WILDWOOD CREST – The cost of getting married in the Borough of Wildwood Crest will not cost as much as soon as a new ordinance takes effect.
On Sept. 20, the Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 to introduce Ordinance 1409, which will remove a $250 compensation fee for the mayor or deputy mayor for performing a wedding or civil union ceremony. At a previous commissioners meeting, Mayor Don Cabrera and Deputy Mayor Joe Franco each said they were not interested in being compensated for performing weddings.
“I do not want to be paid for an extra duty I think comes with the job,” Cabrera said. “I think it comes with being mayor. It’s an honor.”
The fee for the mayor or deputy mayor was added based on similar fees charged in other municipalities, saying weddings require a significant amount of time of the mayor or deputy mayor could incur, who might also incur significant expenses related to travel or other ancillary consideration. The ordinance change says the mayor and deputy mayor are aware of the expense and “wish to waive the officiant fee.”
The borough had charged a $300 administrative fee, which is being reduced to $50, of which $25 is nonrefundable. With the ordinance change, the mayor or deputy mayor will not be compensated “zero dollars.”
Cabrera said he would still accept a slice of wedding cake.
