Intimate Officiant Recommendation: Elf or Rev. Jack?

[starseed]

Hello!
We are currently trying to decide between Jo Anne Elf Pessagno and Rev. Jack Day for our officiant. They both have been very responsive and we are waiting for a sample ceremony via email (from Jo Anne) and Jack's Pak in the mail.

We are planning a very small Intimate and would like a ceremony which is non-denominational and an officiant who could infuse their personal touch, as well as our own personal history and value into the ceremony.

I would appreciate it if any of you out there can share your experiences and maybe some aspects of the ceremony you liked specifically because of your officiant? Also, what was your deciding factor for choosing your officiant?

Thanks!

 

[Mary626]

I will be using Joann Elf Pessagno in 17 days so I will let you know how it goes. So far via email she has been very helpful and quick to respond

 

[MrsTink04]

We had Rev. Jack and LOVED him!!! He did exactly what we wanted and was SO sweet and easy to work with!!!

 

[JandJ]

I don't know the other person, but I cannot say enough wonderful things about Rev. Jack Day! He was just perfect for our Intimate wedding. He and I only communicated by e-mail and one phone call and on our wedding day it was like he'd known us for years. He made both DH and I feel very comfortable. Our best man could not attend last minute and Rev. Jack gave our toast - it was really heartfelt. He performed the ceremony exactly as we wanted. We had combined a few of the different ceremonies he sent us, I just typed it up and e-mailed it to him and he was very kind and caring in his memorial prayer for my mom
A lot of brides (and grooms) on here have used him and I've never heard a negative thing about Rev. Jack.

Best Wishes

 

[princessblueeyzes]

Hi we are using Rev. Jack Day.I have only spoken to him once and he is the sweetest man. He reminded me a lot of how my grandpa is, and that made me feel more comfortable.

 

[tcp1005]

Rev Jack Day was the officiant for my wedding in 1996. I remember choosing him after I spoke with him the first time as it felt like i'd known him for years. Our ceremony was perfect, partly thanks to him.

Good luck deciding! You won't go wrong either way I'm sure.

 

[Tinkerbellz]

Does anyone know if I can bring my own officiant? I am planning an intimate VR ceremony.

He is a local Rabbi whom I love very much. I've known him for years and I really want him to perform our ceremony. I have learned that the intimate "rules" are different from the custom in many ways. Just wondering.

Thanks in advance.

Lisa

 

[hiwaygal]

Does anyone know if I can bring my own officiant? I am planning an intimate VR ceremony.

He is a local Rabbi whom I love very much. I've known him for years and I really want him to perform our ceremony. I have learned that the intimate "rules" are different from the custom in many ways. Just wondering.

Thanks in advance.

Lisa

Ask Disney to be sure...but I don't think it will be a problem especially since your ceremony is a VR not an actual wedding.

That is the only real difference with Disney VR versus Weddings.

If you were doing an actual wedding, your officiant would need to be licensed in the state of Florida to be able to sign the wedding license/certificate.

However, you are already married! So you don't need to worry about that little logistical detail!

Our Disney "wedding" was technically a vow renewal. We were legally married here at home because it was just easier (and cheaper) for us to get all the license/legal stuff done here at home.

Our officiant was Rev. Kevin and all he did was recite the vows I wrote for our ceremony. He didn't need to sign anything...since your VR would be essentially the same thing, I don't see why you couldn't bring your own! Especially now since Disney doesn't include that cost in the package.

Hope that helps!

 

[janine]

We had Rev. Jack and he was lovely.
He got down on one knee and kissed my hand when we met.
I just loved him!

 

[Tinkerbellz]

Thanks Hiwaygal!

That's the kind of information I've come to count on from the DIS. I will check when I get closer to actually being able to do anything. I've read wonderful things about the other officiants on here but I just love the Rabbi! He teaches at the college where I work (and attend classes). I'm his biggest cheerleader. I couldn't imagine anyone else I would want to have at my ceremony. He knows us so well.

Thanks again!

 

[bridegirl]

Rev. Jack!

He is lovely and warm and wonderful.

Pixie dust,

Susy

 

[Janet2k]

We are currently trying to decide between Jo Anne Elf Pessagno and Rev. Jack Day for our officiant. They both have been very responsive and we are waiting for a sample ceremony via email (from Jo Anne) and Jack's Pak in the mail...

I would appreciate it if any of you out there can share your experiences and maybe some aspects of the ceremony you liked specifically because of your officiant? Also, what was your deciding factor for choosing your officiant?

I mentioned in my trip report why I had chosen Jo Ann (Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Elf Pessagno, DDMS) to perform the ceremony for my vow renewal: click here. Look for Post # 183 on that page.

I also described my first meeting with Jo Ann in another trip report: click here. Look for Post # 89 on that page.

As to my vow renewal, Jo Ann worked out beautifully. I couldn’t have been more pleased with the service that she had created for my husband and I. It was short but sweet, exactly what we had wanted (approximately 15 – 20 minutes).

I have a few photos to share of Jo Ann from my vow renewal:
Photo # 1
Photo # 2
Photo # 3

The first photo shows Jo Ann as she entered the Wedding Pavilion. The second photo shows Jo Ann standing at the altar with the rest of my vow renewal party.

The last photo is my favorite photo of Jo Ann. It shows just how sweet she is. My husband messed up during the ceremony and had us all in stitches because of it. The look on Jo Ann’s face is priceless. She handled his mess-up with grace and charm. It made our ceremony just that more special.

If Rick and I renew our vows again in Walt Disney World, I will ask Jo Ann to perform our ceremony. I couldn’t imagine anyone else handling it.