Booking & Process

What can we expect if we book a Joyous Engagements officiant package?

∙ If you think this could be a good fit, let’s schedule a call to get to know each other. Choosing an officiant is an incredibly personal decision and I want to make sure you’ll be completely satisfied with my demeanor and style of officiating.

∙ After our consultation I’m happy to send a contract and instructions for sending a deposit. I’ll put a convenience hold on your date and let you know if anyone else is thinking about the same date.

∙ Once the contract is executed and deposit is received, you’ll get a welcome letter from me with everything you need to know for a successful day, including a timeline, a checklist, and sample ceremony wording to start mulling over.

Do you offer a consultation before we book?

Yes! I like to get to know every Joyous Engagements couple to make sure it’s going to be a good fit for all of us. We do this with a free consultation call. For those who don’t want to hop on the phone, you can also choose to fill out my inquiry form first to confirm I’m available.

How much notice is needed for services? How far in advance do we book you?

The shortest notice I’ve had is 12 hours for an elopement and 3 days for a custom tailored ceremony. Nothing is off the table!

What if you’re booked on my wedding day?

Joyous Engagements is not limited to Katie French. Katie has developed a network of competent, personable, professional officiants that can be booked through Joyous Engagements or directly. Let’s talk! Those at the top collaborate.

Do you travel for weddings? What areas do you cover?

Absolutely! Our standard packages include a commute within 30 minutes from Londonderry but the world is our oyster. The furthest I’ve traveled to marry someone was halfway across the world to Lake Como Italy.

What happens next after we book you?

Everyone receives a detailed welcome kit that tells you everything you’d ever want to know about wedding ceremonies and how I develop yours. The goal is that you are informed and educated to develop the opinions needed to give you exactly the type of ceremony you’re looking for.

Is Joyous Engagements LGBTQ friendly?

My six year old daughter recently asked me about marriage and how you got married. I explained to her

Someday she would meet the love of her life, and when she was really sure, she’d introduce him or her to us, and we’d love them too.

The point in telling you this story is that I live by the conviction that love is love. It will be a privilege to play a small role in your love story, whatever story that may be.

So. Is Joyous Engagements LGBTQ Friendly? Yes. 1,000 times yes. We are.

Have you ever had to cancel on a couple?

Joyous Engagements has a network of officiants available to marry you, all vetted, all who regularly meet to collaborate and share best practices. Because I travel for my primary job, I do have to keep a careful eye on my schedule. There has been one case where a potential work trip came up - rather than leave things to chance I immediately notified the couple of the conflict and introduced them to another officiant in my network who I had confirmed was available to take over their wedding. The couple and the replacement hit it off and the contract was transferred. This felt like the most responsible approach.

I have also covered for another officiant that had to withdraw from a service. We take care of each other. Those at the top collaborate.

Ceremony Style and Personalization

How custom is custom?

A custom ceremony means as custom as you want! Some people need a little more infrastructure and guidance to have an opinion, and others know everything they want.0-=00

Couples’ beliefs come in all shapes and sizes. It’s my goal to honor each couple individually. I’m both a Justice of the Peace AND an ordained minister - like a chameleon authorized to perform religious and civil ceremonies.

My default is to write an agnostic, love focused service with no mention to God, but for those looking to incorporate their spirituality more directly, I will both provide recommendations and welcome input and guidance for how best to reflect your beliefs.

What do couples like us often worry about?

The most common worries I hear are:

• “I don’t want anything religious” I offer secular ceremonies.

• “We hate public speaking” Lot’s of solutions - private vows, limited speaking, speedy ceremony.

• “We want it to feel real, not performative” Totally get it. Your love story isn’t a spectacle.

What are some ways we can honor a loved one who has passed?

First- I am so sorry for your loss. I have personally experienced the painful sting that special occasions bring when a loved one cannot be physically present. I have endured so many events overshadowed by grief.

I want to reassure you that you do not need to hide this experience or feel shameful that you’re grieving on otherwise joyous occasions. I also want to reassure you that it is possible to hold space for the heartache of grief AND excitement, happiness, joy, tenderness. Both things can be true.

There are so many ways to honor a loved one, including a mention during the ceremony, infusion of advice they would have given, or a dedicated space in the audience. Let’s collaborate on the best way to honor your loved one and your own journey during this difficult time.

¿Puedes tener una ceremonia bilingüe?

¡Si! Estudié español en la escuela por ocho años y he visitado muchas regiones donde español es la lengua oficial. Si necesitas una ceremonia en español, me quiere oficiarla. Puedo escribir una ceremonia con elementos españoles e inglés también. Dime lo que necesites y voy a hacerlo.

How long is a ceremony typically?

Typically 15 minutes unless the entrance by the bridal party is exceptionally lengthy.

What’s a unity ceremony? Can we have one?

Absolutely! A unity ceremony is a symbolic ritual woven into the wedding ceremony. Ultimately, these meaningful rituals are performed during a wedding to represent the union of marriage. Possibilities for a unity ceremony are endless. Here are a few I could think of off the top of my head: