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Below are a few important questions asked of our resident Officiant, that we feel perhaps might help other engaged couples when
choosing their wedding officiant...
Questions answered by our very own Wedding Officiant & Minister Carrie Rivera.
1 How many weddings do you perform each month?
Sort of a hard question to answer since the answer is entirely dependent on the the couples personal preferences and needs.
2. Can we help create the ceremony?
Yes, in fact I encourage it. Typically, when a couple gets married in the traditional church and steepal setting, they often times do not have any
say or choices as far as their ceremony is concerned. However, since Chicago JOP is not the a-typical "church", we do provide each couple with a
lovely Wedding Salon, modernly decorated, to get married in, as well as many ceremonial choices to choose from. Couples that hire me to be their
officiant, are given a customized Wedding Ceremony Plan, which is specifically tailored to each couples needs. Usually, at the FREE wedding
consultation I provide each couple interested in my services, I explain all the wonderful details of how we can both create their perfect wedding
ceremony together, based only on the couples religious or secular attributes, traditions, customs and personal needs.
3. Do you permit flash photography to be taken during the ceremony?
Yes, and most professional photographers will be able to take wonderful pictures of your wedding, without interfering in or with the ceremonial
process itself.
4. Do you have a back up just in case you are unable to attend and perform the ceremony?
Yes. Back-up officiants are either clergy or judges who are excellent substitutions, and understand each of our couples needs.
5. Do you book more than one wedding a day? If so, how many?
Yes, but the number of weddings I perform in a day, depends on the actual wedding "date" itself. For example, these popular dates: 1-11-11,
4-11-11, 7-11-11, 9-11-11, and 11-11-11, I must have married up to 10 couples on each of these days, back to back, so not a typical
number of how many couples I may marry in any given day. So, the number of weddings I do in a day, is not only determined by the couples
preference, but the popularity of the actual "date". We often get many RSVP's from couples for these dates, who either wish to be wed here in our
Wedding Salon or off-site at the couples choice of venue. Which is why couples should RSVP with us as soon as possible, to hold their wedding date
and time so they don't get bumped by another couple.
6. What will you wear?
Depends on the wedding package chosen by the couple, and often varies from either business to casual attire. Please visit our Couples Pix to see a
few pictures of me and other couples I have married.
7. What is your total fee? Do you charge extra to travel or file the marriage license?
All of our pricing for services is listed on the Wedding Ceremony Packages page. There is no charge for filing the marriage license as once the
wedding ceremony is performed, I'm legally charged with filling out the marriage license (of which a copy is provided to the couple) then mailing it
(the original) off to the clerk's office of the county in which the license was issued, within 14 days after the marriage.
8. Do you guarantee that you will perform our ceremony?
At Chicago JOP, we use written contracts which are clear and easy to understand, which specifically states our services, and assures each couples
that hires us, that we are not only very serious about our business, but will abide by our written contract terms. Once we have a signed contract,
we (and the couple) are legally bound to the terms set therein. We do guarantee that I (or a back-up officiant, in case of an emergency), will
marry each couple on their very special day, just the way they wanted it.
9. Do you have any restrictions on readings or music?
Nope, not at all. In fact, I encourage each couple to incorporate their specific needs, whether its religious or secular, into their ceremony. I also
have, what I call, my Big Blue Wedding Book, where I provide contracted couples with lots of "homework" or samples of all that make up a
wedding ceremony, including various pieces of scripture readings, prayers and music, and so much more!
10. Will you oversee our rehearsal and is there a fee?
If the couple desires a rehearsal, yes, I can certainly accommodate. There is no fee if the rehearsal is conducted in our Wedding Salon which is large
enough to hold wedding parties (including guests) up to 20-25. However, if the rehearsal is off-site, there may be a small fee which depends on
the location.
11. Do you marry same sex couples?
Our Wedding Ceremony / Event Packages are available to any and all engaged couples seeking to be legally wed, or who want to have their bridal
party here! We do not discriminate, and absolutely thrilled that as of June/2011, same sex couples can now be legally wed. (We look forward to
the day that DOMA is either revised or all together eliminated!)
12. Is Chicago JOP a government office or in any way actual judges or justices of the peace?
Chicago Justice of the Peace Inc is our company name ONLY. We provide Wedding & Event Services that is unrelated to any official office. I, Carrie
Rivera, am NOT an actual judge, nor a "justice of the peace". Nor am I or our non-profit corporation affiliated with any governmental office or
entity. Chicago Justice of the Peace Inc or Chicago JOP, is our company name ONLY. We are a small privately owned parachurch. I have been
ordained a minister, and our company has been legally chartered through Universal Ministries in Milford, IL. Our credentials are always readily
available for inspection in person.
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