Zephier Weddings
Services agreement
This agreement is between Legal Ties, LLC, operating as Zephier Weddings (“the officiant”), and the couple named on the booking request (“the couple”). It takes effect when the couple accepts the quote and the non-refundable deposit is received.
1. What is being paid for
Fees cover the officiant’s paperwork, time, and travel. They are not a charge for the ceremony or for any rite, blessing, or spiritual content. Those are given freely and are never sold.
2. Services
The officiant will confirm the marriage license, meet with the couple before the date as agreed, solemnize the marriage on the agreed date and time, sign the license, and return it to the issuing county within the deadline set by that state. In South Dakota the license must be returned within 10 days of the ceremony.
3. Fees
Local service is $275. Wedding day service is $450. Travel service is $450 plus mileage. The quote sent to the couple states the exact total and controls if it differs from these figures.
4. Travel and mileage
The first 30 miles out from Rapid City are included, which is 60 miles round trip. After that it is $1 per mile round trip. For example, 80 miles one way is 160 miles round trip, minus the 60 included, so 100 billable miles = $100 travel. Long-distance dates may also require lodging, quoted in advance and agreed in writing before booking.
5. Deposit and balance
A non-refundable deposit of 50 percent accepts the quote and holds the date. No date is held until that deposit is received. The balance is due 14 days before the ceremony. If the balance is not paid by then, the officiant may release the date and keep the deposit.
6. Cancellation and rescheduling
The deposit is non-refundable in all cases. If the couple cancels, any amount paid above the deposit is refunded. If the couple reschedules at least 30 days ahead and the officiant is available, the deposit moves once to the new date at no extra charge. If the officiant must cancel for any reason, every dollar paid, including the deposit, is refunded in full, and the officiant will help find a replacement officiant where possible.
7. The couple’s responsibilities
The couple must obtain a valid marriage license before the ceremony and have it, along with any witnesses that state requires, present on the day. A South Dakota license is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued. The officiant cannot solemnize a marriage without a valid license in hand and will not sign a license containing false information. If no valid license is presented, the ceremony may still take place but the marriage will not be legal, and fees are not refunded.
8. Timing and access
The officiant will arrive at least 30 minutes before the agreed start time. If the ceremony starts more than 60 minutes late for reasons outside the officiant’s control, the officiant will stay if the schedule allows and may bill additional time at $50 per half hour. The couple is responsible for site access, permits, and any venue fees.
9. Weather and events beyond control
Neither party is responsible for delay or failure caused by events beyond reasonable control, including severe weather, road closures, illness, injury, or emergency. In those cases the parties will make a good-faith effort to reschedule; the terms in section 6 apply.
10. Authority
The officiant is ordained through American Marriage Ministries and is authorized to solemnize marriages in South Dakota without state registration, as well as in North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Wyoming, and Montana. Requirements in each state, including witnesses, license validity, and return deadlines, are the couple’s responsibility to meet along with the officiant.
11. Photos and privacy
Personal information shared with the officiant is used only to perform these services and complete the legal filing, and is not sold or shared. The officiant may use photographs of the ceremony only with the couple’s written permission.
12. Limit of liability
The officiant’s total liability under this agreement is limited to the amount actually paid by the couple.
13. Whole agreement
This agreement, together with the accepted quote, is the entire agreement between the parties. Changes must be in writing and agreed by both. This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of South Dakota.
14. Acceptance
Accepting the quote and paying the non-refundable deposit means the couple has read, understood, and agreed to these terms.
Questions about anything here? Ask before you pay a deposit and the officiant will answer in writing.