Handfasting2

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Comment by Scott Prophecy Tarbox on November 3, 2009 at 5:01pm

I am also ordained Pagan Clergy, I also have fees for the same reasons. I have been performing Handfastings for several years now and have never had any complications due to fees being charged. I am in the Buxton area and I travel a lot. I too give a choice of preprinted ritual from several sources but most generally they want me to write it for them to work with their own thoughts. If someone is in need you can email me I am available for all handfastings.

Comment by Dylan Cook on March 29, 2009 at 10:58am

Lisa thanks for starting this group.

Comment by Dark Moons Witch on February 1, 2009 at 11:45pm

darn it i should have deleted this when i left the last time

Comment by Dark Moons Witch on February 1, 2009 at 11:41pm

THIS IS MY GROUP UNDER ANOTHER ID!
even though I NEED someone to do my handfasting, I DO NOT WANT this group on this site any longer.... TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many fake ppl I do not like are on this site!!!! THIS GROUP WILL BE DELTED!

Comment by Marion on January 20, 2009 at 11:32pm

On the issue of officiant fees ... I would expect that Pagan Clergy should be equally compensated for their services. I would certainly expect that the officiant be up-front about what they expect, is there a flat fee or can you pick and chose services, what is your rate for travel time, etc.

Personally, I'm looking for someone professional and reasonable who will bring a good, solid, energy to the ceremony and work with us in the mean time - and who is not opposed to being in touch via email!

I think the cost of processing the legal paperwork (state fees, etc.), cost of travel (if any), and a flat fee for showing up and performing the ceremony are reasonable to ask for. I would also expect that the fee for the rehearsal be included, unless it's a particularly long ritual or there is a great deal of travel involved.

Things I would *not* expect to pay for: brief phone and email contacts, less than 30-minutes of travel time, and a ceremony I'm not happy with (for example, the notary who did my brother's wedding mispronounced our last name SEVERAL times! additionally, she didn't speak loudly and clearly enough for any of us to hear her).

Comment by Marion on January 20, 2009 at 10:43pm

I like how the information section rhymes :) My fiancee and I will be married 10/10/09. I have yet to find an officiant and hope to find some suggestions here.

We're looking for someone who will work with us to create a ceremony that is both meaningful to us and speaks to our many guests on many spiritual paths, including them rather than making them feel alienated by a ritual they may not understand or feel comfortable with.

I know, it's a tall order. Any help on this is very much appreciated!

Comment by Val on December 24, 2008 at 11:54am

When we had our handfasting, our officiate did not charge us (although I am not sure if this is because he is a good friend of mine, or because he personally does not like to charge for the service). We still gave him a gift that was worth what I assume might have been a basic charge.

I think it is up to the officiate. Naturally, you take time out of your schedule to meet with the couple, put together a ritual/ceremony that they want, and then show up and do the ritual. You use a lot of your own equiptment many times also. I can see how you would want to charge for the service. It could either be a flat fee, or base it on a sliding scale based on the couple's finances.

Comment by Rev. Liomsa on November 18, 2008 at 1:01pm

Greetings! I base my charges on the same factors you do. So far, I haven't had any negative reactions. In fact, most insist on paying more. I give them a choice of a pre-written ritual or to personalize their own (which I help them with) and charge accordingly. For some, the first question is the fees. For others, it is the last.It seems some think I do this for a living and thus are surprised at the low fees.

Comment by Kerry on November 18, 2008 at 11:39am

Greetings everyone! I'm someone who officiates Handfastings, and it would be interesting to hear peoples' opinions regarding "fee for services." As Pagan Clergy, and based on the services I provide for a couple, I do ask a fee to cover travel, design, officiating, and marital counseling. What are people's views of fee for service, and if you're someone who charges how do you have that conversation with people (at what point in the negotiations, etc.)?

~Kerry~
HPS Forest Sanctuary
LCPC