About

A Day to Remember Weddings

Wedding Minister and Photographic Services

About Rev. Thomas James

                 I am an ordained Christian minister
                       I have been officiating weddings for over 15 years (approx. 2000 weddings)
                          I graduated from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena
                             I am a previous full-time pastor
                                I am a Presbyterian Christian
                                  I have been married 35 years and have three grown children
                                    I have three small dogs!
                                      I love being a wedding minister & I think it shows.

I was recently asked these excellent questions:

1. Where do you typically meet your clients?
I normally meet couples at my home here in Ventura. I've found that most convenient for everyone and I have found it easier to talk than at a noisy restaurant or coffee-shop. I can have a cup of coffee or tea waiting for you if you'd like. I prefer to meet with both of you at the same time. It also helps if you look at the sample ceremonies on my web site. I am not "stuck" to those but it gives us a framework from which to start planning yours.

2. Do we fill out a questionnaire?
I don't have a form to fill out as an officiant (though we do that for photography). I do talk with you about your ceremony wishes when we meet and I take notes.  After we talk I will have you fill out a short contract that briefly summarizes what we have agreed upon. I don't have to know everything about what you are doing at your ceremony to officiate it. A lot of that planning is the responsibility of the wedding coordinator for the day -- whoever that may be.

3. Can you describe to me your personality and what marriage means to you?
Describing my personality is probably the hardest question. I would like to describe myself as honest, straight-spoken, religious, and devoted both to my family and my calling. I strive to emulate the example as set forth by Jesus Christ. Some of my not so divine heroes include Dwight Eisenhower, a man from our church, and my father. I hope that answers your question because I'm not sure I know how to answer it better.

4. What does marriage mean to me?
Of course, the easiest way to answer this is to ask you to review the text of my message in my sample wedding ceremonies. I believe what I say in them. I believe that a marriage is the union of two souls held together by the love that they share. I also believe that marriage is being with your best friend for the rest of your life. I believe that this love and friendship shine above everything else in life: Wherever we go and whatever we do we know that we are not alone. We are a team facing life together.

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Code of Values

1. We believe in superior service to our customers, to our community, and to each other.

2. We believe that if we count our blessings every day we will keep the negatives away. We look forward to where are going more than back where we have been.

3. We believe that success is the result of clear, cooperative, positive thinking; believing in God; following the examples set forth in life by Jesus Christ along with other not-so-divine heroes; learning from others who have gone before us and excelled in what we are doing.

4. We believe that honesty is the best policy. We will not lie, cheat, steal, mislead, or in any other way deceive our clients, business associates, or anyone with whom we associate.

5. We believe that in order to build our business we must re-earn our positions every day by excelling in every way.

6. We believe that problems should be welcomed tranquilly and should be used as learning experiences.

7. We believe that among other things our Creator put us on this Earth to enjoy His creation. We will keep faith with His wishes by being honest and accepting our daily tasks humbly, knowing that a higher power has led us here.

8. We believe in the value of every person. Helping each person achieve their potential and their goals puts us closer to achieving ours.

9. We believe that loyalty adds consistency to our lives.

10. We trust in God to lead us towards fulfilling these goals and to success in our efforts.

It has been wonderful planning [our ceremony] with you and you have been so patient and accommodating for us throughout the ceremony planning. We will never forget your kindness and we are sure to treasure forever in our hearts the ceremony itself and the special meaning it holds for our future together. It is our sincerest desire to live married happily ever after and this we will do with pride and joy and with God's blessing through you. -- Sincerely, Mary & Ken