination, and PA equipment rental.
When do we start the process of finding our officiant?
As soon as you book your venue, hire your officiant, but don't wait too long. Generally, the best timeframe to lock in is 8 - 12 months before the wedding.
Why shouldn't we save money and have our best friend get ordained and officiate our ceremony?
Ooooh, you just hit a sore spot because the best advice I could ever provide you is, "ALWAYS HIRE A PROFESSIONAL!"
If you honestly don't really care about what words are said at your ceremony or if it's only five minutes long and you just want to 'get it over with', with more emphasis on the reception, then you should absolutely sign up Uncle Steve or long-life friend, Sara to get ordained and officiate.
Or, you can let "The LAW of ATTRACTION" work in your favor to pull us together as a team. Because doing that means you are a couple who "get it". You understand that the experienced professional will set the stage for the entire day! She/he will set the tone for your entire marriage!
Uncle Steve or best friend Sara most certainly will not have the necessary flair or required bandwidth to make your ceremony stand out from all others, particularly if they use your wedding day as their "one and done" officiating experience.
See this article, "What is the Cost of a Wedding Officiant." *WeddingOfficiants.com per IAPWO (International Association of Professional Wedding Officiants)
Where do we look?
You've found your officiant! Generally, your venue will offer you a list of preferred vendors that they know, love, and trust. That's where you will find Daring Celebrations & Ceremonies at the top of the list!
Do we have to be religious to hire you?
Ahhh...always a big topic of discussion across the board. The word "religious" is so overused in this case in my humble opinion.
No, you do not need to be religious in order for me to marry you.
Transparency is key to my way of life---so here goes!
The majority of couples I talk with almost verbatim every time say to me, "We aren't very religious and we don't go to church."
Ok...that's fine, but do you have faith in something, anything? In general, I simply want to know if you believe in something--if you have faith. I do not care what religion you are/are not, what gender you are, how you identify, what race you are, if you go to church, how much money you make, or what football team you favor, so long as it is the Eagles or Steelers. I'll explain later when we meet in person. 😜 Lol! Honestly, I really am a lot of fun! I just happen to maintain strong convictions which I stand by.
I do not discriminate against other religions. I learn from them! I am a spiritual human who loves God. You may possibly use another reference.
Nothing less--nothing more, that is how I roll. Does this help?
Who would be our officiant?
Another great question! Our process is simple. We answer your initial inquiry by informing you of our company mission and process. A proposal includes a detailed overview of "the next steps." Once you give us the green light that you are ready to meet your potential officiant, we will align you with someone from our team, and she will contact you to schedule a virtual meet and greet! Easy-peezy!
How long do your ceremonies last?
DC&C ceremonies are, on average, 20 minutes long, from the moment the officiant begins to speak to the end of the pronouncement. They can be much shorter or longer depending on whether you want additional elements in your ceremony, such as a handfasting, unity candle ceremony, and more.
What tone should our ceremony be?
Ask yourselves, are we spiritual, faith-based, possibly more on the romantic side, or a combination of things? There's your answer. You'll know. Your officiant will guide you through the rest.
What type of ceremonies do you perform?
Each of us on the DC&C officiant team is unique. We come from different backgrounds and belief systems, but we're here because we strongly believe in equality by way of religion, gender, cultural differences, and more. We design ceremonies as secular, romantic, humanist, spiritual, non-denominational, and faith-based. Upon request, we will include specific rituals that are Christian, Judaism, Buddhist, Filipino, Taoism, and more.
Can we write our own vows and if so who can help if need be?
YES, yes, and yes! We love a challenge. We have several quick reference tools to share with you; however, we are delighted to work one-on-one with you to help you craft your feelings for your sweetie. This is where we shine!
Do you perform same sex ceremonies?
It's unfortunate that you have to ask this question. OF COURSE! YES!
We were founded on the core value of equality. DC&C embraces all couples. We have earned the badge of the LGTBQ+ for Equally Wed Pro and display it with love and pride.
What geographical areas do you perform ceremonies in?
DC&C home office is in Newark, Delaware; however, we directly support the quad-state area to include Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Southern New Jersey. We will absolutely travel with you cross-county, however. Keep in mind that our passports are updated-so don't rule us out if you are planning a wedding in Italy!
Do we meet in person? How do you capture our personality and know what we want in the ceremony?
So long as we are physically close in proximity, we insist on meeting in person, absolutely! Oftentimes, we cannot, though, so we have virtual meetings. We have a minimum of two meetings before the wedding; one at the meet and greet and one for the ceremony planning session about three months before the wedding. Early on, you are given a questionnaire that walks you through the ceremony order. This form is designed with open-ended questions about you as a couple and individuals. It also is an information gathering form for you to include your ceremony options and to indicate details about your wedding party. That's it in a nutshell. Our conversations and meetings are not limited to two, we are here for you!
Will you handle the rehearsal?
Rehearsal facilitation is not included in the cost. Several years ago, we tried to attend every rehearsal, but since then, our schedule has grown, and our availability has lessened. If your officiant is available on your rehearsal date, you can then hire her for a fee of $100. More on rehearsals.
When and how do we make payment?
A 50% non-refundable retainer is due within 10 days of your dated contract. The payment method preferred is Zelle, Venmo, or personal check. The balance is due one month before the wedding, on or before the due date.
What about the marriage license? Can you help with that?
We support our couples with many facts and processes that will help you along the way. The short answer is YES! In fact, we have created a "Ceremony Planning Toolkit" for every couple that will outline processes, facts, and "how-to steps" for acquiring your marriage license, plus many other elements. We will email you that kit when you come on board.
Is it customary to invite our officiant to the reception also?
Aw...you are so sweet! There is no etiquette regarding this. As your personal officiant, we have had the luxury and privilege to be with you and work through this process for several months. Aside from the ceremony itself, we consider those months "our special time" together. We appreciate the invitation but will graciously have to decline. Spend your celebration time with your family and guests! Thank you for the invite!
How can we book you?
Eureka! Just say the word! Call or email us right away, and we will check our availability. Otherwise, complete the standard contact form from our website, and we will reach out to you within 24 hours or sooner.
The reviews we've read about you are amazing! How do you make your ceremonies sound like you've known couples forever?
Ahh...the secret sauce, my friends! In addition to our heartfelt, authentic, bubbly personalities, we DO HAVE our own SIGNATURE. Over time, there are those venues we frequent and who know us well-they have confessed that when they find out that someone from our team is coming to officiate, they get excited! They know that there is a designated moment in every ceremony that is different and unique to the couple, and they can't wait to see us in action. Isn't that awesome? We really do get to know our couples very well. We ask fantastic, thought-provoking questions in the process that sets us all up for success. Just about every ceremony we do, guests approach us and say, "That was amazing-it was one of the best weddings we've ever attended. How long have you known the couple?" They are shocked when we say that it's been less than a year. Does that answer your question? Lol! Xoxo Don't forget to leave us a review and explain what you loved most about your experience!
