Saying goodbye to a loved one is a very personal thing. I know this, as I have said goodbye to both my parents in different ways: my dad with a funeral service, my mother with a gathering at home. There is no right or wrong way; it is what your loved ones wanted or what you may have been left to decide.

It is a time when you can feel very overwhelmed. You’re grieving, and you may feel pressured. If the funeral was not preplanned, there are a few choices you can consider.

Contact the funeral home of your choice, then contact me to be your civil celebrant, or ask the funeral director to contact me to deliver a beautiful, personalized service at the funeral home.

Organize a direct cremation for your loved one and the legal documents with the funeral home. Then contact me to put together a beautiful memorial at any location of your choice at a time you choose. No rush, no stress to do anything in a hurry when your grief is raw. You can have a gathering or memorial at home, at a special location your loved one enjoyed; in fact, it’s all up to you.

Direct cremation and a memorial can make the financial costs much less. That may be one of the reasons why your family makes that choice, or it could be it just feels right for your family, or family members may want to hold their own memorial separately if, for some unfortunate reason, there is discord within the family, and that’s okay too.

For those who desire a unique and personalized experience on their special day, I offer a comprehensive package. This includes limitless phone consultations, one or two rehearsal sessions based on the scope of your event, potential adjustments to travel arrangements, and changes or additions to the vows.

I cater to all budgets, ensuring that every ceremony, whether intimate or grand, is executed beautifully. Each event is infused with love and dedication. Pricing is adjusted based on the event’s magnitude, guest count, and added features.

Rest assured, all legalities are managed by me, and the cost of your official marriage certificate, which usually incurs an extra charge, is covered in my pricing.

*Total Capture Photography By Stephanie Hill Is Available Exclusively To Abel 15 At A Separate Cost.*

What does the term “legal only” marriages mean?

All marriages are legal, you might say, and yes, they are, but I will explain what celebrants mean when they use this term (legals only).

For those of you who would like to get married without the expense of an extravagant ceremony, keep it simple, stress-free, and still say those all-important wedding vows to each other that you can’t wait to say to make your lifetime together legal and binding.

For those that want to keep it private and intimate, or for those that may be marrying for the first or second time around and do not necessarily want a registry office wedding, because you still would like to marry at a location of your choice, maybe a pretty park you love or in your beautiful garden at home.

It makes your love and life together exactly the same and as important as a big expensive ceremony; it just costs less.

All you need to do is give me one month’s notice, supply your photo ID, provide two witnesses over 18 years of age to be with us on the day, and I have 124 legal words that I am required to say at your ceremony. And guess what? You’re married! It’s that easy!

*Total Capture Photography By Stephanie Hill Is Available Exclusively To Abel 15 At A Separate Cost.*

A commitment ceremony could be what you are both considering, with no legalities involved, just love and commitment to one another within a beautiful ceremony.

You have loved one another through all the ups and downs of married life, and you would like to renew your vows. This time around, it would be even more special because your love has endured.

Maybe you have welcomed a baby, and the two of you would really love to hold a baby naming ceremony. What a beautiful, special way to celebrate your new life with family and friends and introduce your bundle of joy.