Standard Package without Formal Rehearsal: $600 (plus travel)
The Standard package includes: all planning sessions (in person, by phone or via email); the creation of the ceremony; doing a walk-through of the ceremony one hour prior to ceremony start; officiating the ceremony; doing the paperwork after the wedding.
This package is great if you’re on a tight budget, or if you’ve hired a good wedding planner who can run the rehearsal with the wedding script we’ve created. Some weddings are simple enough that a separate rehearsal is really not necessary and the walk-through with the wedding party (minus the bride if she prefers to remain hidden) is sufficient to ensure a smooth ceremony.
If you would feel more comfortable with my attendance at a formal rehearsal, there is an additional charge of $250 plus travel. Please be aware that I am often not available for Friday evening rehearsals since that is a popular day of the week for weddings.
The Deluxe Package: $1000 (plus travel)
The Deluxe Package includes: all planning sessions (in person, by phone or via email); the creation of the ceremony; attending the rehearsal on any day it is scheduled (subject to availability) and the rehearsal dinner (if desired by the couple); officiating the ceremony and attending the reception (if desired by the couple); doing the paperwork after the wedding; one complimentary counseling session (for couple or individual) anytime before or after the ceremony.
This is the ideal package for couples who are having a large or difficult wedding (trying to plan from a different city, for instance) and could use the extra ministerial support along the way. You may wish to read about the Prepare/Enrich premarital counseling that I offer and see if you could benefit from this. I am happy to work directly with your other wedding professionals – musicians, florist, DJ, wedding planner, photographer, caterer – to ensure a smooth unfolding of the ceremony leading into the reception.
* * *
* travel cost is based on roundtrip MapQuest miles from my office in downtown Chicago to your ceremony location
The In-Office Saturday Elopement Special: $350
If it's just the two of you, and you want something simple but more personal than a trip to the county clerk's office, you may come and get married in my office on Michigan Ave, and perhaps enjoy photos in the park afterwards. (The Fine Arts Building is right across the street from Grant Park.) You may bring two friends and a photographer if you wish, flowers to decorate the space, a laptop with your favorite music ~ or just come in and let me take a few snaps of you on your cell phone! We'll meet once in my office beforehand, if you wish, so you can see the space and we can decide on the ceremony. Then, find a mutually agreeable Saturday morning or afternoon and your simple, carefree, romantic and personalized wedding ceremony or civil union is yours!
CHRISTENINGS
Christenings, Baptism, Baby-Naming, Welcome-to-the-World ceremonies are $500 plus travel. It includes the creation and facilitating of the ceremony. I like to meet with the parents face-to-face, but I can do this by phone since you are dealing with having a new baby!
If I officiated your wedding, the fee for a Christening is only $350 (plus travel outside of Chicago).
COUNSELING
Please see the page on this site that describes the variety of counseling that I offer.
Pastoral counseling sessions for individuals are ninety minutes in length = $75/hour
Couples counseling and Prepare-Enrich sessions are ninety minutes in length = $90/hour
*Counseling can be done in-person or over the phone.
MEDIATION
Mediation sessions for couples, families or groups are two hours in length = $125/hour
*Mediation must be done in-person
WHERE WE MEET
Office Address: 410 S. Michigan Ave ~ Suite #940 ~ Chicago, IL ~ 60605
My office is conveniently located in The Fine Arts Building in downtown Chicago across from Grant Park on the west side of Michigan Ave, just south of Van Buren and north of Congress.
It is easily accessed by the Jackson/Van Buren Metra station; South Shore Line; CTA Michigan Ave busses; and the red, blue, orange, green and purple lines of the CTA.
For parking, use the Grant Park South garage and walk up to the Van Buren exit which will lead you directly to the entrance to the Fine Arts Building.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MARRIAGE IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Applying for a License
You must both be at least 18 years old and must apply in person together - no one else can apply for the license except the two of you! You will be asked for valid identification (see below) and $30 (cash only!). No blood test is required. The license is valid the day after it is issued and for 60 days thereafter. If you were divorced within the last six months you must provide a certified copy of your divorce decree.
Obtaining a Copy after the Wedding
You do not need witnesses for your marriage in Cook County. The officiant’s signature is the only one required on the license. The officiant will sign and return the original to the CountyClerk’s office within a few days of the ceremony. A certified copy can be obtained by mail or in person 2 weeks after the ceremony from the Clerk’s office. Cook County will not automatically send you a copy of your license - you must request it!
The downtown office is open 8:30 AM to 5 PM Monday – Friday,
and from 9 AM to Noon on Saturdays. Closed Sundays and Holidays.
CookCountyBuilding
Clerk’s Office – Vital Records Division
118 N. Clark Street at Randolph
(Randolph Street Entrance / lower concourse level)
Chicago, IL60664
Valid Identification
One form of ID if submitting the following:
State driver’s license
State identification
U.S. Passport
U.S. Armed Forces ID card
Two forms if submitting one of the following:
Certified copy of Birth Certificate (translations required for foreign certificates)
U.S. Naturalization certificate
U.S. Resident Alien card
Life Insurance policy (certified, at least 1 year old)
Foreign Passport
U.S. issued Consulate ID card
Baptismal record (certified, date of birth must appear)
License Requirements in other Counties and States
If you are getting married anywhere in the United States, you can find links to the appropriate information at this website: www.usmarriagelaws.com
Rev. Rebecca Armstrong is authorized to officiate weddings in any of the fifty states. Requirements vary greatly between states and between counties within the same state, so be sure to research the requirements for the state and county in which the wedding is to be performed, not the state/county in which you live!
