You've Got Questions?  I've got Answers!

Q:  HOW DO WE GET A MARRIAGE LICENSE?
Getting Married in New Jersey?
Here's the information: Click here: NJ MARRIAGE LICENSE
Getting Married in New York? or New York City?
Here's the information: Click here: NY MARRIAGE LICENSE

For your license you will need my address:
Rev. Mitchell S. Maged
70 Oneida Ave.
Oakland, NJ 07436


Q: WHAT IS YOUR FEE? HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE?
     It's been said: "A boring and dull wedding minister is expensive if you pay him $10 but a memorable, terrific wedding minister is priceless".   I agree 100%!  You certainly pay what you get for.  And do you really want a "budget ceremony"?

My fee varies by the location of your ceremony:
In New Jersey: My fees range from $450-$650.  The further from Bergen County I need to travel, the higher the rate.
In New York/Westchester/Manhattan & Long Island/Pennsylvania:  $600+

I accept cash, certified checks, , and money orders.  I do not accept chickens, any other poultry or cattle as payment.

Q: WHY ARE YOU SO CHEAP? or WHY ARE YOU SO EXPENSIVE?
     I know that there are local ministers who charge less ( $250)- and there are ministers around who charge a lot more - up to $2000!
But I honestly believe that money is not the only issue. It’s a matter of trust and confidence with the person you hire.

     My mother always told me "If you buy the best and you'll never be disappointed." I believe that the bottom line is trust.  I celebrate the best wedding ceremonies possible. My goal is to make you comfortable, relaxed and confidant that you've hired the best minister for your wedding.

Q: ARE YOU PLANNING A DESTINATION WEDDING?
Although I am happy to accommodate long distance travel (if my schedule permits), you may be able to find an officiant at your destination. However, there have been many occasions when I have been asked to "pretty please consider driving three and a half hours to perform our wedding!"  I have, and yes, I am very flattered to be asked.  Not to mention I do enjoy cranking up the radio on the open road.   If it's a really cool place, I may bring along my wife! :) If the destination is longer than a 3 hour drive I will need hotel accommodations.  Not to fear, I neither open the mini-bar nor order movies on demand. Please call or email with the address of the venue for a more precise quote.

Please note:
I am proud to offer a discount for active members of the military.  Also, under special circumstances, my fees are flexible.  
Please note: There is a small additional charge for my attendance at your rehearsal.

                    If you like what you're reading...call me!  201-410-6834.

Q: HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD WE MEET YOU?
     I usually book wedding ceremonies at least 6-8 months in advance. 
To be sure that I'm available I suggest that you contact me as soon as you've selected the venue where your ceremony will take place.  But that doesn't mean I'm not available this weekend.  Call me and find out if I'm available.   Some couples book me up to a year in advance.  I'm already taking reservations for weddings through 2013.  Please, be sure to call me while you're in the early stages of your wedding planning.  I hate to say "I'm not available".

Q: CAN YOU MARRY US THIS WEEKEND? THIS AFTERNOON? NEXT MONTH?
     Definitely, maybe.  There will always be couples with last minute plans. Call me and I'll do my very best to help. All you need is a license and 2 witnesses.  I maintain an office in Fairfield, NJ.  In case you just want someone to sign your license, along with 2 witnesses, I offer this 'drop in' service. 

Q: WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING?
     You may be surprised that this is my full time job. This is not a hobby. This is not something i do "on the side".  This is my life's calling, my joy! I'm a minister year round performing weddings, funerals, new home blessings, etc. I work every day preparing ceremonies, meeting people and venues. I'm available every day to talk to you. I return all phone calls within 24 hours. My office is open from Noon to 9:00 P.M. 7 days a week.

Q: HOW DO WE PAY YOU?
     I ask for a deposit of 50% of my fee when you decide to hire me.  You can pay your deposit with a personal check, credit card, money order or cash.  The balance is due the day of the wedding. I ask that on your wedding day your balance is paid (before the ceremony).  I hate to chase after people during cocktail hour.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS?
     MitchTheMinister@aol.com

Q: DO WE NEED TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE LICENSE?
     Don't forget to bring it to the ceremony! Don't write on or alter your license once the Registrar clerk has issued it! After the ceremony I will file the license, give you a copy (the pink copy), and I keep the blue copy for my permanent records.

Q: IF WE HIRE YOU, DO WE GET YOU?
     Sounds silly, but it's a good question.  The answer is: Absolutely!  I am not a 'group' or an 'organization' that hires people to perform wedding ceremonies and then calls them 'ministers'.
In the event of a dire emergency I work closely with three other ministers. I will be able to find someone great to perform the ceremony we have constructed together, just in case. In fact, if they have an emergency situations, other ministers often rely on me to help them.  You will never be left at the altar.

Q: WHAT IS PRE-CANA? DO WE NEED TO ATTEND IT?
     Pre-Cana is a series of classes required by the Catholic Church. You only need Pre-Cana if you are being married within the Catholic Church by a priest. I do not require any pre-wedding counseling.

Q: DO YOU PERFORM CIVIL UNIONS OF SAME SEX PARTNERS?
     Yes, I do! New Jersey has passed a Civil Union law that allows same sex partners to have the same rights and benefits as those who enter into marriage. As of February 19, 2007, you can obtain a civil union license with the registrar in either partner's hometown. I can perform a legal ceremony and file all the necessary paperwork with the state.

Q: IS A REHEARSAL REALLY NECESSARY?
     Couples have different feelings on this issue. Some couples find that a rehearsal is necessary and feel it is an important 'part of the process'. Some brides take comfort in knowing just what will happen. My opinion: If it makes YOU happy, I'm happy. Some couples choose to rehearse, but do it without the minister/officiant. (If the rehearsal is held on a day separate from the wedding, I do charge a small additional fee.)

Q: WHERE ARE YOU WILLING TO GO TO PERFORM A CEREMONY?
     Anywhere! I've celebrated weddings and other ceremonies in many different locations. I find that celebrating your marriage ceremony in the location you choose makes it all the more personal!  I'm a 'mobile minister' and I've performed ceremonies from Westchester to Atlantic City,  from Long Island to Easton, PA.  Further distances would fall under the catagory of 'destination weddings'.

Q: HOW LONG WILL OUR CEREMONY LAST?
     Most ceremonies last approximately 20-25 minutes but the ceremony length depends on what you want. If you have multiple readings or poems, a Unity Candle, etc. your ceremony may be longer. Your ceremony can be as long or short as you want it to be.

Q: WHAT DO YOU USUALLY WEAR DURING THE CEREMONY?
     I generally wear a plain black or white minister’s robe, or a black suit but I can change my attire to suit your preferences. At times couples have asked me to wear a monk’s robe for a medieval themed wedding, and a Hawaiian shirt and lei for a bar-b-q wedding, and other outfits.  Trust me, you do NOT want to see me in a bathing suit.
Just tell me what is important to you and you will get exactly what you want.

Q: DO YOU NEED TO MEET WITH US BEFORE THE CEREMONY?
     Generally, yes, at least once. I like to say that "I never marry strangers". I find that constructing the ceremony together is a joyful and wonderful meeting. We laugh, we cry, and you'll know EXACTLY what will be said at your wedding ceremony. If distance is a problem, we can 'meet' over the phone, via SKYPE or through emails.

Q: CAN WE WRITE OUR OWN VOWS?
     Yes, of course! You can customize your ceremony as you would like. I am also always available to help you with any details. I've had many couples share their personal vows during the ceremony. I'll give you some tips about writing your personal vows when we meet. (You don't have to be a great author to say what's in your heart.)

Q: WHAT IS A UNITY CANDLE CEREMONY?
     A Unity Candle consists of one large pedestal candle that sits in between two smaller taper candles. During the ceremony the mother's of the Bride and Groom, or any other loved ones will light the two taper candles signifying your current family. You and your future spouse will take the taper candles and light the pedestal candle together, signifying your new family. (Note: I do not recommend candles when the ceremony is held outside).

Q: WHAT IS THE ROSE CEREMONY?
     A Rose Ceremony is an older tradition where the bride and groom, after taking their vows, exchange a single red rose to each other. (see the sample on my Sample Readings page) It symbolizes their first gift to each other as husband and wife as well as an expression of their love for one another.
A portion of your ceremony can be added to include giving your mothers a rose as a gesture of your love and appreciation as well.

Q: WHAT IS THE SAND CEREMONY?
     A Sand Ceremony is actually an ancient Hawaiian Tradition that most recently has be used in place of a Unity Candle, especially in beach or outdoor weddings where candles will go out. It holds a similar meaning as the Unity Candle. Two small containers of sand are combined into one large container by the Bride and Groom, unifying the two.

Q: CAN WE INCLUDE A POEM OR READING DURING OUR CEREMONY?
     Yes, of course. You can add poems, readings or stories. You can also have a family member read a poem or a bible passage. I'm very flexible when it comes to creating your ceremony - after all, it's your day! I can help you at any time to create your ceremony or your vows.

Q: HOW DO I GET A COPY OF MY MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE?
     The New Jersey license comes with 4 copies - one for the county, one for the state, one for the married couple, and one for me, the officiant. After the license has been signed, you will receive your carbon copy of the license to keep for your records (the pink copy). I will keep my copy (the blue one) on permanent file. Within 5 days of your ceremony I mail the appropriate copies of the marriage license to the town clerk where ceremony was performed

Approximately 10-14 days after your ceremony, you will need to contact the Town Registrar ( in the town where the ceremony takes place ) to get the actual certified copy of your marriage license.

Q: WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO AFTER THE CEREMONY?
     Relax and enjoy your party! Dance!
If you liked the ceremony, tell all your friends about me.  And, if you can, please send me pictures or videos.

                                         

or call me at 201-410-6834 or
Email me directly at MitchTheMinister@aol.com