Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you might be wondering—from ceremony details to logistics and what to expect along the way.

BOOKING & PROCESS

  • Are there hidden costs? My fee is all-inclusive, covering consultation calls, ceremony writing, revisions, officiating, and marriage license filing. The only add-ons are: premarital counseling, attendance at your rehearsal, and travel fees for ceremonies more than 100 miles from NW DC.

  •  As many times as you need. My typical workflow looks like: intro call → love story interview → editorial discussion (if needed) → ceremony finalized → final walkthrough call → wedding day. In the final weeks before your wedding, you'll hear from me more frequently.

  • I'm protective of couples' private ceremonies — they're not mine to share publicly — but I do have a video clip that includes some of my work on my homepage.

  • Anywhere within 100 miles of Washington DC, including all of Northern Virginia (Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Loudoun, Prince William counties), Maryland (Montgomery, Howard, Prince George's, Anne Arundel counties), Washington DC, West Virginia, and Delaware. Getting married farther out? Let's talk — I'm often able to make it work with advance notice.

CEREMONY & PERSONALIZATION

  • How much say do we have? A lot of say. For a custom ceremony, I start with a one-hour love story interview where you tell me about your relationship — how you met, what you love about each other, what makes you you as a couple. I take detailed notes and draft a ceremony from scratch. You review it, give feedback, and we revise until it's exactly right. For a standard or elopement ceremony, I work from an existing framework and personalize it with your input.

  • Can you do a ceremony with zero mention of God or spirituality?

    Yes — and honestly, this is where I shine. The majority of my couples are secular, and I love crafting ceremonies that are meaningful, moving, and completely faith-free. Your ceremony will be 100% authentic to you.

  • We want to honor some religious or cultural traditions, even if we're not personally religious. Is that okay?

    Absolutely. I maintain an extensive library of traditions, rituals, and readings from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds — and I'm always adding to it. If it's important to you, it's important to me. Just know, you'll need to supply any physical props the ritual requires.

  • Will you help us? Yes and yes. If you want to write personal vows, we'll make that work. I'm happy to share examples and guidance, but there's truly no wrong way to do it. I typically suggest 500–750 words as a sweet spot, but it's really up to you.

  •  Most ceremonies run 15–20 minutes. The shortest I've done was 10 minutes (I'd gently talk you out of that). Ceremonies with multiple readings or speakers can run up to 45 minutes — I generally recommend not exceeding that, especially for outdoor ceremonies where guest comfort matters.

Absolutely, and enthusiastically. I marry all couples regardless of age, gender, race, or background. Full stop.

DO YOU mARRY LGBTQIA+ cOUPLES AND nONTRADITIONAL fAMILIES?

WEDDING DAY DETAILS

  • At least one hour before the ceremony begins — always. I use that time to connect with your other vendors, do a walkthrough of the space, and make sure everything is in order before your guests arrive. Your timeline should never have to wait on me.

  •  Married by Miller is a one-woman operation, but I have relationships with three other trusted officiants I could call on in an emergency. I take that responsibility seriously and have never left a couple without coverage.

LEGAL DETAILS

  • Yes — happily. Marriage license requirements vary by state, so I'll walk you through exactly what you need to do in advance. After the ceremony, I'll file your license with the appropriate court. You'll receive a keepsake certificate the evening of your wedding and can order certified copies for insurance, name changes, and other legal purposes.

  • Can you help with a legal name change after the wedding? Yes! I can walk you through the name change process in your state, provide a checklist of required documents, and connect you with additional services if needed.

ADD-ONS

  • Is premarital counseling required? I don't require it, but I do offer it as an add-on for couples who are interested. The process uses the Prepare/Enrich framework — you and your partner each complete a survey separately, and then we meet to discuss the results together. It's a great way to start a marriage intentionally.