1. Booking & Retainer

A $150 non-refundable retainer is required to reserve your ceremony date. Your ceremony date is reserved once the signed agreement and retainer have been received. The retainer is applied toward your total balance.

2. Final Payment

The remaining balance is due seven (7) days before your ceremony date. If the remaining balance has not been received by that date, Verus & Vow™, LLC reserves the right to cancel the booking. In that event, the retainer is forfeited and any payments beyond the retainer are refunded.

Bookings made with less than seven (7) days’ notice are subject to a $65 last-minute booking fee, and payment in full (including the retainer, package price, and any applicable fees) is due at the time of booking.

3. Rescheduling

Life happens, and I’d rather move with you than against you.

• Rescheduling with 30 or more days' notice: no fee. Your retainer transfers to the new date, subject to availability.

• Rescheduling with less than 30 days' notice: a $75 rescheduling fee applies.

• The retainer may transfer one time. A second reschedule requires a new retainer.

• If the new date falls outside the included travel area, standard travel fees apply.

• The last-minute booking fee does not apply to rescheduled ceremonies.

4. Cancellation

Your retainer is non-refundable because your date has been reserved exclusively for you, preventing other bookings from being accepted for that date. If you cancel, any payments beyond the retainer are refunded, less any services already performed or non-refundable expenses already incurred on your behalf.

The parties agree that the actual damages resulting from cancellation would be impracticable or extremely difficult to determine, and that the retainer represents a reasonable estimate of those damages.

5. Arrival & Delays

I arrive approximately 30 minutes before your scheduled ceremony time.

A 30-minute grace period is included at no charge. Beyond that, delays are billed at $50 per additional 30 minutes, payable the day of. If a ceremony is delayed more than 90 minutes past the agreed start time, I may need to depart for a prior commitment; in that event, fees paid are non-refundable.

6. Travel

Travel is included for ceremonies throughout Contra Costa County, Alameda County, and San Francisco. Locations beyond these areas are warmly welcomed and are subject to a flat $75 travel fee.

7. Marriage License

You are responsible for obtaining a valid California marriage license prior to your ceremony, and for ensuring it is presented at the ceremony. A ceremony cannot be legally solemnized without it.

California marriage licenses are valid for ninety (90) days from the date of issuance. Public marriage licenses require at least one witness present at the ceremony; confidential marriage licenses do not. You are responsible for ensuring any required witness is present.

I complete the officiant’s portion and return your license to the issuing county within ten (10) days of your ceremony, as required by California Family Code §359. I am not responsible for delays caused by the county, nor for obtaining your certified copies.

8. Ceremony Content

Custom-written ceremony scripts are included with the Personalized Ceremony package. Drafts, revisions, and planning support correspond to the package selected. Ceremony scripts remain the intellectual property of Verus & Vow™, LLC and are provided for your personal use.

9. Scope of Services

Services are limited to ceremony officiating and solemnization, and to the planning and writing support included in your selected package. Verus & Vow™, LLC does not provide event planning, coordination, décor, florals, vendor management, or guest experience services.

10. Photography & Social Media

I’d love to celebrate your day. With your written permission, Verus & Vow™, LLC may use select ceremony photographs or video for portfolio, website, and social media purposes. Permission is entirely optional, never assumed, and is confirmed in your booking agreement. You may withdraw it at any time.

11. Weather

Outdoor ceremonies proceed rain or shine unless the couple or venue determines otherwise. Verus & Vow™, LLC is not responsible for weather-related decisions made by the couple or venue, and such decisions do not alter the terms above.

12. If I Am Unable to Attend

In the rare event that serious illness, emergency, or circumstances beyond my control prevent me from officiating, I will make every reasonable effort to arrange a qualified replacement officiant at no additional cost to you. If no replacement can be secured, all payments (including the retainer) are refunded in full.

13. Force Majeure

Neither party is liable for failure to perform due to circumstances beyond reasonable control, including severe weather, natural disaster, government restriction, serious illness, accident, or other emergency. In such cases, both parties agree to work together in good faith toward a reasonable solution, including rescheduling where possible.

14. Limitation of Liability

The total liability of Verus & Vow™, LLC under this agreement is limited to the total amount paid by the couple.

15. Governing Law & Disputes

This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of California. Any dispute shall be resolved in Contra Costa County.

In any action to enforce this agreement, the prevailing party is entitled to recover reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.

16. Agreement

Signed agreement and payment of the retainer constitutes acceptance of these terms. This document represents the entire agreement between the parties and may be modified only in writing.

My Commitment to You

Your ceremony marks one of the most meaningful moments of your lives together, and I don’t take that lightly. My commitment is to arrive prepared, communicate clearly, honor what you envision for your ceremony, and officiate your ceremony with professionalism, genuine care, and deep respect for your love story.

Last updated: August 2026