Are you legally able to marry us?
Yes! All of our officiants are legally recognized. None of us were ordained online. In New York State, officiants aren’t “licensed,” but they must have a valid credential — and we do. For weddings in New York City, officiants must also register with the City Clerk. We’re fully registered and happy to share documentation. All of our officiants hold Church of Ancient Ways ordinations and are 100% fully legal to perform marriage ceremonies in all jurisdictions of New York State and beyond. Church of Ancient Ways was given full 501(c)(3) status in 1997. Our credentials come from the State of New York, not the Internet.
Do you have a Rabbi?
Yes, we do!
Our venue requires a Certificate of Insurance. Can you provide that?
Yes, just let us know and we’ll send it over.
How soon before the wedding should we be looking for an officiant?
It really depends on your comfort level. Many couples book 12–24 months in advance, especially for popular dates. But life is unpredictable — shorter notice is totally fine, too. The earlier you book, the more options you’ll have.
Why do we need a professional officiant?
Because we do more than just speak — we craft. We’re experienced writers, public speakers, and guides. A friend may love you dearly, but they likely won’t have the comfort, structure, or legal clarity to pull off the ceremony you’re envisioning. Also, New York State has not passed legislation protecting online ordinations so they will need to get a proper single-use permit from the same town hall you get your marriage license. We can offer meaningful roles for friends and family, but when it comes to the legal part — we’ve got you covered.
If we hire a professional who was ordained online (like through ULC), do they still need a NYS single-event permit?
Yes. As of December 28, 2023, New York law requires a special permit for online-ordained officiants. Performing a ceremony without this can result in a misdemeanor charge. Read the law here.
Do you require premarital counseling?
Nope. Every couple is different. That said, we do have ministers who are Licensed Clinical Social Workers, so if you’re looking for that kind of support, we’re here for you.
How long do your ceremonies usually last?
Usually 15 to 20 minutes — long enough to be meaningful, short enough to keep guests engaged.
What kinds of ceremonies do you perform?
All kinds! Civil, religious, interfaith, multicultural, spiritual-but-not-religious, same-sex, second marriages, commitment ceremonies, vow renewals, baby blessings, celebrations of life… We specialize in “Couple-Centered Ceremonies” — which means we keep what’s meaningful and toss what’s not.
We want something simple. Do we have to meet with you?
Not at all. If you want a short, sweet, or civil ceremony, we can “Skip the Meeting” and offer a Ceremony Builder or unscripted option that still feels sincere and personal.
If we book with you, will YOU be the one to perform our ceremony?
Yes. We don’t overbook or outsource. If you book Rev. Joe, you get Rev. Joe. If you book someone else on our team, it’s the same. The only exception would be for unscripted ceremonies, where we assign your officiant a week before, or because of sickness or an emergency, in which case another team member will step in with your whole ceremony and details in hand.
We’re… Second marriage Catholics / Different religions / Spiritual not religious / Multicultural / Involving kids / Big Star Trek fans… is that a problem?
Absolutely not. We think it’s a blessing when couples know what’s important to them. We’re happy to incorporate your story, traditions, and personalities — even if that includes a little Klingon.
We’ve always imagined being married by a man. Is that okay?
Of course. You should have exactly what you envision.
We’re thinking about writing our own vows. Is that okay?
Yes! Write them and decide later whether to share them publicly or privately. Either way, you’ll have your words.
How closely do you schedule your ceremonies?
For our Custom and Skip-the-Meeting services, we won’t book closer than three hours between events unless they are in the same town or venue — more if travel is complicated. That buffer gives you peace of mind and ensures we’re never rushed.
What happens if you get sick?
We have a team of skilled, reliable officiants. If someone is under the weather, a teammate will step in seamlessly with your full ceremony, staging plan, and tone intact.
Any restrictions on photography or video?
Not at all! We love working with professional photographers and videographers. These images are part of your legacy. If you’re planning an unplugged ceremony, we’re happy to help with that, too.
What do your typical services include?
Check out our most common levels of service here which include Custom Originally Written Ceremonies and “Skip-the-Meeting” ceremonies selected by you using our Ceremony Builder application.
Phone and email support.
Arrival 45–60 mins before your ceremony start time for our top tiers of service.
Coordination with vendors.
Our own PA system, if needed.
A keepsake ceremony book and certificate for our top two tiers of service.
License signing and certified mail tracking.
Do you charge extra for unity candles, rose ceremonies, or other add-ons?
Never. Include what’s meaningful to you — our fee is based on time taken up on the calendar, not content. You’ll just need to purchase and bring any materials needed.
How much contact will we have with you before the wedding?
As much or as little as you like! Some couples love to collaborate closely. Others prefer a light touch. We’re here either way — and we always respond within 24 hours.
What about rehearsals?
Most venues now run the rehearsal within the hour before your ceremony — when we’ll already be there. If you’re hosting a separate rehearsal night and would like us to attend, we can do so for an additional fee if available and not performing other ceremonies. Your ceremony document will also include a processional template for you to complete.
We have our marriage license — can we come get married now?
As long as the 24-hour waiting period has passed, yes! Subject to availability, we can marry you at one of our locations (Old Bethpage, East Northport, Plainview, Westbury, or Glen Cove). Give us a call!
What do you wear?
We dress appropriately for a wedding, but we also bring robes if you’d prefer a more formal feel. Theme wedding? YES — we’re in! Let’s chat wardrobe.
What do you need from us to check your availability?
Just your date, ceremony start time, and location. If you already have a sense of style or tone (religious/civil, fun/formal), feel free to share that too.
How much does a wedding officiant cost?
It depends on your date, time taken up on the calendar, location, and the level of service for the ceremony you want. More customization and travel = higher cost. Simpler or more local ceremonies = lower cost.
What affects pricing?
How long we reserve on our calendar for you.
How far we travel.
Whether your ceremony is custom and originally written, from our Ceremony Builder, or something delivered from our own experience.
Whether we meet in advance for a formal interview.
Add-ons like having dual officiants or ceremonies that require extra support.
Do you offer discounts?
No vendor discounts, but our rates are intentionally reasonable. We believe everyone deserves the best, without playing pricing games.
How can we reduce the cost?
Being flexible with date/time/location.
Choose a level of service that fits your budget.
Come to us for a signature service, elopement, or civil signing at one of our officiant locations.
What’s the next step?
Contact us at info@longislandweddingofficiants.org with your date, time, and location and we’ll send you a personalized quote — no pressure, just helpful info.
