FAQ
OFFICIATING FAQs
Booking: Is our date and time available?
Please contact us right away to check availability for your date! Spring and Summer weekends fill up fast, often by Valentine’s Day. There are sometimes cancellations or postponements, so please contact us to check if your date and time are available! Between the two of us, we are usually able to accommodate most requests!
Dress: What will you be wearing?
We can wear a suit, a dress, or even a costume (fees apply for costumes and rented tuxedos). Our default is black slacks and a button down long-sleeve shirt.
Friends and Family: Can my family or friends be part of our ceremony?
Your ceremony may include your friends and family. If you would like them to speak, light candles, recite poetry, dance or anything else, we can make it happen!
Length: How long is the ceremony?
That depends upon your customization, but a standard ceremony (excluding the walk up and down the aisle) is about 10 to 12 minutes. Adding elements (candle lighting, memorials, poetry, etc.) will add time. Most ceremonies are under 20 minutes. If you prefer a quick “I do” ceremony, that will only take 2 minutes (see the Price page for details).
Locations: What areas are you available to travel to?
No location is too far! We will travel anywhere you want to go to officiate your wedding ceremony! Mileage fees apply for driving locations over 20 miles from zip: 91203. We are even willing to travel out of state (travel fees will apply: hotel, airfare, car, etc.). See the Price page for more details.
Rehearsal: Will you be available to rehearse with us?
Absolutely! Check with us prior to booking your rehearsal date to see if we have availability. We charge $50/hr for participating in rehearsals, including travel time from 91203. For rehearsals held outside of the county, overnight travel fees apply. We can work out the details. Don’t you worry!
Some rehearsals are the night before the wedding; but, many rehearsals are the morning of the wedding, as all of the wedding party is usually available at that time. If you are unable to meet for rehearsal, we can walk you and your bridal party through it over the phone (no charge). It’s much easier than you could ever imagine!
Vows: Can we write our own?
Yes, of course you can write your own! We would be glad to help in this process, if you wish! We can also offer you a beautiful set of vows or suggestions for you (if you are writing your own).
Arielle or Elysia: Who will perform our wedding?
When you send an email to us at info@laweddingwoman.com, Arielle will check the calendar to see who is available to work with you on your wedding date. If both of us are available, then we take turns booking weddings. If you are also looking for a wedding photographer for your wedding, and you choose Arielle as this photographer, Elysia will officiate your marriage and perform your ceremony. See Discounts page for details. Discounts apply if you book us both!
We are not only sisters, we are best friends, great business partners, and an amazing wedding team!
WEDDING FAQs
What do I do first?
First, decide on a date! Then, start thinking about your budget (and who you can expect a donation from! 
Once you have solidified a budget, you should congratulate yourself! That’s a huge feat! Then, you must decide where you would like your ceremony and reception held. Visit your favorite venues (together) and see which ones are available on your wedding date. Once you book your venues, you can then start thinking about the details.
Though every time-line is different, the most important decisions are your date, budget and venues. Here are some sites that offer good planning / calendar suggestions:
http://wedding.weddingchannel.com/planning/checklist/12-10months.asp
http://www.weddingcram.com/wcplanner/planning_timeline.htm
How Much Does Everything Cost?
Once you have your budget nailed down, you can divide up each segment of your wedding by percentage. Many vendors will have solid, fixed prices; but, most (if not all) will be willing to work with your budget! Always ask!
If you like someone’s quality of work, or hear good things about a particular vendor, reach out to them! One way to ask is, “my wedding budget allows $(amount) for (service). Do you have any packages within my price range? Is there anything you can do to work with me?” Tell them you love their work, but are unsure if you are able to afford them (if that is the case); and, they will likely be honored and willing to work with you!
http://weddings.about.com/library/blbudgetworksheet.htm is a popular budget planner. You will find differences in your own budget based on what your preferences and priorities are. Try to stay within your total budget, making adjustments as needed per category. Perhaps, maybe your reception won’t cost as much as most budgets recommend. That will leave you more to spend on rings, flowers, or other items/services!
Advice – I can’t afford to hire a wedding planner, who can I ask for advice from?
Lucky you, the Internet has made wedding planning sooooo easy! There are tons of forums, and former brides are always posting responses to questions and offering great advice! You can also call me! I have been to hundreds of weddings as an officiant, photographer, planner, bride, bridesmaid, and guest! I can definitely offer you some sound advice!
I highly recommend: www.weddingchannel.com and www.theknot.com for advice, budget planning, wedding day timelines, ideas, and everything else you may or may not ever think of!
PHOTOGRAPHY
I noticed that Arielle Haze is also a photographer. If she is officiating my wedding, who would be photographing it?
Great question! In every one of the photography packages that Arielle Haze Photography offers (other than the Pearl package), Elysia (her sister) will officiate. Both Arielle & Elysia are experienced officiants and writers. If Elysia is booked on another event, Arielle will bring an associate photography to photograph the ceremony while she performs it. Arielle & Elysia make a great team! You will be very happy you chose them to officiate and photograph your wedding!
Please see “Discounts” page as there are often great packages available when you book both Arielle & Elysia to officiate and photograph your wedding!
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