1. Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Authority

1.1 All weddings and religious rites are performed under the authority of the Office of the Matrimony Magistrate, a division of the Esoteric Interfaith Fellowship.

1.2 Our officiants, judges, ministers, and vicars act solely under ecclesiastical jurisdiction and authority, not as employees or representatives of any civil or governmental body.

1.3 Our officiants are duly authorized under Texas Family Code § 2.202 to solemnize marriages legally recognized by the State of Texas.

1.4 While ceremonies are religious rites performed under ecclesiastical authority, they are conducted in compliance with applicable civil law governing marriage solemnization.

2. Information We Collect and How We Use It

We collect only the information reasonably necessary to schedule, coordinate, and perform your ceremony.

Information collected may include:

Contact Information

Name
Email address
Phone number
Mailing address (if provided)

Ceremony Details

Ceremony date and time
Location of ceremony
Package or service selections

Payment Information

Payments are processed securely through Stripe
We do not store or retain cardholder data

Photos & Media

With consent, photos or video captured during ceremonies may be used for nonprofit promotional or educational purposes.

We do not sell, rent, or distribute personal information to third parties.

3. Clergy–Communicant Privilege

3.1 Confidential communications with clergy are protected under Texas Rules of Evidence Rule 505.

3.2 The communicant (client) may assert or prevent disclosure of privileged communications.

3.3 Clergy may also assert this privilege on behalf of the communicant.

4. Data Retention and Protection

Personal information collected for scheduling or communication purposes is retained only for the time necessary to coordinate the ceremony and complete administrative tasks.

General practices include:

Personal records retained no longer than 60 days after the ceremony
Marriage licenses and government-issued identification documents are not stored
All financial transactions are processed through Stripe’s PCI-compliant payment system

We take reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect personal information.

5. Photos and Media Use

With client consent, photos or video captured during ceremonies may be used to promote our nonprofit and religious mission through:

Official websites
Social media pages
Printed or digital materials
Online advertising or nonprofit outreach

Clients may opt out of media use by submitting a written request prior to the ceremony date.

Courtesy photos taken by staff are provided as a convenience and are not guaranteed professional photography services.

6. Bookings, Payments, Scheduling, and Ceremony Conduct

6.1 Booking Platform

All bookings are made through our online scheduling system, TidyCal.

6.2 Payment

Payment in full is required at the time of booking and processed securely through Stripe.

6.3 Cancellations

Cancellations within 72 hours of booking may receive a refund minus payment processing fees.
Cancellations made after 72 hours are non-refundable.

6.4 Rescheduling

Rescheduling may be permitted prior to the ceremony date, subject to availability.

6.5 Arrival and Ceremony Procedures

Ceremonies are scheduled on fixed time intervals and may occur every 30 minutes.

Clients and guests agree to:

Arrive at the scheduled time
Follow all arrival and entry instructions
Wait to be escorted into the ceremony space when instructed
Avoid interrupting ceremonies in progress

Entering the ceremony space during another couple’s ceremony, disregarding arrival procedures, or disrupting scheduled ceremonies may result in:

Delay of the ceremony
Rescheduling
Cancellation of the ceremony without refund

6.6 Acceptance of Terms

Scheduling a ceremony constitutes acceptance of these policies and procedures.

7. Public Statements and Dispute Resolution

7.1 Clients agree to address concerns directly with our organization before making public statements regarding services.

7.2 Clients agree not to publish knowingly false or misleading statements regarding our services, policies, or clergy.

7.3 Concerns related to services, policies, or scheduling should be submitted directly through our official contact channels to allow reasonable opportunity for review and resolution.

Relevant legal framework includes:

Texas Defamation Mitigation Act
Texas Citizens Participation Act

We reserve the right to pursue appropriate remedies in cases of malicious or defamatory conduct.

8. Legal and Religious Protections

Our ministry and clergy operate under protections provided by applicable federal and Texas law, including but not limited to:

First Amendment, U.S. Constitution – Religious liberty protections
Texas Family Code § 2.202 – Authority to solemnize marriages
RLUIPA (Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act)
Texas Rules of Evidence Rule 505 – Clergy–Communicant privilege
Texas Charitable Immunity and Liability Act (Chapter 84) – Liability protections for nonprofit organizations and clergy acting in good faith

9. Amendments

We reserve the right to update or modify this policy at any time.

The most current version will always be posted on our official website. Continued use of our websites or services constitutes acceptance of the most recent version.

Acknowledgment

By using our websites, scheduling a ceremony, or receiving services through Dallas Wedding Officiants or The Courthouse Wedding Chapel, you acknowledge that:

Our services are religious in nature
Ceremonies are conducted under ecclesiastical authority
You have reviewed and agree to these Privacy Policy and Terms of Service