Frequently Asked Questions

Hello, I’m Philip Lingle, Founder, Director, & Head Officiant of Love & Wisdom Inc. I have one of the best jobs in the world because I get to help couples create the wedding day experience of their dreams and achieve a happy and lasting marriage! It is very rewarding for me to contribute to people’s lives in such a positive way. I have provided some answers to frequently asked questions below, please let me know if I can answer any other questions that you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hello, I’m Philip Lingle, Founder, Director, & Head Officiant of Love & Wisdom Inc. I have one of the best jobs in the world because I get to help couples create the wedding day experience of their dreams and achieve a happy and lasting marriage! It is very rewarding for me to contribute to people’s lives in such a positive way. I have provided some answers to frequently asked questions below, please let me know if I can answer any other questions that you have.

How do you say that word??

Oh-fish-ee-ant

Not many people use the term “officiant” on a daily basis, so don’t feel bad if you didn’t know how to pronounce it. It simply refers to the “official person” who performs (or officiates) a ceremony.

Some people incorrectly use the term “officiate,” which is a verb, not a noun.

What are your prices?

Our prices range from $410 – $760, and sometimes travel fees apply depending on how far the officiant has to drive.

Here’s our Pricing Page with more details

Our prices are based on what it takes to provide a top-quality, highly personalized, professional service. We make things easy and convenient for our clients, and we bring passion and attention to detail to every wedding ceremony. If you read our reviews online, you’ll see that we strive to be the very best at what we do, and we simply don’t disappoint.

Click here to find out Why We Charge What We Charge. 

To read more about Professional Wedding Officiants pricing, check out this article on WeddingWire. 

Do I get to choose my wedding officiant?

You are welcome to request a particular officiant, but we often have limited availability. Based on your needs, including your wedding style, ceremony date, and availability, you will be matched with one of the stellar officiants who perform weddings for Love & Wisdom Inc.

You will have an opportunity to meet your potential officiant, either in-person, by phone, or video chat, to make sure that you are the right fit for each other. The highly qualified officiants of Love & Wisdom Inc. have been carefully chosen based on their experience, background, and positive energy.

Are instant online ordinations legal?

There have been legal issues in North Carolina with instant online ordinations such as Universal Life Church. All of our officiants have been ordained through legitimate organizations which satisfy the legal requirements in every state in which we work. Here’s more information on the issue: The Truth About Online Ordinations in NC

Do you have anyone to fill in if there’s an emergency?

Always! Not only do we have over a dozen officiants at Love & Wisdom Inc., but we also maintain great relationships with other officiants in the area. We always have at least one officiant on call just in case there is an emergency. We take your wedding day experience very seriously, so it is important to have this plan in place for everyone’s peace of mind.

Do you perform religious ceremonies?

Although we specialize in non-religious ceremonies, we do often incorporate religious elements. We also work with a lot of interfaith couples who have different religious traditions on either side. We work closely with them to ensure that the ceremony respects both of their families and traditions, while also being a genuine reflection of who the couple is. Striking the right balance is very important to us.

Do you officiate same-sex ceremonies?

Yes, we proudly support marriage equality and are honored to be able to legally marry same-sex couples. We view this new legislation as a victory for human rights and social justice!

Do you offer premarital counseling?

We offer our very own Premarital Essentials Program! An alternative to premarital counseling, this series of short, self-guided courses is designed to strengthen the foundation of your relationship and help you achieve a happy and lasting marriage. All of our clients have free access to these life-changing courses, but anyone can purchase them.

Do you have any testimonials from couples you have married?

Yes, you can check out hundreds of five-star reviews on WeddingWire, The Knot, and Google. We have also published many of those reviews here on our website.

Do you have liability insurance?

Yes, we have a two million dollar liability insurance policy that covers every officiant that works for Love & Wisdom Inc. This is sometimes required by certain venues, but the obvious benefit here is peace of mind.

Do you require a deposit and do you accept online payments?

Yes on both counts. We require a 50% deposit at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due 30 days prior to your wedding date. For bookings placed less than 30 days before the big day, we ask for payment in full upon booking.

We accept all credit and debit cards, payable by convenient and secure online invoices.

What areas do you serve?

Love & Wisdom Inc. serves mostly Western North Carolina, but we also serve the greater Charlotte area and Upstate South Carolina. We are happy to travel to some areas in Tennessee and Georgia as well. Check out our growing list of locations we serve here.