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Hello!
I 'm Kim (she/her), and I am an ordained minister through the Universal Life Church, the Church of Spiritual Humanism, and American Marriage Ministries, and I love to perform weddings!
I believe that we are all children of the universe, no matter what religion, race, gender, or sexual orientation. We are all deserving of respect, and I am committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive space for all. Everyone is entitled to worship and celebrate according to what is right for them, and my ministry and celebrant service aims to support you and your choices in celebrating the special and important occasions in your life.
From the completely secular to non-denominational Christian or inter-faith ceremonies, to the purely pagan or spiritual, my goal is to provide a celebration service that is meaningful to you. I have experience with many different cultures, languages and religions, and am comfortable in the most formal settings through to the barefoot backyard party, so please feel free to express your wants in devising the perfect ceremony for you.
In addition to marrying couples, I am honoured to officiate many important life occasions, such as funerals, memorials, and baby blessings and baptisms. I am also a Certified Floral Designer and a wedding and event florist for weddings, corporate events and parties with Bloom Event Designs.
On a personal note, my husband, and I are originally from New Zealand, and are proud to be American citizens. We have been happily married since 2001, have 2 children and standard poodles, and live in beautiful Broomfield, Colorado.
To learn more about the services I offer, please visit the Ceremonies and Services pages, the calendar on the Contact page for availability, and for more details about my Packages. If you have any questions or comments, I invite you to Contact me!
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Associate Officiants
From time to time, couples may find that I am already booked or that I'm unavailable for their date. My trusted associate officiants are also available to officiate weddings and ceremonies, and I am so delighted to introduce them to you!
Rev. Victoria Maxwell
Victoria and I have been friends for many years and I describe her as the "blonde American version of me!"
Originally from California, her bubbly personality and wide experience with all sorts of people and social situations make her a perfect complement to your wedding. Rev. Victoria will happily stand in for me when I am unavailable, and is also a wonderful choice to officiate at your wedding, or any other type of service. Please email her at victoriamaxwell1@me.com or call 949.302.4468 to speak to her directly.
Rev. Norie Hamilton
Norie is an accomplished wedding planner with many years of professional wedding experience, so she brings a wealth of expertise to your wedding! You couldn't find a more lovely officiant to marry you!
She says...
"After planning and assisting couples in their wedding, I realized that there is one part of a wedding I have never experienced. The pleasure of actually preforming their ceremony. So with that goal in mind, I became a member of the American Marriage Ministers this last spring.
With my designation as a Master Wedding Planner ™ with the ABC and now my AMM, my experience with all parts of ceremonies and receptions is extensive. Along with my experience and being mentored by one of the best in the industry, Rev. Kim Tavendale, I look forward to sharing this very personal time with couples.
Congratulation to all couples ready to begin a new journey together."
Norie Hamilton | Weddings by Norie
Master Wedding Planner™ Association of Bridal Consultants
AMM, American Marriage Minster
303.263.4498 mobile | 303.452.4802 office
norie.weddingsbynorie@aol.com
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"Reverend Kim Tavendale? We loved her! She made it easy to plan our ceremony even though we don't live in Colorado. She took the time to get to know us over the phone, and designed a ceremony that was completely our style. We felt like she really understood who we are. I couldn't dream of a better fit... one of our favorite vendors!"
Diana & Theo
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Colorado Venues
Rev. Kim has performed over 1,000 weddings & ceremonies at many venues, including...
American Mountaineering Center | Archetype Distillery | Arrowhead Golf Club | Artworks (Sparks) Gallery | Baldoria on the Water | Balistreri Vineyards | Battery @ 621 | Beck Recreation Center | Bella Sera Event Center | Black Bear Country Club | Black Canyon Inn | Blackstone Country Club | blanc | Boettcher Mansion | Boulder Country Club | Briarwood Inn | Brittany Hill | Brookside Gardens | Brown Palace | Butterfly Pavilion | Cable Center | Callahan House | Chapel at Red Rocks | Chatfield Farm & Gardens | Chautauqua Park Dining Hall | Cheesman Park | Cherokee Ranch & Castle | Cherry Creek Yacht Club & Marina | Chief Hosa Lodge | Church Ranch Event Center | Cielo at Castle Pines | City Park | Clear Creek History Park | Cliff House at Pikes Peak | Clock Tower Events | Colorado Renaissance Festival | Colt & Gray Restaurant | Coohills Restaurant | Coors Field | Crags Lodge | Curtis Ballroom at The Landmark | Deer Creek Valley Ranch | Della Terra Mountain Chateau | Denver Athletic Club | Denver Botanic Gardens | Denver Country Club | Denver Museum of Science & Nature | Devil's Thumb Ranch | Dickens Opera House | Dunafon Castle | Ellis Ranch | El Rancho Brewing Company | Evergreen Lake House | Flagstaff House Restaurant | Fossil Trace Golf Club | Four Mile Historic Park | Four Seasons Denver | Four Seasons Vail | Garden of the Gods Resort & Club | Genesee Park | Golden Hotel | Granby Ranch | Grand Hyatt Denver | Grand Lake Yacht Club | Grant-Humphreys Mansion | Hermit Park | Highlands Ranch Mansion | Hotel Monaco | Hotel Teatro | Hudson Gardens | Ironworks | Kevin Taylor's at the Opera House | Keystone Ranch | Lionscrest Manor | Lionsgate Event Center | Lost Gulch Lookout | Lyons Farmette | Manor House | McCreery House | Mile High Stadium | Mile High Station | Miramonte (Copper Leaf) Event Center | Mount Sanitas | Mount Vernon Country Club | Moss Denver | Oxford Hotel | Panorama Point at Golden Gate Canyon Park | Parkside Mansion | Pelican Lakes Country Club | Pine St Church | Pines at Genesee | Piney River Ranch | Planet Bluegrass | Red Lion (Wedgewood) Boulder | Red Rocks Park | Rembrandt Yard | Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulf | Ritz-Carlton Denver | River Bend | Sanctuary Golf Course | Shupe Homestead | Silverthorne Pavilion Skyline Denver | Skyline Park | Snow Mountain Ranch | Space Gallery | Spruce Mountain Ranch | Standley Lake Park | St Julian Hotel | Sunrise Amphitheatre | Sunshine Mountain Lodge | Sunspot Lodge | Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch | Taharaa Mountain Lodge | Tapestry House | Terrace Gardens at Ken Caryl | The Arrabelle at Vail Square | The Barn at Evergreen Memorial Park | The Chateaux at Fox Meadows | The Falls Event Center | The Lodge at Breckenridge | The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera | The Pinery at the Hill | The Preserve at Bingham Hill | The Venue at Crooked Willow Farms | Three Trees Chapel | Trading Post at Red Rocks | Trappers Cabin Beaver Creek | Union Bar & Soda Fountain | University Club Denver | Vehicle Vault | Villa Parker | Wellshire Event Center | Werth Manor | Westin Downtown Denver | Westin Westminster | Wiens Ranch | Wild Basin Lodge | Wild Skies Cabin | Willow Ridge Manor | YA YA Farm & Orchard | YMCA Of The Rockies Estes Park
...as well as many private residences, vacation rentals & hotel rooms, restaurants, hot air balloons, parks & open spaces throughout Colorado!
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Engaged Couple's Interview With Reverend Kim Tavendale...
Please take a moment to read this before hiring Rev. Kim.
Please take a moment to read this before hiring Rev. Kim.
Q. How long have you been during what you do and why did you become an officiant?
A. People kept saying how much they loved my accent & how they would love to have me marry them and capture it on video, and I would laugh and think they were very sweet! I am originally from New Zealand, so my accent is a little bit Kiwi, a little bit British and a little bit American. But after a dear friend made the request, I was ordained in 2009 so I could perform her wedding. Then an engaged couple asked if I would do theirs, and since I adore love stories, one couple led to another and then another, and pretty soon I was hooked on hitching people!
Q. Do you marry same-sex or trans couples?
A. Absolutely! I have been an ally to the LGTBQ+ community for over 30 years, and have people I love - family, friends, colleagues and clients - who are members of the community. You are welcome here, and I am over the moon to help you celebrate finding your forever person!
Q. We love your Services and Packages. Everything sounds fantastic. So can you tell me what sets you apart from all the other officiants?
A. Well, apart from the fact that I sound different to most officiants (lol!) one of the main differences is that I custom write each ceremony for each couple. I mean, no two couples are exactly the same, so why should their ceremonies be the same? I have many years of public speaking and writing experience, combined with a wicked sense of humour and a healthy dose of geekiness, and I am genuinely interested in you as individuals and as a couple. I strive to create ceremonies that are personal, fun, heartfelt, and that will hold the interest of your family and friends in attendance. My goal is to incorporate your personalities and your story into your wedding ceremony so it truly reflects who you are as a couple. I'm also very open to doing whatever I can to make your day as perfect as I can, so if you want me to dress up in a costume, or learn phrases in another language... I will!
Q. This all seems wonderful, but it also seems expensive. Are we going to be able to afford this?
A. As with everything, you really do get what you pay for. The relatively small outlay for a professional officiant could mean the difference between smiling or cringing when you look back at your wedding. As a professional officiant, I take pride in what I do. I want to be the very best, and give you your perfect ceremony.
Not everyone can stand in front of an audience and officiate, so someone who is not a celebrant or an experienced public speaker may get stage fright, blurt out something inappropriate, or chicken out at the last minute, leaving you embarrassed or in the lurch. Your memories of your ceremony should be joyous and focused on the beautiful vows you made to one another, not on the terrible job so-and-so did.
My fees are exceptionally reasonable, given the time and care I put into meeting with you, being available to you by phone and email, researching traditions, readings and other elements of your wedding, drafting and editing your ceremony, travel, the rehearsal, not to mention the big day itself! After all is said and done, the ceremony is the reason for the celebration!
Not everyone can stand in front of an audience and officiate, so someone who is not a celebrant or an experienced public speaker may get stage fright, blurt out something inappropriate, or chicken out at the last minute, leaving you embarrassed or in the lurch. Your memories of your ceremony should be joyous and focused on the beautiful vows you made to one another, not on the terrible job so-and-so did.
My fees are exceptionally reasonable, given the time and care I put into meeting with you, being available to you by phone and email, researching traditions, readings and other elements of your wedding, drafting and editing your ceremony, travel, the rehearsal, not to mention the big day itself! After all is said and done, the ceremony is the reason for the celebration!
Q. Who do you work best with?
A. I love to work with couples who want something unique for their ceremony. I custom write each ceremony for each couple. That way, we can be sure to include everything a couple wants (and nothing they don't want!) in their ceremony. So the best couples for me are ones who want to express their personalities and interests in their ceremony, or who are looking for someone who is just as at home in the finest hotels as the friendliest backyards, who will craft a personal, fun and heartwarming ceremony just for them.
On the professional side, it is really helpful to be able to work with your planner or day-of co-ordinator, or the venue co-ordinator, and also your phtographer and DJ or musicians for the ceremony. That way, we can cover all the bases, such as where the ceremony will take place, any tables or equipment that we'll need, and how we will communicate when everyone is ready to start the ceremony. Your photographer can then know in advance what picture-perfect moments will happen throughout the ceremony and be in the best position to capture them for you, and your DJ/musicians will know exactly when to play your chosen songs!
On the professional side, it is really helpful to be able to work with your planner or day-of co-ordinator, or the venue co-ordinator, and also your phtographer and DJ or musicians for the ceremony. That way, we can cover all the bases, such as where the ceremony will take place, any tables or equipment that we'll need, and how we will communicate when everyone is ready to start the ceremony. Your photographer can then know in advance what picture-perfect moments will happen throughout the ceremony and be in the best position to capture them for you, and your DJ/musicians will know exactly when to play your chosen songs!
Q. Who is not going to benefit from your help?
A. Couples who are being married in their church by their pastor, rabbi or priest may not need my help. However, there are a great many couples who don't belong to a church, or have different religions, or aren't particularly religious, or are atheists, or are more spiritual in their beliefs, or are a same-sex couple, who would prefer a professional officiant to conduct their ceremony. Some churches have a policy of not performing ceremonies outside of their location, so couples wanting to hold a ceremony at their desired location may need a professional officiant. From parks to restaurants, hotels to mountainsides, chapels, backyards, amusement parks, hot air balloons and private homes, I am happy to perform your wedding ceremony wherever you want it to be!
Q. Do you have a back up if you can't be there?
A. Absolutely! Part of my service is to draft the entire ceremony so that you can review everything that will be said and done during your ceremony and make any and all changes that you want to it. I have several other ministers I can call on to faithfully perform the ceremony as approved by you, in the unlikely event that I am unable to attend. I am pleased to introduce my associate officiants, Rev. Victoria Maxwell and Rev. Nori Hamilton, who can not only stand in for me, but also are wonderful officiants.
Q. Will I lose control of my ceremony if you are writing it for me?
A. The short answer here is - no! It's your day, so it's my goal to provide you with the ceremony that you both want. After meeting with you, I will spend hours in front of my computer creating the first draft of your ceremony, sending it to you both for your input, making the changes you want, and sending it back and forth until you are completely satisfied. It really is your day, and the ceremony really is all about you two.
Q. Will you work with the vendors I've already found or the people I really want to work with?
A. Of course! You should feel comfortable with everyone who is helping you make your wedding day dream come true. When your wedding vendors work well together, it makes your special day go so much smoother. That is one of the benefits of having over a decade in the Colorado wedding industry and belonging to industry groups - being able to work with trusted professionals who I know do a fabulous job for their clients is very important to me for a great outcome to your wedding. It also means I have many resources at my fingertips.
Q. Do you take credit cards, and can I have a payment plan?
A. Yes, I do offer the option to use a credit card in person or online. Payment of the packages is in two parts - the first payment is a $200 non-refundable retainer to secure your booking on your chosen wedding date, with the second payment of the balance (the Package price minus the retainer) to be paid prior to the ceremony. I try to be as accommodating as possible so as to work within your budget and timeline.
Q. Do you take more than one wedding per day?
A. If you wish to reserve your day as an exclusive date, you may do so with the Wedding package and request your wedding as an exclusive day.
I try to schedule ceremonies at a minimum of 3 to 4 hours apart, depending on location, to ensure I have plenty of time to finish one ceremony and arrive at the next ceremony at the appointed time.
However, if you are planning a wedding somewhere where it wouldn't be reasonable to drive to the rehearsal and back to my home and then to the wedding and back, an Exclusive Day option is available so that you can be assured of my complete attention for your entire wedding.
I try to schedule ceremonies at a minimum of 3 to 4 hours apart, depending on location, to ensure I have plenty of time to finish one ceremony and arrive at the next ceremony at the appointed time.
However, if you are planning a wedding somewhere where it wouldn't be reasonable to drive to the rehearsal and back to my home and then to the wedding and back, an Exclusive Day option is available so that you can be assured of my complete attention for your entire wedding.
Q. This sounds like everything we've been looking for. What happens next to start the process?
A. The next step is for you to call me at the office on 720.432.1650 or on my cell 561.306.4382 to set up your complimentary 'get acquainted' consultation. I want to hear about your needs and find out which package fits your personalities, style and budget best.
Q. May we contact some former clients or vendors to see what it's like to work with you?
A. Absolutely! You can also look at some testimonials from Happy Couples in the Kind Words section of that page.
Q. We have a couple more questions before getting started. Can I call you to discuss further?
A. Yes - your questions are important to me, which is why I offer a complimentary consultation, and you can reach me on 720.432.1650 or 561.306.4382 (my cellphone) or contact me. I'm always happy to talk to you about your wedding!
It is a joy for me to be involved in such special times in people's lives!
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Learn more! Check out these other great news reports and blogs!
Fox31 www.kdvr.com news report
Save The Date Events blog by Debbie Orwat
The Huffington Post article
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Rev. Kim is also a certified floral designer and an owner partner in Bloom Event Designs,
a luxury floral design company specialising in weddings & events.
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