Ceremonies and Event Planning of the Finger Lakes

Many couples desire a meaningful, personalized ceremony outside of a religious context. Yet Civil Servants seldom offer the kind of personal attention to make your ceremony a one-of-a-kind expression of your relationship. We offer an exciting alternative.

Officiating

As the only legally Certified "Humanist Celebrant" in the Finger Lakes, (through The Humanist Society, an adjunct organization of the American Humanist Association) Barbara specializes in humanistic, inter-faith/inter-cultural, personalized wedding and commitment ceremonies. Even people who are theistic can relate to the common humanity expressed in humanistic, secular ceremonies. Her clients are as likely to be planning a destination wedding in the Finger Lakes as they are to be a resident of the area.

While she has never discriminated on the basis of sex or gender, after the June 2011 passing of the Marriage Equality Act, Barbara is delighted to be able to legally officiate at same-sex weddings. She is willing to travel throughout upstate New York to help couples have the kind of ceremony they have dreamed about.

Basic Ceremony Plan - $250.00

While a personalized one-of-a-kind ceremony is our strength, some couples need something shorter, quicker, and with less planning. We offer a basic ceremony for couples who want a simple, straightforward ceremony with few others in attendance. The ceremony is loving and affirming, but not personalized. Length is about 10 minutes. No advance meetings, rehearsal, or sound system are included.

Personalized Ceremony Package - $450.00

A highly customized ceremony based on your own, unique relationship. Barbara will talk with you about the traditions, elements, rituals, and people you want to include in your ceremony, and will take the time to get to know you as a couple. She will lead the rehearsal and help the wedding party feel comfortable and confident in their roles. This option includes at least one 2-3 hour face-to-face meeting, as much E-mailing and phone calling as necessary, and the provision of written materials to give you many creative ideas for your ceremony. The result? A highly personalized ceremony you will remember for years to come.

Please note that for an extra charge, we can also provide a sound system and sound engineer.

Personalized Ceremony with Advance Planning Package - $850.00

In addition to everything included in the Personalized Ceremony package, this option takes advantage off our relationships with other wedding professionals in the Finger Lakes, our knowledge of their services, and our event planning experience.

Based on your needs, we will recommend other service providers to you (e.g, caterers, photographers, DJs, musicians, florists, bakeries, etc.) and can help you identify just the right venues for your ceremony, reception, and rehearsal dinner. We are also available for guidance and advice throughout your planning process.

Personalized Ceremony with Advance Planning and "Day-Of" Coordination Package- $1250-$1850.

This plan offers you all of the above with a way for you to be worry-free on the day of your wedding or commitment ceremony. It consists of a $400.00, 10 hour advance coordination package and an optional on-site coordinator package with a price that varies depending on how much time and assistance you need.

Advance coordination includes meetings and phone calls to review all the details of your event, creation of detailed, customized itineraries for everyone involved and all contracted vendors; confirmation with all contracted vendors to review plans and itineraries; creation of detailed planning lists to make sure nothing is forgotten or overlooked; and other planning help you might need.

Based on your needs 0n-site coordination may include supervision of set up of ceremony and reception; making sure ceremony and reception follow itinerary timeline; help with guest needs; distributing final payments to other hired professionals; and other tasks, as needed. The cost is $150 for 1-4 hours; $350 for 4-8 hours; and $650 for 8-12 hours.

Other Wedding/Commitment Ceremonies Services

Consultation. If you want to design the service yourself but simply need help crafting your ideas, identifying resources, or planning the flow, we can meet with you on an hourly basis to help you realize your vision. Our rate is $50.00 an hour.

Writing and design. If you prefer to leave the final writing to someone else, we will thoughtfully incorporate traditions, rituals, and symbols from your personal background and history. We will work together until you are 100% satisfied. The cost of this service is $175.00. This includes an initial 1 ½ to 2 hour meeting. Additional meetings are $45.00 an hour.

Speech and Toast Writing. Let us put words in your mouth! If you or anyone involved in the ceremony will be called upon to say a few words and don’t know what to say or how to say it, we can help you write a speech or toast, uniquely suited to the person being honored.

Other Event Planning Services. If you need help to plan or orchestrate the whole occasion, beyond what is described here, we offer additional planning services, as well. Click here to read more.

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