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Contact Information: Rev. William Peterson
3710 Stanton Street
Philadelphia, PA 19129
215.370.0575 revbillp@yahoo.com

Weddings

Congratulations on your decision to marry or on your decision to commit your life to each other!

All my wedding and commitment ceremonies are from the heart. The couples that I have joined together are from various backgrounds, religions and races. I firmly believe that all of us are one under God. If we truly love each other, then what greater gift can be bestowed by the joining of two hearts to form one soul!

It is extremely important that your special day be just that. I know how nervous and stressed you may be. I will do my part in helping you overcome stress and anxiety in order to insure that your special day will be one that you both will have special memories of in the years to come.

Planning

What you need to do:
Upon letting me know the type of ceremony you wish, I will then put together a ceremony based on what we have discussed. I will need your names exactly as they will appear on your wedding license and the names of any children that will be included in the ceremony. I will either e-mail the ceremony to you to look over and make any changes you would like, or we can meet and discuss it in person. E-mail is a lot easier, as it helps eliminate leg work for us both, and you usually have a lot of things on your mind and don't need to take any more time to add any more. If you wish to receive the ceremony via e-mail, then you can make any changes or additions, and e-mail it back to me. When you are sure that you are satisfied, then we can meet and discuss the ceremony sometime before your special day. This can also be done at the wedding rehearsal, if you plan on having one.

The Wedding License:
This is the official registry of your marriage. You are responsible for obtaining your wedding license. It is my responsibility to fill it out and mail it back to the County within the required time frame. If you are having a rehearsal, please bring the license to the rehearsal so that I can fill it out and mail it the day of the wedding. If you are going to give it to me on the wedding day, please entrust it to the best man so that it will not be an additional thing you will need to do. In Philadelphia County, you get the middle section for your records, I keep the top and I mail in the bottom. Outside of Philadelphia, the form may be different. You do not get a confirmation from the individual County that your marriage certificate has been received.

Place and Hall:
I have access to a Place to hold the ceremony. It only fits 110 people. There is a Hall that is part of the building and it will hold about 125 people. I also have a photographer, caterer, and florist.

Counseling
I am also a licensed church counselor so, if you feel that you would like counseling services, they can be provided. They are not required. Counseling sessions are only needed if you feel that there are some issues or concerns that you need to address. Most couples only need one, but I have found that three are the most that are needed. I use a sliding scale fee for this service.

Ceremonies
The following are things that might be included in your ceremony:

• Unity Candle -- where you each take a candle and together light the center candle to symbolize the joining of your souls.
• Handing out of a rose to your Mothers or family
• Including your child or children as part the service
• Traditional Irish Wedding with the Irish Wedding Prayer
• Sand Ceremony

You will receive a beautifully printed copy of the ceremony for your memory book.

Vows
This is the part of the ceremony that reflects your feelings for your new life together. You may write your own vows, which I can read for you; I can write them for you; or you can use the traditional wedding vows.

Fees

My fee for officiating will be based on the type of ceremony, length, whether or not there is to be a rehearsal, and the distance traveled. Typically, the fee ranges from $225 to $350. I can do a civil ceremony which will be a 10 minute service. The fee will be $100. The fee is payable at the rehearsal or after the wedding. It is suggested that if you are paying after the wedding service, that you entrust the payment to the best man or a trustworthy person.

Look into my eyes, see who I am; Take my hand, I will show you who you are; Open your heart and mind, set your spirit free.