The Village of Genoa City abolished the municipal court effective the end of my term of office and I retired as municipal judge on April 30, 2019. This means I am no longer able to officiate marriages as municipal judge. With that said, I would still be honored to officiate your marriage and offer the following for your consideration:
WHERE DO WE GET OUR MARRIAGE LICENSE?
DO YOU NEED THE LICENSE BEFORE OUR WEDDING DAY?
If you are residents of Wisconsin, you must apply for your license in the county you reside in. You may marry anywhere in the state. If you are from out-of-state, you must apply for your license in the county in which you will be married in. The license is good for 30 days and may be applied for no sooner than 35 days before your wedding and no less than 5 days (7 with weekend). A waiver for the 5 day waiting period may be available depending on your particular circumstance. More information may be found on the Walworth County Clerk's site.
Typically, no. However, by getting the license from you ahead of time, it is one less thing you have to be concerned with on your wedding day. If you apply for your license in Walworth County and make arrangements with me beforehand, you may ask them to hold the license for me and I will gladly pick it up for you before your wedding day.
If you do not have a license the day of your wedding, I cannot officiate your marriage!
WILL YOU OFFICATE SAME-SEX MARRIAGES?
WHERE CAN YOU OFFICIATE OUR CEREMONY?
DO WE NEED TO USE RINGS?
WHAT ABOUT WITNESSES?
DO YOU REQUIRE A "MEET AND GREET"?
SHOULD WE GET TOGETHER WITH YOU FOR A REHEARSAL?
WILL YOU USE A MICROPHONE IF REQUESTED?
HOW LONG IS THE CEREMONY?
HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE?
I am often asked if I can provide an average. For those wishing a guideline; I have received anywhere from $0 to $600 as a gratuity. Many officiants in the area require a fee of $175 or more.
DO YOU REQUIRE A DEPOSIT?
MAY WE CHANGE OUR TIME IF NEEDED?
If for some reason you need to cancel or reschedule, please let me know at your earliest convenience so I may plan accordingly.
WE ARE ALREADY MARRIED. WILL YOU OFFICIATE A "MOCK" WEDDING?
WHERE DO WE GET A COPY OF OUR MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE?
If not, you may follow this link to the State of Wisconsin and fill the form out online. Once you fill out the form, PRINT IT. Send the completed and signed form to the State of Wisconsin along with any fees to receive your copies. (For faster service, I suggest you take the completed form to the register of deeds office in the county in which you were married.)
Yes. Decisions by the Supreme Court make same-sex marriages lawful in the State of Wisconsin. Many of the ceremony samples provided may be modified and utilized for your ceremony by replacing bride/groom with partner or spouse, etc.
Anywhere in the state of Wisconsin! Realistically though, I try to keep travel to a reasonable distance. As far as location, I have officiated marriage ceremonies anywhere from private yachts to public parks, on-stage at country fest concerts to private residences and most places in between. If you have a special location or wedding theme, just ask. I will do my best to accommodate your request.
Absolutely not! Ceremonies may be written with or without the exchange of rings.
You will need to provide two witnesses age 18 or over. If you are unable to provide them, I may be able to make arrangements with a couple of local individuals to witness the ceremony, depending on the date, location and time.
No. While I always look forward to meeting couples I marry, I typically do not meet them before the day of the wedding. Since schedules can be rather hectic for everyone, all wedding details can be discussed (at your convenience) by telephone or email.
Traditionally, it is a good idea to have a rehearsal with your wedding party, depending upon your particular circumstances. Generally, it is not necessary for me to be present as I am not a wedding planner. Since we will have already created your ceremony through our conversations, anything last minute that I need to know about can usually be discussed shortly before the ceremony. However, if you feel it necessary that I attend, I will do my best to accommodate.
Absolutely! Typically, a microphone is not necessary and many couples prefer it not be used. However, there are situations where a microphone is beneficial for your guests. Since I use a small book during the ceremony, a hand-held microphone is not practical. If you desire and make arrangements with me beforehand, I will bring a lavalier microphone to use for the ceremony. Please inform your DJ or sound person that the microphone is a wireless Shure TPD and has both 1/4" phone and XLR outputs to connect to their sound system.
The ceremony can be as long or as short as you desire. The samples listed here vary in length and may be customized to include readings/poems from friends or family, music interludes, etc., with each item adding time. The best way to calculate time is to read the ceremony out loud, including any readings or poems. Each song will add anywhere from 2 to 3 minutes. Factor in the processional and recessional and you've got it!
I do not set a fee. However, I do expect to receive an honorarium. My services are compensated only by gratuity and the amount is entirely up to you.
Since I do not set a fee, a deposit is not required. Once I confirm your date and time it will be placed on my calendar.
If you need to change the time of your ceremony, please contact me as soon as possible to confirm my availability as I may have other commitments that day.
Sorry, no. Without going into great detail, my authority to officiate marriages requires a valid Wisconsin issued marriage license. "Officiating" a mock wedding without the required license, could be considered fraud, of which I could be held a party.
The Original Certificate of Marriage will be filed within 3 days at the register of deeds office in the county in which you were married. (Typically Walworth County) You may have received a form in your marriage packet to fill out and mail in to request copies.
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