Wedding ceremonies at Unity Church, Avon Colorado
I have officiated for hundreds of weddings at scores of locations in the Vail Valley.
I have performed marriages at country clubs, restaurants, private homes, the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, on Vail Mountain, in a mountain meadow and even in churches! Unity is a faith that believes there are many paths to the same God. Most of the couples I work with desire to have a spiritual service but not one that is religious or dogmatic. In addition most couples don’t want a generic service that looks and sounds like everyone else’s. Based on what we discuss your ceremony will be uniquely personalized to reflect your wishes.
We offer two levels of wedding services in Avon and in the Vail Valley: Basic and Full Service
The prices are $400 and $500 respectively. I do not charge a mileage fee to drive to a location unless it is outside the Vail Valley. In that case my mileage fee is .60¢/mile.
Basic Service - $400 USD
This is a service for couples who would like to consult with me by phone to plan the order of service, have an order of service which includes the outline below and have a wedding party, including attendants, participate in the service. This level of service is also appropriate for those couples who want to meet me at the time of their wedding for a small private ceremony. The order of service may include:
- Prelude
- Processional
- Welcome
- Bride Given
- Homily by Rev. Bissett
- Vows
- Exchange of Rings
- Blessing
- Pronouncement
- Recessional
Full Service - $500 USD
Most of the couples for which I officiate prefer a wedding ceremony that will last 20-30 minutes and that will be customized according to their wishes. I will meet with the couple for one or two hours several weeks prior to the service. We will review their wishes and I will gain an understanding of their unique desires for their wedding. If there is a rehearsal I will attend and conduct the rehearsal walking everyone through his or her parts of the ceremony. In my experience this will create a meaningful ceremony that will express the exact wishes of the couple.
Reverend Don's Credentials
I have been officiating at weddings for more than 30 years. I am a graduate of Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. I served as a pastor for several years and then returned to school to gain credentials as a psychotherapist. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado and Texas. I am also a Clinical Member and Approved Supervisor in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. If a couple would like pre-marital counseling I offer that by appointment. I do not require that the couple have any pre-marital counseling from me or anyone else. I work half time for Vail Valley Medical Center where I perform mental health evaluations and substance abuse interventions. I teach skiing part-time for Vail Resorts and in 2003 returned to congregational life as the minister at Unity of the Mountains. In addition to officiating at weddings I have also offered Baptism/Christening services and Memorial services for both members of Unity and people from the community at large. It is my honor to be with people who are in the midst of both joy and grief at services such as these.