No two people are alike. So why should wedding ceremonies be the same? Even though there are recognizable patterns in the flow of a wedding, there are also unlimited ways of organizing both the structure and content of the ceremony. When you and I work together to combine our ideas, your marriage ceremony emerges from many potential sources of information: tradition, poetry, scripture, philosophy, humor, and original material. My work varies with each wedding, but is shaped first and foremost by the principle of helping you create what you want.
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| © Jason E. Kaplan |
If you live in the Portland Metro area, I'm happy to meet with you in your home, or at another location convenient to all. If you're contacting me long-distance, we can schedule a meeting by phone. This first meeting is free, and you will not be obligated or pressured to use my services.
The initial interview works both ways: I get to know you, and you get to know me. As we tell our stories, I can get more of a sense of how you've come together, where you want to go in the future, and what kind of wedding event might best define the here-and-now of your decision to commit to one another.
At the same time, you can get more of a sense of how I work, by reviewing many of the ceremonies I've conducted (if we meet in person). You'll see for yourself how they differ from one another in being tailored to the individuals who've united in marriage. And you'll have the chance to jump-start this creative process during our first meeting by thinking about how you want your wedding to be. What (and how much) do you want to say? What level of involvement might you want from selected others? What level of participation might you choose to invite from all assembled?
If as a result of our interview you decide that we're a good fit, we begin an e-mail process of co-creating the ceremony. Basically I give you lots of ideas and suggest a format. You in turn let me know what you like, perhaps adding ideas and suggestions of your own; from these I construct a draft of the ceremony, and fine-tune it as we go along. I'm also available for phone consultations, and am happy to meet again in person if needed for some face-to-face brainstorming.
The finished product will be a celebration of your love before all who witness it. Your wedding ceremony will create a memory that will linger long after the wedding cake dishes have been cleared away.
I'll be on hand before the ceremony begins to insure that the necessary details are taken care of. Also I will check in with you to make sure that you are taken care of, and ready to begin. In performing a ceremony, I have two primary duties: to set the tone of the wedding, and to keep the participants fully present and engaged. Nervousness among wedding participants is natural, but can be lessened through the support and care I bring from my years of experience, as well as the deep sense of pleasure and connection I derive from this work.
© Kubota Photo-Design Inc.
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| © Kubota Photo-Design Inc. |
My work is finished when I complete and submit your license to the proper authorities. At your request, I will also mail you a copy of the completed ceremony as a keepsake. And yes, I'm also delighted to receive from you a photo or two, if you'd like to add to my memories as well.
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 ©Jason E. Kaplan |
| © Artful Images |
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