As Pagan Clergy, we are servants of our Community. To that end, both Katrina and Ashleigh are available for the important Life Passages – child blessing, weddings/handfastings, funerals, and the like.

These are offered by appointment only, and our availability is often limited.

For more information or to schedule any of these, please email us at BBRCircle (at) BabblingBrookeReadings (dot) com

Pagan Clergy

For Weddings and Handfastings:

Four of Wands from the 1909 Coleman Smith-Waite Tarot deck/

While a wedding officiant cost can vary depending on where you are in the country, along with a number of other factors, the average cost in the U.S. is $300 with most couples spending between $200 to $450. Remember that this is only an average, and wedding officiant prices can differ from city to city and officiant to officiant. Additional expenses, like travel fees and rehearsal time, can add on to a wedding officiant’s costs.

A wedding officiant has an essential role on your big day—performing your ceremony and ensuring that you and your partner are actually married. The most obvious role of a wedding officiant is to actually prepare and perform the ceremony. Whether you choose a religious or secular officiant or want a traditional or more modern ceremony, it is their job to work with you to create a meaningful and special experience for you, your partner and your guests.

But there’s an important legal component to a ceremony officiant’s role, too. While you and your partner need to actually obtain the marriage license, your officiant will ensure that it is filled out, signed, and sent to the proper office based on your state’s marriage license laws.Your officiant may also provide premarital counseling, and/or attend your rehearsal to ensure things run smoothly on your big day.

We request a $100 minimum honorarium, payable in advance of setting your date, via PayPal or a Certified Cashiers Cheque, and require a face-to-face meeting with those being wed at least one week prior to the day of the ceremony, in order to prepare and review the legal paperwork, and go over any questions concerning the ceremony. This meeting is non-negotiable.

Take note:

We are well aware of the fraudulent scheme of “overpaying” your wedding officiant and requesting them to pay someone else’s expense. This will not happen with us. All monies received for our services are retained for our services, and any attempt at fraudulent payment is referred to the Washington State Attorney General, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and/or the Federal Bureau of Investigation or Secret Service, depending upon the transmittal method of the fraudulent payment.


The thanksgiving and blessing of a child

We offer Thanksgiving for, and Blessing of, a child, of any age. The blessing ceremony takes place at any suitable location, as chosen by the parents, and the ceremony itself is designed with the cooperation and participation of the parents and other family members and chosen friends.

Nothing is required of the parents in either commitment or belief.

At a minimum, we request travel expense reimbursement.

Sic of Cups from the 1909 Coleman Smith-Waite Tarot deck

Funeral Services, Rites for the Dead, Memorials

Trump 13 (Death) from the 1909 Coleman Smith-Waite Tarot deck

A member of the clergy or celebrant officiates memorial services ceremonies. A funeral is not a legally sanctioned ceremony and does not require any special qualifications for the person directing the service.

Clergy are recognized by a religious body whereas a celebrant might not have any religious affiliation but may have training in Funeral Services and how to give a funeral eulogy.

In order to plan for the service, clergy/celebrants usually will meet with the family a day or two before the ceremony. Sometimes the clergy/celebrant will present a eulogy or a family member or friend will have the honor.

Most ministers and clergy do not charge for their service to the family in the days before, surrounding, and after the death of a loved one. It is also considered inappropriate to ask if they “charge” for conducting a funeral service. Often, clergy members have a heart to serve those in need. No matter how rich or poor a person is, the minister will offer their services free of charge.

However, it is typical to “honor” the minister’s time, effort, and special care regarding the funeral by giving them an honorarium. A customary amount is in the range of $50 to $300, though you may go above or below that depending on your circumstances.

If you can’t afford an honorarium, tell the minister in advance. In any event, be sure to send a heartfelt thank-you note after the service.