Rev. Dr. Mike Dearing, an Indiana Wedding Officiant, assisted Angela Allen and Kevin Anspach become Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Anspach. The unique Ceremony of the Roses was perfect for the wedding location: Chateau Thomas Winery in Plainfield IN. Their four children stood up for them and  participated in the ceremony in a unique way.  Instead of a Unity candle, each of the children placed a red rose in a unity vase.  After the couple kissed, they placed the white roses, used to hold the rings, in the unity vase.  This was a unique touch to a unique ceremony.

We congratulate them and wish them all the best that life has to offer.

Rev. Dr. Dearing and his wife were professional, warm, and accommodating to our needs during the process of planning our wedding ceremony.  Our ceremony was organized well and had special touches that made our guests remember it.  I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a truly unique wedding ceremony.

08-07-10 Lindsey & Matthew Walker

White River Gardens at the Indianapolis Zoo

Rev. Dr. Mike Dearing, an Indiana Wedding Officiant, assisted Kim Gieras and Torin King become Kim and Torin King.  The unique Ceremony of the Roses was perfect for the wedding location: The Botanical Conservatory in Fort Wayne IN.  We congratulate them and wish them all the best that life has to offer..

Used with permission from Rev. Lisa Baker

Why is the cost of a good Wedding Officiant so high?

Strangely enough, many people worry more about planning the reception than they do the ceremony. However, the ceremony is the "heart" of the whole event. It is the ceremony where two individuals are married into one. It is the ceremony that marks the beginning of a new life together. It is the ceremony that is truly the "main event."

Many people are surprised by how "expensive" wedding fees are with wedding officiants. But, if you reflect on the realities, it is not surprising. A wedding officiant does not have a congregation. Therefore, they do not have a salary. They also do not have the built-in clientele of the church membership.

Wedding Officiants also have expenses of running a business...telephone, letterhead, stamps, etc.. The Officiant fees should be considered a very small but very necessary part of the overall expense of the occasion.  I am an Ordained Minister, and am not "called" to serve a church, so this pertains to myself as well.

My wedding ceremony services are moderately priced and competitive with other professional wedding ministers and officiants.  I find that I have been one of the most affordable Ministers to officiate wedding ceremonies in the State of Colorado. I'm trying to keep my wedding officiant rates affordable without compromising my priority of personalized attention to each couple and their own wedding.

Besides the initial consultation, I usually have several follow-up telephone or e-mail conversations with each couple. In some cases there is a rehearsal, where more details are worked out.  Then "at last" is the actual wedding ceremony. Then there is the official paperwork that must be filed. I usually put in at least 15 to 20 hours of work for each couple that I marry-- even more with a customized ceremony.

Each couple has my full undivided attention when I officiate -- I spend time and care on each couple and their wedding ceremony.

All in all it may seem that I do more work at my desk per wedding than at the service.  There is a lot of work involved in sorting through everything, but I thoroughly enjoy every minute.

So I hope this answers the quest of why is the cost so high.

Reverend Lisa Baker, O.M., Ph.D. Divinity