Check out a sneak peek video at the end of this blog to see a glimpse of how I do it!

One big service I provide to my couples is to officiate their wedding- yes officiate and capture it. How? Well you are in the right place!

In short, I read my script on my phone while I have my camera settings dialed in and shoot while I read it through.

Where to get ordained

The site I chose was www.theamm.org and yes it is legal! 😂

I am able to marry any couple in the U.S.. I still guide ceremonies internationally and advise the couple to do a civil ceremony in their home state for legal purposes.

Preparing the Couple

A few days before, up to a week, I ask my couples 3 questions and ask them to email me their answers separately and to not share them with one another. I tell them that the answers don’t need to be long but as detailed as they can be (where they were at, how they were feeling, etc.) to help paint a photo.

5 Questions you can ask:

What is your favorite memory of ___?
When was the moment you knew you wanted to spend the rest of your life with ___?
What is your funniest memory of ___?
What is something small or insignificant that you love that ___ does?
Why do you think ___ will make a good spouse?

Right before we start the ceremony, I prep my couple and get them in the moment. Remember, they (probably) haven’t been married before and are looking to you for guidance.

I tell them that I will walk them through the entire process, to only focus on each other and once we get started to look into each other’s eyes for the entire thing as it goes by super fast. I tell them that this is a quick ceremony and to soak in as much of it as they can by being present. I tell them to not worry about anything that’s happening around them, not surrounding sounds, wind blowing their hair (unless it gets crazy 😝 ), how they look, etc.. and to totally just be in the moment.

Then I ask them to hug each other and to take 3 deep breaths; and while they breathe, to breathe into each other- to completely immerse themselves in their partner. As they are taking their second breath, I tell them that once they are done with their third breath to hold each other’s hands and to not break eye contact until it is all over.

Then I get started with my script:

The Script

Randi & James

“Today we celebrate the separate journeys that brought you two together, and we are going to usher you toward the new journey that you will embark upon as partners forever.

You have decided to get married here in Santorini Greece. In one of the world’s most beautiful places- how cool is that?!

You have chosen today to keep choosing each other every single day for the rest of your lives.

I asked you two a few questions prior to today; here they are:

Randi

I asked, What is your favorite memory of James?

-My favorite memory of James has to be the first time he tried sushi…

What is your funniest moment with James?

-It’s funny now looking back on it with a good laugh but in the moment I was mortified….

What is something small or insignificant that James does that you love? (i.e. get coffee without you asking, leaving notes around the house, surprise dates, etc.)

-I am not a night owl definitely more of a morning person so I…

James

I asked James the same questions: What is your favorite memory of Randi?

-I’d have to say it’s when Randi agreed to move to St. Louis…

What is your funniest moment with Randi?

-There a couple of good stories for sure, but nothing beats the first time Randi told me she loved me…

What is something small or insignificant that Randi does that you love? (i.e. get coffee without you asking, leaving notes around the house, surprise dates, etc.)

Honestly, it’s hard to just find one thing that’s insignificant that Randi does for me that I love…

———

VOWS

———

As I guide you in exchanging your vows, you, Randi and you James will declare your intentions for a lasting partnership in love and marriage. Are you ready to do this?

Please present one another your rings.

Repeat after me.

I, _____, take you, _____, to be my husband/wife/partner. I promise that from this day forward I will not only regard you as my equal partner, but as my closest friend. I promise to comfort you in sickness and in health. I promise to demonstrate my commitment to you through love, laughter, and compassion. I love you.

Repeat

By the power vested in me by the state of Arizona, it is my great pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss.

Congrats Randi & James!!”

The Set Up

We are so used to seeing the ordained minister in front of the couple with a binder or iPad. That image is engraved in our minds from past experiences, movies and all other imagery we have seen. But just like how elopements are not like traditional weddings, we don’t have to stick with the same rules.

We (photographers) have all been there, camera in hand softly on the shutter waiting for the big kiss when the couple is pronounced married. Patiently yet eagerly waiting for the minister/friend/father/whoever-is-marrying-them to move out of the way for the absolute one-shot you have to get.

I thought to myself- “why do we do it this way?”. It’s such an awkward set up to have the person right in front of the couple and if they don’t move- then they are standing there smiling at the couple inches away from them kissing- like what?

So instead of standing in front of them, I am actually on the same plane as the guests, right where we always are. I am reading my (short) script while still holding my camera shooting the entire thing.

I know what you’re thinking- “but just the one angle?”. Nope. Once I have them read their vows, exchange rings or any other ceremony ritual, I am moving around getting all of the shots I need. If I feel I need more time, I ask them to hug again or to look around the scenery and take it in.

Even during my part of the script, I have been doing this so long that I know when to capture a sweet moment; maybe a tear, someone wiping their partner’s tears, a laugh, anything. Just like you would in public speaking - you look up regularly and when you see something, pause the script and capture it.