Kelly Baker Creative Services
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FAQ
 

 

  • What services do you offer for brides?
  • Are your services expensive?
  • Can you help us write our vows?
  • What about rehearsal, do we need one?
  • Can you help us with our reception?
  • Can you come to our house and do a quick ceremony really cheap?
  • Why do you charge so much?  I wouldn't think you have to do much except show up!
  • Why do you charge a retainer fee and a package fee?
  • Why do you charge a $300 flat rate for quick turn around weddings? 



Q: What Services do you offer for brides? 
A: I offer officianting and ceremony writing and planning.  I do offer, on a limited basis wedding planning for those who are out of state and book my services at least one year in advance.. 
Q: Are your services expensive?
A: Well it depends!  If you're looking for just someone to officiate at your wedding my services start at $120.00 for my local area and go up depending upon service type/package type and distance.
Q: Can you help us write our vows?
A: Of course!  Once you've signed a contract to hold your date I will gladly help you write your vows.  Meeting time is included in the fee of most of my packages.  We can also send ideas back and forth via email.  Your vows need to be complete14 days prior to your ceremony.  Sooner if you chose the custom wedding package.
Q: What about rehearsal? Do we need one?
A: I always suggest a rehearsal if you have more than a best man and a maid of honor at your wedding.  I charge $50.00 per hour for rehearsals with a one hour minimum.
Q. Can you help us with our reception?
A. I'd be happy to offer advice and I do often send off emails to my upcoming brides/grooms on deals I think are great but I no longer offer wedding planner services except as stated above. 
Q. Can you come to our house and do a quick ceremony really cheap?
A.  Yes I can if you live in Maine and want me to use a general ceremony without personalization.  As for the 'really cheap' part, my fee is negotiable but I do charge mileage for home weddings outside of the Sanford and Lebanon Maine area.  You still MUST have a valid marriage license!  I can not do a wedding without one and I can't sign your marriage license after the fact because you forgot to get one!
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Q. Why do you cost so much?  I wouldn't think you have to do much except show up!
A. How do I answer this question!?  My fee is based on my time and talent.  Anyone who really just wants 'someone' to show up would best be served by going to your local town or city offices and be married by the staff notary.  There is nothing wrong with that, I know people who are Notaries who work for different towns and they can take your ID's, verify who you are, have two witnesses sign and off you go!  I like to think I'm offering a service.  I help you plan your ceremony which should be the most important part of the wedding.  Years from now it's not all about the party you had but the commitment you made to each other.  So though I could just 'show up' at your location, officiate over your ceremony, collect a few dollars and go on my way, I choose not to do that!  I am always happy to work with a couple on a strict budget to have the best ceremony I can give them so please don't let price dictate what you want because you do truly get what you paid for!
 Q. Why do you charge a retainer fee and a package fee?
A. The retainer fee, currently $100.00 is a fee for my time.  As much as I love officiating over ceremonies this is my profession and my source of income.  Just like a dentist charges an office visit fee and then a fee for the procedure he or she is performing, I do the same to cover my time.  Initially I, on average, spend 2 hours of prep time BEFORE I even meet you.  Of course every bride and groom I meet do not end up clients,, sometimes we're just not a good fit, so charging a retainer covers my very basic expenses and unfortunately those of you who contract for my services pay the fee. 
 
Once we've sat down and spoken and probably emailed back and forth a few times I get a feel of what type of ceremony works best for you and then I work up the charge based on the package or the closest thing to a package you've chosen.  I like to think my time and talent is worth the price because if it's not then either we're not a good fit or you've just spent a huge amount of money for a big party and you could have done that without marrying!  And remember, all my fees are negotiable, nothing is carved in stone!
 
Q. Why do you charge $300 for quick turn around weddings?
A. Quick turn around weddings are often difficult for me to do for a number of reasons.  Most people who are doing quick turn around weddings, those within 45 days of booking normally forgot about the key thing - it's not about the party - it's about the marriage!  Often times you've planned for months or years all the details except the most important one - who is going to make it legal!  This puts extra strain on me as I have to create a wedding ceremony on the fly, try to rearrange my already tight schedule, and try to find a mutually agreeable time to meet to go over the contract.  I have found, in my experience, that it's difficult to get both bride and groom together to make decisions on what type of ceremony they want and often I'll receive 10-15 emails from the bride or groom prior to the meeting while they are looking around for someone less expensive.  I try to give everyone a fair price but this is not a hobby for me.  More often than not, the person who tells me "All you need to do is show up" has more demands at the ceremony than any Bridezilla you've seen on television!  I've done some great simple, on the fly weddings with some great couples but unfortunately they are the exception.