Ceremonies For Life: 10 Questions with Reverend A. Benae Colbert

Officiant - Reverend A. Benae Colbert

Business: Ceremonies For Life
Location: Austin, Texas TX
Experience: 17+ Years
Profile: Ceremonies For Life
Website: www.ceremoniesforlife.org

1. Introduction: What's your story?

Hi, I am Reverend A. Benae Colbért, founder and owner of Ceremonies for Life, practicing in and around the Austin area since 2005.

I had always secretly wanted to be a minister, mainly to marry people, since I was a little girl. Back in the 90s I was invited to a very unique ceremony here in Austin. The ceremony was a handfasting performed by a shaman/officiant, and I was just blown away at how amazing and rich and memorable the ceremony was for the couple. It reminded me of that little girl who wanted to marry people. I thought at the time: Well, l'm too young, and I'm still working in the corporate world, but when I retire, THIS is what I want to do! Just a few years later I decided to become ordained and have officiated over 200 weddings since 2005.

It gives me such joy to sit with a couple, hear their story, relate to their need to validate their relationship, and to have made the decision to be married. I have a unique talent of putting those emotions into words to create a ceremony for a couple that is memorable and represents everything they feel about one another. That is an amazing feeling.

2. What's your experience as a wedding officiant? How many weddings have your officiated?

I have officiated over 200 weddings, and I remember almost all of them. I've married people on Mount bonnell in Austin, at the Capitol in downtown Austin, in Buda, Dripping Springs, San Marcos, Smithville, Georgetown, out at Lake Travis, in backyards at a couple's home, in the middle of parks, and just about anywhere you can think. I am continually amazed at how each wedding and couple is so unique. And even more amazed at how people truly enjoy attending weddings. It's a very special energy and atmosphere, and I don't blame them! It's part of why I do it!

3. How far in advance do couples need to secure your services?

I can marry a couple immediately if they have their license. It's really up to them. Most of the time people enjoy sitting down and talking through what they want their ceremony text to be and what kind of meaning should be included in it. But I do have couples who say, we rely on you to come up with something that reflects us, and that's just fine with me. However long it takes to create a ceremony for a couple happens organically.

4. How would you describe your officiant style?

My style has been described as fun, sweet, kind, thoughtful, reverent, and even a little irreverent!

Mostly, I would like to think that my style is: someone that couples can count on to leave them through the process and take care of much as I can to remove any nervousness or stress they have about their wedding. I've had couples who don't have a day of coordinator or someone to walk them through choreography of their ceremony. So, sometimes I end up being the day of coordinator!
It's something that comes easily to me and I love to do.

5. What are your fees for officiating a wedding?

I have three packages:
1) Short & Sweet ceremony for elopements or "micro-weddings" which includes a pre-written ceremony. That one is $100, and the ceremony must take place within 15 miles of Downtown Austin. The couple must have their valid, current marriage license and IDs. Less than 30 minutes and they are married.

2) The Foundational Package which ranges from $200-$250, depending on weekday or weekend.

3) The Custom Package, which ranges from $300-$350, depending on weekday or weekend.

The Foundational and Custom packages include a meet and greet, the ceremony consultation, the rehearsal, the day of ceremony, and I mail in the license for the couple. Rest assured, along the way I spend as much time as needed to get the ceremony text and context exactly how the couple wants it to be.

6. What do you wear when you officiate a wedding?

During the ceremony consult I spend a little time with couples asking them about their colors and they're attire and the flowers, etc. I let them know that I have a couple of robes, with a couple of different colors and styles of stoles, and then find out what their preference is. They usually leave it up to me. I try and keep it very professional and simple, but I normally wear robes.

I did officiate a wedding down in Corpus Christi and of course it was Beach attire. That was pretty fun!

7. How many pre-wedding sessions will the couple need to have with you?

Most of the time I will have a phone or video call with couples, and I call that a Meet and Greet. It really helps couples to get to know me, and me them. That time helps them make a decision if we are a good fit. We then schedule what I call a consult. We meet in person somewhere, such as a coffee shop, sit down, get to know each other, and we talk through their ceremony needs. I then write their ceremony for them and we usually will email and/or call a few times back and forth to make sure it's right, and to get their formal approval.

8. Will you be able to create a personalized ceremony?

Every ceremony I create for a couple is personalized. Because I am a writer, and have over 17 years of officiating weddings, I have tons of content and resources and am able to create a perfect wedding ceremony based on what the couple wants.

9. Are you available to travel if needed?

The weddings I conduct are usually around Austin and the Hill Country area. I have traveled for weddings to Houston, to the beach in Corpus Christi, up in Dallas even. If a couple wants to get married in the bahamas, and I'm the officiant for them, have suitcase, will travel!

10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?

I only require a $50 non-refundable deposit to hold the date which is due at my initial consult with the couple. The remaining balance is due on or before the actual wedding date. That gives couples plenty of time to either check that off the list or wait till the last minute to take care of the cost. Unfortunately, life happens, and things change. That gives couples an option in case their plans change.