Weddings from the Heart
The Reverend Rebecca A. Nagy ~
Fee Schedule & Signed Agreement to Perform Wedding Ceremony
Couple’s Names:Date of Ceremony:
Location of Ceremony:Time:
Date of rehearsal:Director:Time:
Locations
I will *travel to any location to perform wedding ceremonies and vow renewals around the Charlotte area to include:
Backyards, parks, hotels, private homes, churches, gardens, lakes, etc. (*please see outside wedding weather restrictions)
Officiating Ceremony **$350+ *Travel if outside the Charlotte City Limits
- Consultation, design and authoring ceremony + 2 drafts if needed
- Customized wedding ceremony design (see pgs. 5&6)
- Keepsake Ceremony Booklet
- Attendance at Rehearsal **if not in conflict with weddings other prior booked rehearsals or distance
Officiating Ceremony **$400+ *Travel if outside the Charlotte City Limits
- Consultation, design and authoring ceremony + 2 drafts if needed
- Personalized wedding ceremony design (see pg. 8)
- Keepsake Ceremony Booklet
- Attendance at Rehearsal **if not in conflict with weddings, other prior booked rehearsals or distance
- I allow 60 minutes between my events for *travel time. If your ceremony or rehearsal is more than 15 minutes late in starting, and this causes interference with my getting to my next event on time, please know that I cannot guarantee your full service, my attendance or officiating, depending on how late you are. Payment in full is still due and receivable.
- I will arrive at the ceremony site the day of your wedding between 10 – 15 minutes of the starting time of the ceremony as indicated on your contract.
- If for any reason you change your time, you must check with me first – in writing (email) and phone to insure that my schedule will permit the change.
- *INCLEMENT WEATHER: means misting, drizzle, temp. below 60° or above 95° - It is neither comfortable nor healthy for you or your guests, so please always have alternate plans available if you are planning outdoor weddings.
**Please note: I am not a wedding director – I officiate your ceremony and I attend all rehearsals if possible; however, if another couple needs me to officiate at their wedding during the time of your rehearsal, I will not be able to attend your rehearsal, so please schedule your rehearsal time before 4pm on Fridays, otherwise your wedding director will have to handle it. Sat. rehearsals are normally not possible, as I’m sure you can understand. This is my busiest day. If you need suggestions for wedding directors, I have several who have proven consistent and professional over the many years I have been performing ceremonies in this area. I also have an extensive referral list for your other ceremony needs.
*Travel
To Concord, Monroe, Waxhaw/Weddington, Rock Hill, Mooresville, Cornelius, Davidson, or anywhere outside of the Charlotte City Limitswill be+ 1.00/mi round trip for both rehearsal and ceremony(first 10 mi. roundtrip free
Deposit
A (50%) Deposit is required before reservations for a specific date will be held, and is due no later than one week after our initial consultation. The deposit is non-refundable if the wedding is canceled for any reason.
The remainder of the fee is due NO LATER than 30 days before the ceremony (by mail).
Cancellation Policy
If your wedding is cancelled later than 90 days before the date of the wedding, there will be NO REFUND OF ANY FEES.
Deposit Received: $______Cash/Check# ______Balance Due:$______
Notes/Addendums:
Signed: ______Date:
Signed: Rev. Rebecca A. Nagy Date:
CeremonyPlanning Questionnaire
Please email back to me:
PLEASE TELL ME HOW YOU FOUND ME:
Wedding date: Ceremony Time:Is this a holiday or holiday weekend?
Date of Rehearsal:Time of Rehearsal:
Name of Wedding Director: Phone Number:
Wedding Directors E-Mail:
Brides Full Legal Name:
Do you use a nickname you want used in the ceremony?
Brides address:
Bride's Home Phone:cell phone: work #:ext.
Bride's E-Mail:
Employer: Position:
Bride's Date of Birth:Age on Wedding Day:Is This Your First Marriage?
Children?AgesNames:
Is the Bride: religious: spiritual: neither:
Groom's Full Legal Name:
Do you use a nickname you want used in the ceremony?
Grooms address:
Groom's Home Phone:cell phone: work #:ext.
Groom's E-Mail:
Employer: Position:
Groom's Date of Birth:Age on Wedding Day:Is This Your First Marriage?
Children?AgesNames:
Is the Groom: religious: spiritual: neither:
Is there any reason why you may not legally be married?
Site at Your Wedding: please circleallthat apply:
Inside -- Outside: Home -- Church -- Park -- Hotel -- Club -- Hall -- Museum -- Bed-And-Breakfast -- Historic Site
Other:
What State Is Ceremony in?What County Is Ceremony in?
Address of Ceremony Site:
Directions to Ceremony Site:
Site Contact Person:Phone Number & ext.:
Phone Number to Reach You on Your Wedding Day:
Let's Discuss Your Ceremony Preferences
Will your wedding be: Formal Semiformal Informal Casual
Is yours an Interfaith wedding? Yes No A Multicultural Wedding? Yes No
If so, please specify:
Would you like to include any specific traditions from your culture or religion?
Do you desire your ceremony to be: Secular-Civil a nonreligious ceremony only
Spiritual not heavily religious
Religious -- it's so what denomination
Other
Is it permissible to use the terms: Spirit Creator The Divine God Heavenly Father
Is it permissible to you include: Prayer? Blessing?
How many attendants are in your wedding party?BridesmaidsGroomsmen
Are their children in your wedding party?Ring bearer/sAge/sFlower Girl/sAge/s
Additional members of wedding party:
Additional Notes:
Will Someone Accompany the Bride down the Aisle?Who?
Bride:
Tell me about your parents: Are they together/ separated/divorced? Names:
Siblings: Names and their spouses if applicable:
Groom:
Tell me about your parents: Are they together/ separated/divorced? Names:
Siblings: Names and their spouses if applicable:
Wedding Ceremony Order of Service
Many couples have used this as a typical order of events for a wedding ceremony. Since it is your wedding, you should feel free to add, delete, or alter the sequence of these events. When I meet with you to plan your wedding, we will discuss many of the options available to you. This will makeyour ceremony customized personal and uniquely yours.
- Guests are seated (Prelude music playing)
- Honored guests enter and are seated
- Grandparents/Parents of the Bride and Groom are seated
- Reverend Nagy, Groom and Best Man enter and proceed to the front
- The Bridal party enters and proceeds to the front
- The Ring Bearer and/or Flower Girl enter, proceed to front
- Music concludes for bridal party
- Reverend Nagy asks the audience to rise and welcome the Bride
- Music begins for the Bride’s entrance (Processional music)
- The Bride and her escort enter, and are met by the Groom
- Bride’s music concludes.
- Opening Welcome and commentary by Reverend Nagy
- Presentation of Bride by Escort
- Commemorative Candle(Optional)
- Opening Prayer/Invocation
- First reading (religious or romantic literature -- optional)
- Musical interlude (solo, etc.)
- Reverend Nagy's Address
- Second reading (optional)
- Special music (musical interlude, or musical and vocal performance -- optional)
- "Declarations Of Intent" by Bride and Groom (I Do’s)
- Exchange of wedding vows (traditional or customized)
- Blessing of the rings/Exchange of wedding rings (traditional or customized)
- Audience recites Lord's Prayer (Roman Catholic or Protestant version -- optional)
- Minister's prayer of blessing/benediction for the Bride and Groom
- Bride and Groom light Unity Candle -- or other ritual (music in background -- optional)
- Final commentary
- Bride and Groom kiss
- Introduction of the new couple by the Minister
- Recessional music begins
- Bride and Groom exit
- Bridal party exits.
- Minister's instructions to the audience.
- Signing of the marriage license
- Pictures!
Brief Explanationsof Traditions You May Want To Add To Your Ceremony
(Please check your choices)
Commemorative Candle
In memory of your loved ones who have passed to spirit that normally would have been at this happy event – a parent, grandparent, a close relative or friend – and/or those who could not travel to with us today. This is done with reverence and respect in no way detracts from the joyful event of the day. If the wedding is outdoors, we can simply pause for moment of silence.
You may also does have a vase of flowers with a note in your program.
Thanking Parents
At an appropriate time in the ceremony, I would make mention of how you love and appreciate the support of your parents. We could also mention your siblings and their spouses if they are married. I would remind them that is their blood that is joined as well. This is a good way to include the families. I usually do this as part of my address.
Children’s Vows
If you are creating a new family you may want to include the children in the exchange of vows as well, especially if they are younger. This gives them an extra sense of security as the two families are blended into one. I have several ideas for you to look at as we design your ceremony.
Unity Candle Ceremony
The unity candle lighting ceremony is becoming more and more common in today’s weddings. The ceremony symbolizes the pledge of unity between the bride and groom and the merging of two families.It usually occurs after the exchanging of rings and before the couple is pronounced husband and wife. Usually the mothers light their tapers before taking their seats, usually to a special piece of music. When the bride and groom light the center candle, a song is sung or played. They either take a few minutes up by the altar to exchange a few words or they can take a flower that was placed by the candle and present it to their mothers.
If you are creating a new family you may want to include the children in the lighting of the Unity Candle. Often this is done by having the bride and groom light the taper for the children and then everyone lighting the center candle together. This is a good way to involve children from a previous marriage.
Unity Sand Ceremony
If you choose not to use a Unity Candle during your ceremony, the sand ceremony can be a beautiful and meaningful addition to your vows. Simply find three containers, one for you and your fiancé to pour the sand into, two for each of you to pour the sand from. You can find colored sand at most craft stores.
Rose Ceremony
The Rose Ceremony is simple yet profoundly moving. The bride and groom exchange two red roses, symbolizing the giving and receiving of their love for each other throughout their entire married life. The Rose Ceremony also conveys how to use therose and its symbolism in difficult times in order to forgive each other.Your mothers may also be included as a sign of respect and gratitude.
Blessing Cup/Wine Ceremony/Unity Cup
Similar in concept to a Unity Candle in the Christian Tradition, or the Kiddush Cup in the Jewish Tradition, the Wine Ceremony is common to many faiths and traditions and will be customized according to your wishes. In general: The Wine Ceremony can be divided into two parts. The presenting of the two individual carafes filled with red and white wine to be placed on the table near the larger empty carafe during the processional. Then part two the pouring of the two separate wines into the empty carafe and drinking the combined wine by the wedding couple. Part two follows the exchange of vows. The ceremony can be one part with the wine already sitting on the table and the couple just combining the wines before drinking them.
Part One can take place during the Wedding Processional with one of the attendants on both sides carrying the red or white carafe and placing it on the table. Or a bit earlier the parents of the couples come forward with a bottle of wine and fill the smaller carafes already on the table just before they are seated and then the wedding processional starts.
Breaking of Glass
A ceremony incorporating the stepping on a goblet at the end of the ceremony and breaking it. The guests all shout “Mozel Tov” which mean “Good Luck”, when the groom breaks the glass. Traditionally a Jewish practice.
Jumping Broom
A typically African-American tradition in which the couple, when about to leave the ceremony, jump over a decorated broom which in place on the floor in front to them as they leave. This symbolizes “sweeping away the old” and entering into their new lives together.
Wreath Ceremony
This wreath symbolizes the vows of marriage that Bride and Groom have taken. It will decorate their home and remind them of the love shared by all of us here today.The wreath is made from ivy, a traditional symbol of Matrimony and Friendship. I will explain all the symbolism of the wreath and the various flowers that can be used to incorporate into the wreath, which would be brought up by various members of the family or friends. A great way to include many people in the ceremony, as well as including nature.
Hand Fasting
This is a typically Celtic tradition and where the term “tying the knot” came from. After your vows, I loosely wrap cords or ribbons, which you provide, around you hands, which are held in left hand to left hand and right hand to right hand (forming the symbol of eternity) and talk about how you are now bound and this know shall never be undone.
Congregational Envisionment
This is done at the end of the ceremony when I have you face your guests and family and ask that they support you and your marriage. It is a nice way to include everyone.
Vow Renewals for Couples in the Congregation
This is a nice way to include those who are married who are attending your wedding and have them share in a deeper way in your joy.
Any Other Rituals/Special Traditions Not Included Above:
For Full Service Ceremony Only
Please Let Me Know How You Feel About Each Other And Be As Detailed As You Can Be
(I will use these sentiments in designing my address and opening remarks -- it is up to you if you fill it out or not)
Bride:what do you think is important to make your marriage successful?
Please tell me why you love this man; what are his strengths and the qualities you love about him? What draws you to him?
Groom; what do you think is important to make your marriage successful?
Please tell me why you love this woman; what are her strengths and the qualities you love about her? What draws you to her?
Your Very Special Vows
(please see vows in reading ideas at the end of this document)
Please advise me as to the vows you have chosen no later thanone month before your wedding.
Do you desire to write your own vows? (Check One) Bride: yes no
Groom: yes no
If you have chosen to vows provided by me, what is the number of the vow you have chosen?
Bride:vow # -- just as it is
Or, I would like these changes added:
Groom: vow #-- just as it is
Or, I would like these changes added:
How do you wish to be introduced at the end of your ceremony?
Note:
- If you want to surprise each other with your vows, or comments, do not list them here but e-mail them to me separately.
- After your wedding, I would appreciate your e-mailing me your feedback about how you believe I have served you or how I can make my wedding ministry better.
- May I use your photo, first names or comments on my website?
Bride's InitialsGroom's Initials
Thank you!
**please note that these sheets can be e-mailed back to me so that you can take as many lines if you want
1
Reverend Rebecca A. Nagy
13800 Woody Point Road Charlotte, NC 28278 704-588-4623
SOME IDEAS TO GET YOU STARTED
Vow Selections:
(You may wish to add your own embellishments)
Vow No. 1 - Bride & Groom - Traditional
I, Bride/Groom, take you/thee Groom/Bride, to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; and I promise to be faithful to you until death do us part.
Vow No. 2a - Bride to Groom
I, Bride, take you/thee, Groom,
to be my lawfully wedded husband,
secure in the knowledge that you will be
my constant friend,
my faithful partner in life,
and my one true love.
On this special day,
I give to you
in the presence of God and these witnesses
my sacred promise to stay by your side as your wife
in sickness and in health,
in joy and in sorrow, as well as
through the good times and the bad.
I promise to love you without reservation,
comfort you in times of distress,
encourage you to achieve all of your goals,
laugh with you and cry with you,
grow with you in mind and spirit,
always be open and honest with you,
and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.
Vow No. 2b- Groom to Bride
I, Groom, take you/thee, Bride,
to be my lawfully wedded wife,
knowing in my heart that you will be
my constant friend,
my faithful partner in life,
and my one true love.
On this special day,
I give to you
in the presence of God and these witnesses
my sacred promise to stay by your side as your husband
in sickness and in health,
in joy and in sorrow, as well as
through the good times and the bad.
I promise to love you without reservation,
honor and respect you,
provide for your needs as best I can,
protect you from harm,
comfort you in times of distress,
grow with you in mind and spirit,
always be open and honest with you,
and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.
Vow No. 3
All that I am and all that I have
I offer to you, my beloved,
in joy
in service
in sacred union.
Vow No. 4
All that I dream and all I desire
I ask from you, my beloved,
in thanksgiving
in anticipation
in celebration
Vow No. 5
All that I have been and all that I shall be
I bring into our union, my beloved
for your blessing
for your clear reflection
for your sacred witness
Vow No. 6
All that I am and all that I have
I entrust to your heart, by beloved,
on this sacred day
and tomorrow
and always
Vow No. 7
I, ___, choose you, ___
in the presence of this company
to be my wife/husband/partner/mate
from this time forward.
to love you, to be a comfort and safe haven in your life,
To Hold you close,
To listen deeply when you are sad or angry,
To learn compassion with you,
To nourish you with my gentleness, to uphold you with my strength,
To love your body as it ages,
To weigh the effects of the words I speak and of the things I do,
To never take you for granted, but always to give thanks for your presence
As our lives unfold together, I promise to be faithful,
To always express my emotional truth and embrace you as both teacher and student as we do what life calls us to, individually and in relationship
Vow No. 8
I give you my love,
I give you my heart
I give you my hope
I give you with joy from the coffers of my precious time
the rest of the days of my life;
To delight in your body, even as it grows old,
To nourish your mind
To be at home with your spirit
the way a star is at home in the sky;
To celebrate your whole being with joy
as the sun emblazons the sea with its light;
To know you, love you, hold you, warm you
Through all the long days of our lives.
Until we both shall grow old
and the sight falls from our eyes and our beings fall from life to light;
I choose to go with you always
from this day until the end of our days
as your adoring husband (wife/mate).