Michigan Wedding Minister -  A Simple I Do, Nichole Bertucci Answers Your Most Asked Questions
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​Who is Nichole Bertucci and A Simple I Do? 

A Simple I Do is an award-winning Southeast Michigan wedding officiant service founded by Nichole Bertucci in 2007. Nichole has helped hundreds of couples get married through ceremonies that are simple, personal, welcoming, and true to who they are. A Simple I Do has received awards from WeddingWire and The Knot and has been featured on Micro Wed and Zola. With more than 300 five-star Google reviews, A Simple I Do is a trusted courthouse alternative for Michigan couples. All love is celebrated here.

Services include:

• Sign & Go: A quick, legal marriage signing without a formal ceremony.
• Sign & I Do: A short and meaningful wedding ceremony for couples who want something simple but still special.
• Full Custom Ceremony: A personalized wedding ceremony created around your relationship, values, and story.

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A Simple I Do is based in Holly, Michigan, with convenient small-wedding options in Holly and Fenton and surrounding areas. Nichole also officiates weddings throughout Oakland County, Genesee County, and surrounding Southeast Michigan communities, including Clarkston, Waterford, Milford, Grand Blanc, Davison, and Flint.
Whether you are planning a private marriage signing, courthouse alternative, elopement, small wedding, or traditional wedding ceremony, A Simple I Do makes getting legally married in Michigan feel easy, comfortable, and meaningful.

Nichole has over 190 5 star reviews on Wedding Wire and received the couples choice award in 2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2021
Nichole has over 170 5 star reviews on the knot and has received the best of wedding award multiple years running. 
Nichole has over 300 5 star reviews on google featuring what couples truly think about working with Nichole. 

Getting Started 

How to Have a Quick ​Wedding in Michigan 

How do we begin? 
Reach out through the contact form and tell me a little bit about your day, the date, location and the vibe. From there, we'll hop on a quick call or keep emailing to see if we're a good fit and talk through with ceremony option makes sense for you. No pressure, no scripts, just real conversation. 

How far in advance should we book? 
The big full ceremony book a year in advance. Sign and go and sign and I do's can be booked same week or up to 90 days in advance.  I keep a flexible schedule for last minute signings and sign and I do's. Popular days in peak months fill up fastest, so if you have a date in mind, don't wait long to reach out to me so we can start the conversation. 

Do you travel to our venue? 
Yes I regularly travel throughout Oakland and Genesee counties and sometimes further. There may be a travel fee if outside my general booking area of Fenton to Waterford. For the sign and go we do offer specific locations that are included in the cost - but for an extra fee we can discuss travel. 

Ceremony Options 

What's the difference between legal signing , short ceremony and full custom ceremony? 

• Legal sign and go - the simplest option. We meet, sign the paperwork and make it official. Perfect for the courthouse style simplicity or if you're having a separate celebration later. No ceremony is included in this option, no exchange of vows or rings, simply signing the license to make it legal. 
• Sign and I Do - A brief, meaningful ceremony with the essentials, an opening, your vows, exchange of rings (if you have them) a short reading or poem and the pronouncement. Great for an intimate gathering of 12 ish guests. You are welcome to write your own vows if you like, the rest is a beautifully written standard script. 
• Full Custom - Your complete love story, written just for you. This is where I get to know you both and craft a ceremony that sounds like you - it includes the highlights of your love story and any ceremonies or traditions you'd like to include. This is typically for the couple who has booked the venue, other vendors and needs the full shabang!

Can we personalize the script either way? 
For the Sign and I Do - you may write your own vows, the rest is a beautifully written standard script. The Full Ceremony is a fully custom ceremony script, we edit it together to make sure it is perfect for your day. 

Do you write vows for us? 
If you choose not to write your own vows, I will include some that I think fit well for you. I also have a list of options if you choose to pick one.

Booking and Pricing

What's included in each package? 

Sign and go: This is a brief meeting to sign your marriage license. Included is my services as your legal officiant meeting with you and 2 witnesses to sign the marriage license. After we sign I pronounce you as married and then we will decide who files the license as some counties allow the couple to file it and some require the officiant to file it. No ceremony is included in this service. 

Sign and I Do: This includes me as your officiant performing a short and sweet ceremony and then signing the marriage license with you afterwards. We welcome around 12 guests as we usually meet at a local park or smaller space. You are welcome to write your own vows but the rest of the ceremony is a beautiful script already written for you. This is the ideal courthouse alternative. 

Full Ceremony: For any couple who would like a custom ceremony script - one that includes the highlights of your love story, traditions or ritual ceremonies this is for you. If you are having more than 12 guests this package is for you as it includes us coordinating the rehearsal call or in person and planning our your processional and front row sitting and all the little details of your ceremony so that you can truly relax into the moment. 

How does payment/scheduling work? 
Once we confirm the details, date, time and location, I will email you a contract and invoice to sign and pay. online. The sign and go is due in full at booking the sign and I do and Full ceremony require a 50% non refundable retainer with the balance due 5 days before your wedding day. 

Day of Logistics 

Do you run the rehearsal? 
The full ceremony package is the only one that includes a rehearsal the week of the ceremony via phone. I love to attend the onsite rehearsal and help to coordinate and run it for you, there is an extra $100 fee for this. The signing and sign and I do, do not include a rehearsal. 

What do you wear? 
I dress to blend in and compliment your day. Typically a black dress or black suit. If you have a specific request just let me know I usually can accommodate. 

What if it rains? 
Our Sign and Go and Sign and I Do packages are booked rain or shine - the show will go on. 
The full ceremony usually involves your on site coordinator assisting with any adjustments needed due to rain and I simply follow the plan and help where I can. ​

MARRIAGE LICENSE HOW TO: 

Below is a list of links to the marriage application per county: We serve all counties but here's a few of the most requested. 
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Oakland     Wayne     Macomb     Genesee      Livingston     Washtenaw

​The following is required: (from the www.oakgov.com website)
1.  You must be 18 years of age to apply for a marriage application in Michigan.  Persons 16 and 17 years of age must show a certified copy of their birth certificate and have written consent of one parent or legal guardian, who must appear at the time of application with picture identification.
2.  For the purpose of marriage application, residency is determined by a current valid driver's license or state I.D.: 

• If you are a Michigan resident, you must apply in the county where you live.  If both parties are Michigan residents, you may apply in either county.  The license is valid throughout the state. 
• If both parties are out-of-state residents, you must apply in the county where you are going to be married. The license is valid in that county only.

3.  The following is required of both parties:

• Valid driver's license or state ID showing current address. 
• Birth certificate or valid passport.  If passport is used instead of birth certificate, full names of both parents and the state or country where they were born must be provided at time of application. 
• Social Security numbers of both parties pursuant to MCL 551.102.

4.  Fee per couple: $20.00 for Michigan residents; $30.00 for out-of-state residents.
5.  Apply online AND make an appointment to pick up your marriage license. 

• Your marriage license will expire 33 days from the date of application.  Do not apply if your ceremony will be held more than 34 days from today.​

Still have questions? 
Let's talk it through, no question is too small and I'd rather you ask than wonder. 

Please email me at [email protected]