The TDCJ wedding that wasn't

TDCJ and their schedules are very structured; they have strict guidelines that you must follow for your Texas Prison Wedding.   Having been to over half the units in TDCJ, we know that most units are pretty simple and easy to deal with.  However many units have their own procedure for the TDCJ marriage process.  ID first, approval first etc.

Texas Prison Weddings has their own procedure as well and when not followed, things tend to unravel.   There are reasons we like to work closely with our brides and grooms on the details of their Texas Prison Wedding.  We have our part, your Loved One has theirs and YOU have yours.

• Procrastinator:  put off till tomorrow what you should do today; definitely me

• Murphy's Law:  Anything that can go wrong will go wrong; all the time

Some things just GO together even when they shouldn't.  I've always considered myself a master procrastinator, capable of doing things well under stress.   Such as writing the vows and making the gift the night before.

Recently, someone stole the title.  With a 4 pm ceremony, a bride was on the way to the bank to pay the officiant then go get the marriage license before noon, which is when she had to leave to get to the unit by 4 pm.

Things didn't work out as she planned and now it will be rescheduled.   Thankfully this was an easy unit to work with and rescheduled without starting over.   Many do not reschedule, you have to start over.

What happen?

TPW is partly to blame.  We didn't follow our own procedure.  We allowed a bride to pay less than the retainer.  We gave the officiant's name before the retainer was paid.  We didn't stay on top of the payments she said were coming.

We have very lenient payment options and there's usually plenty of time to pay it out.   She was very fortunate to be approved and given a date in about 3 weeks.

If we hold a day for you and schedule the day off and you don't get the date or it has to be rescheduled, other officiants charge a fee.   After this month, we may have to also.

Why?

We don't want to make it about the money but the car needs gas and the officiant has to be paid.   Payment must be made before we travel.   

Earlier this month, the unit called another bride the Friday before her scheduled date for Wednesday.  Since they did not have a copy of his divorce in the file, the ceremony would have to be rescheduled.  Both the bride and I had already scheduled the day off.  My employer requires two weeks notice for a day off and unfortunately, two weeks notice if it changes.  Since this was the Friday before, I couldn't work.  

No work plus no bride equals no pay.



11/5/18  Update

After 2 reschedules, no money was ever sent so the couple never married.  We contacted the bride recently and she has been removed from out pending status until further notice from her. 


The second bride mentioned was very happy when her wedding day was finally rescheduled.



I have enjoyed my job as an insurance agent for 22 years.  However...
I love the blessings received as a TDCJ officiant much more.