Minister question emergency

[PipesofLirael]

I'm having a major emergency with my minister. I went in yesterday for my wedding planning session and was informed that my minister was removed from teh official list b/c she didn't show up at someone's wedding, sent someone else, and wouldn't answer the phone for two days. Umm...what..? I'd like to think there's a logical explanation but I just don't know if I want to risk that. Plus, I don't know who else is on the list that would do an interfaith wedding, so I'm a bit confused as to what to do.

The wedding is in September, which is plenty of time except that I will be at summer stock June through August so I have to plan everything by June. What would you all recommend? Do you guys have a minister you would possibly recommend, advice, anything? I could use anything right now.

 

[Bride-to-be]

Since no one else has posted I guess I will put my two cents in.

1) In the ministers defense maybe he had a sudden death in the family or something. Maybe he had a legit reason and it only happened once.

2) Maybe the minster chronically does it and you don't want him anywhere near your wedding!!!!!

Are you having an escape wedding or something with a strict limit on the number of people? I know they count ministers in your guest list if they are not on the list of disney approved ones.

If it were me, I would contact him and tell him that you would like an explanation. If he is a good minister he shouldn't lie. I don't know if you signed a contract with him but having him get kicked off of the disney list is surely a good reason to break it.

I think Disney has really high standards and if it was something like a sudden death I don't think they would put up with it or have any sympathy.

I would talk to him and see how you feel after.

 

[Skylarr29]

I used Rev Kevin Knox, he is on the official list and was a pleasure to work with. We did not have to sign a contract but we did put a small $50 retainer to hold our date.

If Disney thought it was bad enough to take that person off their official list I wouldn't risk it. Have you asked for a copy of the list and tried to contact others? I am sure there is another minister who can perform the ceremony to your specifications and is more reliable. Yes, emergencies occur and I am very understanding of those situations but part of it is how you deal with it... no phone call and not answering calls is just not responsible.

GL

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

I had Rev. Jack Day and he was fantastic. He is on the official Disney list.

 

[CharacterFan]

I'm looking at Rev. Jack and he does interfaith or pretty much anything.

 

[PipesofLirael]

I'll check those two ministers out. I've sent the minister an email, but she hasn't responded, so of course now I'm thinking Disney was totally right. Erg.

 

[EpcotSweetHrts0512]

Check out Ron Rosenzwieg... he was awesome and we loved him. We didn't want an overly religious ceremony and he was fine with that so I'm sure he would work with an interfaith ceremony. He had lovely ceremony choices and memorized it and everything! We were so happy with him and would definitely recommend him!

 

[ElleBren]

Rev Herring was also very good. IT seems like both he and Rev Day will pretty much do any type of wedding you want.

 

[PipesofLirael]

I've gotten a no due to "Extreme religious differences" from Rev. Miller and Ron says he's not sure he has time since September is a busy month for him. I'm praying for Knox at this point or I'll just have to bring in my own minister.

 

[MegKate]

Extreme? Wow...

If you just wanted a civil ceremony, maybe a JP could do it....

 

[TootWhistlePlunkBoom]

Said Minister has moved to Massachusetts (Maryland? Maine? One of those "M" states not remotely near FL). We were told she twice sent a substitute in her place without notifying anyone. Luckily, we did get in contact with her two days before our wedding, so we avoided that little surprise.

Our solution: I asked my best friend to get ordained and officiate. It was the single best decision we made regarding the wedding - it just made the ceremony mean that much more.

Looks like she updated her website to increase her fee ($450 w/ rehearsal?!), but didn't mention the move. Cute.

 

[PipesofLirael]

Extreme just makes me feel like I'm some kind of whack job cult member. It really wasn't the sort of polite response I was expecting from a Disney approved minister.

And Toot, THANK YOU SO MUCH for telling us that!!! There is no way we're using said minister now. I can't believe this person didn't bother to mention this!

 

[BaBeeCee14]

I also used Rev. Knox and had a good experience with him.

 

[PipesofLirael]

I've contacted Rev. Knox so here's hoping for the best!

 

[Lindsay22]

I was going to suggest Rev Miller to you, since we're using him.... but I guess he's out. Seems like a weird response from him. All we needed to do was fill out a form for him....

 

[MegKate]

Extreme just makes me feel like I'm some kind of whack job cult member. It really wasn't the sort of polite response I was expecting from a Disney approved minister.

No matter what you believe in, you didn't deserve extreme!! Grrr on your behalf!

 

[tommymomo]

I would let disney know about that "extreme" remark.

MY DF and I are having a friend get ordained and marry us. Rather than risk a minister,rabbi, etc working something into the vows the neither one of us want. Plus, if someone is willing to do this for you, yo know that they are reliable enough to show up at the wedding.

good luck

 

[PipesofLirael]

Well after being rejected by Reverend Knox as well (seriously, we have ONE Wiccan ritual we want, we're not baby eating cultists dangit) we almost gave up. Then we finally got ONE positive response from Reverend Tim Herring. Thanks to those that recommended him! He'll be officiating our wedding now. You all were a great support with this little drama for me by letting me vent so thanks!!

 

[Lindsay22]

May ask I what the ritual is? I just read a book that talked about the Wiccan religion.

 

[PipesofLirael]

We wanted a Celtic handfasting, which was actually a legal form of marriage in parts of the United Kingdom well into the last century and was used as Christian ceremony for centuries. The idea of having a physical symbol of "tying the knot" was really important for us, and we even suggested using the Christian explanation for the ritual if that made it better.