The difference is huge and vast!  Journeys of the Heart was founded because civil ceremonies, while providing a legal wedding ceremony, do just that and only that.

In the case of a civil ceremony presided by a judge, a district judge or a justice of the peace or mayor, the person arrives at the venue with his or her little black book of civil ceremonies, reads all of the requisite words, proclaims the couple husband and wife (or for same sex couples in New Jersey, “united in civil union” – whatever that means). Journeys of the Heart weddings, in contrast, are a complete honoring and celebration of all that this union has been, is and will be.

We create a ceremony based upon who you are, not simply what state statutes require.  Make no mistake; we honor the wedding and civil union statutes of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and elsewhere.  We just know that most people hope for something sweeter and more romantic than they can offer.

Also, many people do not realize that judges, mayors and the like in Pennsylvania are strictly prohibited from accepting any personal fee whatsoever for performing wedding ceremonies.  Neither is it legal to elicit, encourage or accept a check to his/her favorite charity.  So unless people are being united in the judge’s chamber and the judge or mayor is presiding at a wedding ceremony elsewhere strictly as a favor, the acceptance of any fees whatsoever is strictly illegal!  We regret to say that we hear of many who do accept fees.

We believe it is simply not a good idea to begin married life by paying someone who is accepting money illegally.