Pastor John's Personalized Weddings

My basic pricing structure for weddings is $300 for the ceremony. This cost covers all communication, ceremony preparation, my presence at the wedding service and transportation costs. If the couple wishes to have a rehearsal a day or two prior to the ceremony I charge $150.

Relationships generally begin electronically on Thumbtack. I explore with all clients what it is that they want in their ceremony by sending them a standardized set of forms. We may talk by telephone if one of us feels the need to do so. Over time I provide whatever helps the bride and groom may need/request -- readings, vows, benedictions, rituals, etc. If requested I meet with the bride and groom for coffee and a discussion of their desires (in the area this is easily accomplished/outside of the area I generally attempt to tie this to another wedding so that the travel is not so extensive). As the date of the wedding approaches I generally check in to make sure that they have everything they need (it is amazing how many forget that they need a license!). I try to arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes early for weddings in order to make sure there are no last minute changes or to accommodate last minute changes if there are any, and to chat with both the bride and groom to put them at ease..

Anyone who says there is no continuing education involved in this profession doesn't know much about the profession. Continuing education is a constant -- I "book study" with a colleague and attend a minimum of 3 education classes a year, in addition to the self study that I do. I also study wedding services and research vows, committals, rituals and other things online in order to provide the most appropriate and up to date materials and services that I can for brides and grooms..

I began doing this work as a result of being ordained. I decided to work extensively doing weddings through Thumbtack because I enjoy weddings and the couples involved.

I have worked with customers from around the world -- Germany, The Philipines, India, England, South Korea, Ukraine, Columbia, and more -- as well as from many states within this country. Some have been very specific concerning what they want in their wedding ceremony and others have given me carte blanche to develop something for them. Many have wanted rituals of one sort or another, which I always accommodate. One of the fabulous things about being an officiant is the wide variety of people that one gets to meet and interact with.

Although an officiant does not generally have "projects" in the usual sense of the word, I did have the opportunity to engage in a long term wedding renewal relationship in the recent past. A couple engaged me to do their wedding renewal service and then asked if I could do a wedding renewal service for them every month, leading from their 24th to their 25th wedding anniversary. I agreed to do so. We met at 12 different locations in the Bay Area (Pacifica Pier, Japanese Garden in San Jose, SAP Center, etc.) to do a vow renewal. Every month I wrote a different service, with different prayers, readings, vows, etc. as they expressed their continued love and their re-commitment to one another. This was a unique experience for an officiant. One which I will probably never be asked to repeat.

Find someone that you are comfortable with; talk with the officiant by telephone (or arrange a meeting in person if you are not more than 20 miles away). Remember that we are not charging you very much to do your wedding and if we have to drive to see you three times, and it is a 100 mile round trip, we are practically working for nothing.

For me, the only things someone needs to think through before engaging my services is do they want me at the rehearsal (and what is the date and time) and when do they want the wedding and at what time. Everything else can be worked out after we begin working together. The reason dates and times are so important is that they are a major basis upon which to respond to a posting. I don't like to unintentionally double book myself and create a problem by doing so.