Contract Concent | Minister Weddings

ELECTRONIC CONSENT

MINISTER WEDDINGS WEDDING OFFICIANT CONTRACT

CEREMONY AGREEMENT

This Agreement for Wedding Officiant Services (the "Agreement") is made between Minister Weddings (the "Officiant") and the Couple identified above as Bride and Groom with respect to the Couple's wedding scheduled as detailed above (the "Ceremony").

SERVICES:

Officiant hereby agrees to render Wedding Officiant Services for Couple at the date, time and location as specified in this Agreement.

OFFICIANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND GUEST GUIDELINES FOR YOUR WEDDING:

The officiant’s fee covers the officiation of your wedding ceremony and the pre-ceremony consultations specified in this agreement. It’s crucial for you as a couple to adhere to the maximum guest limit established in this contract. Should you wish to invite more guests than originally agreed, please be aware that an extra fee will apply based on the new guest count package, reflecting adjustments to what you've already paid. For more details on available packages and guest limits, please visit our services page at Ministerweddings.com/services. This additional fee must be settled in full before we sign the marriage license.

SCHEDULE:

The “Ceremony Start Time" listed above shall be considered the actual Ceremony Start Time and not Guest Arrival or Invitation time. Couple agrees that the Ceremony shall begin according to the Package Arrangement "Ceremony Start Time" as specified in the Agreement. Couples shall incur a Late start fee as noted in the Late Fees section of this contract, payable before the signing of the marriage license.

Officiant shall plan and make every effort to arrive 30 minutes or more prior to the Ceremony Start Time listed above. If you have opted in the wedding speaker rental the Officiant will arrive with ample time to conduct installation and sound checks. Officiant shall not be held liable for unavoidable delays due to mechanical breakdowns, unexpected traffic delays, road closures, etc. Unless otherwise specified, Officiant may leave at any time following the conclusion of the ceremony.

CHANGES:

Changes to this Agreement including, but not limited to the date, time, and/or location of the Ceremony must be communicated in writing by Couple and approved by Officiant in writing, email or text, at least thirty (30) days prior to the Ceremony.

FEES AND RETAINER:

A non-refundable retainer (Deposit) of 50% of the Ceremony fee is to be paid upon execution of this Agreement at which point Officiant will commence services. The full balance of any unpaid fees including ceremony fees, rehearsal fee, if applicable, and/or travel fees, if applicable, shall be paid (30) Days prior to the start of the Ceremony. If Couple fails to remit payment as specified, Officiant shall have the right to immediately terminate this Agreement without further obligation to refund money, excluding the aforementioned retainer, or to perform Services at the Ceremony.

Retainer (Deposit) is transferable to another date and time as long as Couple requests change in writing at least seven (7) days prior to the Ceremony date and Officiant is available. If Officiant is not available at the new date and/or time, all fees paid in excess of the Retainer will be refunded upon request from Couple. Officiant shall find a suitable replacement if unable to attend on the new date and time.

LATE FEES:

No refunds will be issued if the Officiant is unable to conduct the ceremony due to delays that exceed the specified timeframe.

In the event that the ceremony commences 30 minutes or more after the scheduled time, the Officiant reserves the right to conduct a brief 5 min ceremony instead of the originally agreed-upon ceremony.

Minister Weddings and its Ministers shall not be liable for any expenses related to the ceremony or reception, nor for any damages that may arise.

If the Officiant has to wait beyond 29 minutes after the scheduled start time, a fee of $139.80 will be charged for each additional half-hour of waiting. Please ensure that any extra charges are fully paid prior to signing the marriage license.

Ultimately, the decision to wait longer than 30 minutes is at the Officiant's discretion, aiming to keep your special day running smoothly.

TRAVEL AND ADDITIONAL EXPENSES:

Any travel exceeding 50 miles (round trip) from The Officiant's home address will incur a charge of $0.70 per mile (round trip). We will determine mileage using Google Maps. Additionally, The Couple will be responsible for any toll expenses. Alongside the mileage charge, there will also be an added fee of $0.76 per minute of travel time. For a quick estimate, please refer to the estimate calculator at www.minsterweddings.com/services.

Additional travel expenses may include a one- or two-night hotel stay if the rehearsal and/or wedding are more than 90 miles away for the night before the wedding. These details MUST be discussed prior to signing the contract.

Hotel accommodations are required for any of the following conditions:

a) If the wedding is before11:00 a.m. and more than 90miles away (for the night before the wedding);

b) If the wedding is after 6:30 p.m. and more than 90 miles away (for the night of the wedding)

c) If the wedding is more than 90 miles away and service is requested for rehearsal the night before the wedding.

All travel expenses should be included in the total ceremony cost and need to be paid (30) days prior to the ceremony date.

ADDITIONAL FEES:

If the Ceremony location charges a fee for parking or admission, Couple is responsible to have Officiant's parking or admission fee validated or to provide cash to cover the parking or admission fee when Officiant arrives at the venue.

FORMS OF PAYMENTS:

May be made by: Credit Card, Debit Card via PayPal &*Zelle- (note: Zelle no receipts) *-

HOLIDAY FEE

A fee of $100 will be applied for all holiday reservations, which includes cherished occasions like Labor Day, Memorial Day, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington's Birthday, New Year’s Day, Halloween, Independence Day (July 4th), Thanksgiving, Easter, and any other notable celebrations. This fee applies to both the ceremony and rehearsal, so please keep this in mind while planning your special day on these holidays. We appreciate your understanding and are here to help make your wedding unforgettable! Please visit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/#url=2025 for full list of holidays.

CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS:

Cancellations must be submitted in writing. Should you, as the Couple, provide written notice of cancellation at least seven (7) days prior to the ceremony date, we will refund all fees paid beyond the Retainer. If cancellation occurs with less than seven (7) days' notice, you will be obligated to pay the full amount for services rendered, excluding any applicable travel fees. In the absence of written notice of cancellation, you will still be liable for full payment for all services, including any travel fees that may apply. If a written notice of cancellation is provided, we will strive to make reasonable efforts to re-book the ceremony date and time, accommodating any unforeseen circumstances or changes.

In the unlikely event that the Officiant is unable to perform the ceremony due to unforeseen circumstances (such as hospitalization, accidents, or transportation issues), we will take all necessary steps to arrange for a replacement Officiant at no additional cost to you. Should the Officiant need to cancel this contract for services, you will receive a full refund for any fees paid.

It is important to note that all ceremony scripts and preparatory materials remain the intellectual property of the Minister Weddings. The couple is granted a one-time license to utilize the custom script for their wedding ceremony. In the event of cancellation, the couple agrees not to use any of the materials created by the Officiant for their own purposes or for use with another officiant.

The couple, collectively referred to as the 'Client,' agrees that both parties are jointly and individually responsible for all payments set forth in this contract, irrespective of any separation or dispute that may arise between them. The Officiant assumes no responsibility for any internal disputes regarding payment.

MARRIAGE LICENSE:

It is the Couple's responsibility to acquire a valid marriage license, if applicable, in the state and county where the Ceremony will take place and have the marriage license at the Ceremony when the Services are rendered. Couple agrees that failure to have a valid marriage license at the time of the Ceremony means that the Officiant cannot legally perform the ceremony. Officiant may at his discretion perform a symbolic ceremony, which will have no legal merit. The Couple agrees to provide witnesses (when necessary), 18 years of age or older, who must be present at the Ceremony and who must sign the marriage license.

In the event that a valid marriage license is not presented at the ceremony—due to reasons such as forgetting the license or it being issued from the incorrect county—the couple may arrange a follow-up meeting. This meeting will include the couple, witnesses (if necessary), and the officiant at a time that is mutually agreeable. Please note that this service will incur an additional fee of $139.80.

Officiant will complete and sign the marriage license on the day of the Ceremony. The Couple will return the completed marriage license within ten (10) business days to the county clerk of the county in which the license was issued. In the event the Couple cannot get this returned (i.e., honeymoon). The Officiant, if contracted, will use a courier service with signature required to return the documents or go in person to the counties listed below. In the event the marriage license is not received by the county clerk; Officiant will cooperate with the Couple and county clerk to resolve the issue. Cost for replacement license, if any, will be assumed by the Couple. The Officiant does not maintain copies of the marriage licenses.

ADDITIONAL TERMS:

If the Ceremony includes a sand ceremony, unity candle, flower ceremony and/or any other special ceremony tradition, Couple is responsible for furnishing all equipment needed to perform such tradition(s).

IMAGE RELEASE:

1. **Grant of Rights**: The Couple hereby irrevocably grants Minister Weddings the right and permission to utilize, publish, and display photographs, videos, or other media featuring the Couple's likeness, which were captured during or in connection with the ceremony. This permission extends to commercial purposes related to the advertising and promotion of Minister Weddings services, including, but not limited to, the Officiant's website, social media platforms, and promotional materials.

2. **Waiver of Rights**: The Couple waives any right to inspect or approve the finished product and releases the Officiant from any claims for compensation or royalties connected to the use of their likeness.

3. **Third-Party Photography**: The Officiant agrees to seek permission and provide proper credit to any professional photographer whose images may be utilized for commercial purposes.

4. **Opt-Out Option**: Should the Couple wish to withhold consent for the use of their likeness, they may communicate their refusal in writing, via text, or email.

The Couple acknowledges that the Officiant is permitted to use any images and narratives from the ceremony for promotional means, including advertisement and display on websites or blogs, unless the Couple specifies otherwise. The Couple waives any rights to payment, royalties, or any other form of compensation for the use of the images or stories.

INJURY/LOSS BY GUESTS:

Officiant assumes no responsibility for injury, damages or losses incurred by the Couple or Ceremony attendees. Officiant also assumes no responsibility for any food, beverage, Floral arrangements, decorative items, either personal or professional, brought by anyone prior to, during, or after the Ceremony. Couple agrees to be responsible for all guests and attendees at the Ceremony and the acts of the guests and attendees. Couple agrees to pay for any and all injury or damages arising out of the Ceremony, except to the extent of any negligence or misconduct by Officiant.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY:

Couples agree that to the fullest extent permitted by law, Officiant shall not be liable for any claims for emotional distress, mental anguish, consequential damages, lost profit, loss of enjoyment, lost revenues, replacement costs, compensatory damages and/or punitive damages, whether or not foreseeable and/or arising from any negligent act or omission on the part of any person. Officiant's liability for any claim, breach or damage by reason of any act or omission shall be limited to repayment of sums paid by Couples only.

INDEMNITY:

Couples agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Officiant for any injury, property damage, liability, claim or other cause of action arising out of and/or related to the actions of the Couple or the Couple's guests.

FORCE MAJEURE:

No party to this Agreement shall be liable in damages or have the right to terminate this Agreement for any delay or default in performing hereunder if such delay or default is caused by conditions beyond its control including, but not limited to, acts of God (such as natural disasters), fire, Government restrictions (including the denial or cancellation of any export or other necessary license), wars, insurrections and/or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of the party whose performance is affected. Normal weather occurrences including, but not limited to, rain or snow are not covered by this paragraph. If the Ceremony cannot take place at the date, time, and place specified above due to an event described in the previous paragraph or the sudden serious illness or injury of either of the Couple, the Officiant shall make every reasonable effort to reschedule the Ceremony, in which case all fees owed will be applied to the rescheduled Ceremony.

GOVERNING LAW:

The validity, construction and enforceability of this Agreement shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Illinois.

ENTIRE CONTRACT:

This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties, and supersedes all prior Agreements whether oral or written concerning the subject matter of this Agreement.

SEVERABILITY:

In the event that any portion of this contract is found to be legally unenforceable, all remaining provisions of the contract shall remain in effect.

RELEASE FROM FILING OF THE SIGNED LICENSES:

The Couple will be responsible for the timely return and filing of the of the signed licenses to the County Clerk, releasing the “Officiant” from these duties. Unless contracted otherwise. (The benefit for the Couple to present the papers is that they will be able to get the final Legal Licenses at that time). Contract Fees: This contract and these fees are for the services of the Officiant only. Chapel, Officiant, and all other Services (Planner, Caterer, Photographer, etc.) are all separate agreements and fees.

Contract Fees:

This contract and these fees are for the services of the Officiant only. Chapel, Officiant, and all other Services (Planner, Caterer, Photographer, etc.) are all separate agreements and fees.

Officiant Fees & Packages:

1) Full Package $450.00 Guest Maximum 50-200

1.7 Hours of: preparation(34min), zoom meetings (34min), script writing(34min), script Fully Personalized(34min), administration (34min). $191
Travel time and Distance round trip: