Frequently Asked Questions:
Who are you and how do you present?
How can we book you for our wedding?
How do we schedule a wedding with you?
Is it necessary for us to meet before our wedding?
Can we design our own ceremony and can you help?
How can we include our children in our ceremony?
What are the responsibilities of the Best Man and Maid/Matron of Honor?
How are fees and gratuities handled?
When will you arrive for our ceremony?
Do you stay for pictures and/or the reception?
How do we get our marriage license and what do we need?
Do you have any suggestions for locations or themes?
Do you have any suggestions for flowers, photographers, receptions, etc.
Do you still have that “honor and obey” clause in your ceremony?
Do you do any premarital counseling?
Do you have any advice for couples contemplating marriage?
Q: Who are you and how do you present?
A: I am an ordained minister, licensed to perform weddings in the state of Nevada. I am married and have lived in Las Vegas for over a decade. I am a hiker and a woodworker. I love doing wedding ceremonies and have been on the Travel Channel and Inside Edition. I am six foot three inches tall. I have gray hair and a powerful voice. My greatest feature (if I might be so humble) is my wonderful sense of humor. I love people and will make you wedding as special as I can.
Q: How can we book you for our wedding?
A: Please call me at (702) 845-9095 or (702) 873-7814. My email address is philyork77@gmail.com. If you are using a wedding facility, please check with them and see if they allow outside ministers.
Q: How do we schedule a wedding with you?
A: Please call me for date and time availability. If you call before you set your time I can work with you. Often it is a matter of an hour, one way or another, that will enable me to put your wedding on my schedule.
Q: Is it necessary for us to meet before our wedding?
A: The short answer is Yes and No. Yes, schedules permitting, I would be happy to set down and go over the details of your ceremony. And No, most of the questions and concerns can be handled by phone or email. I am open to your needs and will do my very best to assist you in any way possible.
A: Of course you can. During the ceremony, I have a place where I have some standard vows. However, if you would like to say your own, that is quite alright. My suggestion is this. Write down what you would like to say to each other and put it on one or two 3x5 cards and have your Best Man or Maid of Honor hold them until it is time.
Q: Can we design our own ceremony and can you help?
A: There is plenty of flexibility in each ceremony. You can have music, singing, readings, prayers, and you can write some things that are special for you. An important thing to remember is the length of the ceremony. From years of doing weddings in Las Vegas, I have discovered two important things. First, you don’t get married everyday, so there’s a certain amount of excitement and enthusiasm. This can also be somewhat stressful. The other thing is, remember the weather! If your ceremony is outside, the heat of the afternoon and early evening can be a consideration.
My suggestion is to keep the actual time at about ten to fifteen minutes. I have done many ceremonies that are thirty minutes or longer and I am willing to work with you on what you want.
Q: How can we include our children in our ceremony?
A: Marriage is often viewed as the union of a man and a woman. But we cannot forget that children are also a part of that union. I would suggest that you have a ring or necklace or some small token that can be presented to each child as a part of the ceremony. I can help with your own personal situation.
Q: What are the responsibilities of the Best Man and Maid/Matron of Honor?
A: Traditionally, their responsibilities include helping the Bride and Groom with their respective preparations for the ceremony. This includes making sure that the license and rings are there. They also are to help make sure that the Bride and Groom are there on time. And if either needs any help with ties, hair, flowers, etc. In other words they have the responsibility for helping make your wedding a success.
Q: How the fees and gratuities handled?
A: Generally, my fee is handled one of two ways. You either pay me the day of your ceremony or if you are booked through a resort, they will include my fee in your package and pay me directly. Gratuities are usually paid directly. Everyone who is connected with your ceremony has their fees defined ahead of time. Gratuities are a nice way to say "thank you" to your minister, your photographer, your coordinator, your hair stylist, or anyone who has done a special job in helping to make your wedding special. It is entirely up to you how you would like to handle this.
A: As a good friend of mine is quick to say, the Minister is just a fence post at rehearsals. The coordinator walks everyone through the ceremony process and the Minister will stand here. If you feel that it is important for me to attend, please call me and we can work out the details.
Q: When will you arrive for our ceremony?
A: I usually plan on arriving thirty minutes early. So we can go over any details and fill out the Marriage Certificate.
Q: Do you stay for pictures and/or the reception?
A: Generally I don’t due to time constraints. If, however, schedule permits I am always glad to accommodate you.
Q:How do we get our marriage license and what do we need?
A: The Marriage License Bureau is located at the corner of Third and Clark (201 Clark Avenue Phone: 702-671-0600). It is downtown near the Freemont Street Experience. They require you both to come in, in person and fill out very brief forms. Their fee is $102.00. Not always, but often they will request a picture ID or Passport, if you look underage. I will need the three copies in order to do the ceremony. After the service you will receive the colored copy and I will send the other copy to the Clark County Recorder. The other sheet is what I keep for my records. It is just background information on you. To get a certified copy generally takes 10 working days. If you need it sooner, Let me know.
Q: Do you have any suggestions for locations or themes?
A: Over the years I have done all sorts of theme ceremonies; Western, Sleeping Beauty, Elvis, you name it. Locations are the same; Red Rock, Mt Charleston, Helicopter, in limos. This list is endless. If you want to discuss your special plans, I would be happy to help.
Q: Do you have any suggestions for flowers, photographers, receptions, etc.
A: I can usually assist you with suggestions. See my resource section here on this website.
Q: Do you still have that “honor and obey” clause in your ceremony?
A: No, I don’t. But for an extra $50.00 I would be glad to put it in. (I’m just kidding!) I also don’t ask if there’s anyone present who feels that this couple should not be joined together. Let them speak now or forever hold their peace.
Q: Do you do any premarital counseling?
A: I do if time permits. There is an additional charge for this service. If you just have a question or two, no problem, we can discuss them during our preliminary conversation.
Q: Do you have any advice for couples contemplating marriage?
A: There is only one thing worse than living alone. That’s wishing you were! I don’t want to be glib. But if you have any concerns about finances, number of children, communication concerns or whatever, please address these concerns or issues before you enter into a committed relationship. It is easy to get into a marriage and difficult to dissolve one. I have counseled many married couples over the years and I know that marriages take work. So, if you have any concerns, let’s see if we can resolve them before you get married.