The most common question is, "How much do you charge?" We strive to charge a fair and competitive price.   A lot depends on your situation.  In order to give an accurate price for your ceremony I need to know what will be required. Please fill out the contact form and tell me about yourself.

Do you take pictures? Yes, very good ones!  
(Well, I don't...but our photographer does.) 
Check out our photo pages.

      Ask about photography and minister packages!  

Save money if you use BOTH our minister & photographer.
           
We honestly believe that you won't find a better package than this at any price.  Click here to check out our pictures.

Are cheaper weddings available?  Yes, "Elopement Packages" both for wedding minister and photography services to keep your costs to a minimum (if your wedding is only including 3 or 4 people and is in a home, on a beach, etc).  When you fill out the "Contact Form" let us know your situation. 

Can I customize my ceremony?  Yes.  We'll put your ceremony together the way you would like it.  I have a couple of sample ceremonies available to help get you started.

What requirements do you have?
None! I have no requirements other than that you have a valid marriage license and that you love one another.  Note: I can't help you find love, but I can help with the license.  See notes below.
                 
How do I reserve your services?  First, fill out the contact form on the information page. Next, we will make a date to meet one another.  I have found it best to meet at my home in Ventura and can usually work around your schedule.  Let me know if mornings, afternoons or evenings are best for you.  Sometimes a long-distance phone call is best ifyou live out of the area.  You can reserve the date and beginning time for your ceremony by placing a deposit, $100.00 of which is non-refundable.  The rest of the balance is due prior to your ceremony.

How can I pay?  Cash, check or money order is good.  You can also pay by credit card if that is more convenient for you by clicking on the button on our Contact Us page.

Must you wear your clerical collar during the ceremony?  No, the choice is yours.  In fact, during a non-religious ceremony I normally wear a white shirt, black tie and my tux. 

What time will you arrive?
I will arrive at the ceremony at least one-half hour early to speak with the bridal party, disc-jockey, performers, etc. I will ask for the marriage license, which is your responsibility to obtain at the County Clerk’s Office. Download the application by clicking here: Marriage License Application

Do you do rehearsals?
Yes. I can direct your rehearsal.  The rehearsal is normally included in the original quote that I give to you unless specified that it is not. 

Do you direct the ceremony?
Yes, in as much a the minister can help direct the ceremony. However, we do offer a Day-of-Ceremony Wedding Director at a very reasonable cost, which is a tremendous help on that busy day and takes a great deal of pressure and stress off your shoulders.

Do you have your own microphone?
Yes. I can provide a microphone for FREE. However, I do have to charge for additional services such as an amplifier and loud speaker (PA System), a CD of wedding music if you need one, and a skilled sound engineer; because all of these are professional quality and take time to set up and to make sure they are working properly for your ceremony.

Add Public Address (PA) System: $250.00

Do you have wedding music?
Yes. If you need wedding music, we can provide a CD player and equipment to play the wedding music with the P.A. system above.  I usually provide traditional music along with background music before the ceremony.  However, if you have a song that you would like to be played and can provide me with a DVD we will be happy to use it.

Do you have a chapel or wedding location?  No.  If you are looking for a chapel I may be able to suggest a wedding chapel in your area.  Usually I meet you at a park, beach, or even your home.  Unfortunately, the telephone company in our area does not have a Yellow Pages category for "Wedding Ministers" and only offer me the opportunity to list in a combined category.  So, if you are looking for a wedding chapel and first located me by the telephone directory I apologize for any confusion.

Can you do a Spanish language ceremony?  No, we do not offer a Spanish Language ceremony. We only perform our ceremonies in English. However, we have found that unless ALL of your guests speak the same foreign language, someone will not know what is happening. So, we suggest that you have one of your wedding party such as your father, brother, or sister, repeat sections of the wedding ceremony. For example: We could do the wedding vows first in English and then again in Spanish. We have done this in French, Russian, Chinese, and other languages including Spanish and found it very effective.

Can you give me information about obtaining the marriage license?  Yes. The marriage license is a legal permit to get married issued by any County office.  You are not married until a marriage ceremony is performed and this form is filled out by the officiant and recorded by the County where it was purchased. It is your responsibility to obtain a valid marriage license at a County Recorder's Office of your choice in California. Policies and pricing vary by county so I am providing the links below to the appropriate sites.

1.  Fill out an application.
2.  Make an appointment with the County Recorder's Office.
3.  Both go together to County Recorder's Office.
4.  Sign License
5.  You DO NOT need to see a Justice of the Peace or Judge at that time -- that is my job.  I will fill out that part of the license at your ceremony.
 

Both of you need to go together and you will need to show the clerk a driver's license for identification.  There may be other requirements depending on your situation.  I suggest that you download the Marriage License Application (below) and print it so that you can fill it out before you go to get your license.  I also suggest that you call the County Recorder's office and make an appointment to get your license.  This can dramatically lower your waiting time.  The number to call (in Ventura) for an appointment is: (805) 654-2263.   

NEW:  In VENTURA COUNTY, on-line Marriage Applications are now available.  When you have COMPLETED your on-line application and received your confirmation number, in order to obtain your marriage license, both parties still have to go to the County Government Center in Ventura at:
The Office of the County Clerk and Recorders Office
Hall of Administration, Main Plaza
800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventua, CA  93009-1210

Marriage Licenses may be obtained from 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday - Friday.  APPOINTMENTS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.  CAll (805) 654-2263 to schedule an appointment.

Please Note:  Your Internet On-Line Application will only be kept on file for 10 business days from the date submitted to the Clerk and Recorder's office.

Click here for an on-line marriage license application.
Marriage License Application (.pdf) to download, print and take to County Recorder
Ventura County License Application Form
Ventura County Recorder's Office Questions

Some popular sites:
Some of these sites are reciprocal meaning they have me on their web site and I have them on mine.

Casa Sirena Hotel
Heritage Square Wedding Chapel
Grant Park Conservancy
Moorpark Country Club
Wedgewood Banquet Center

Where can I get additional information about my wedding?
Model Bride
Wedding Sites
WedAlert.com
MySantaBarbaraWedding.com
sbwinecountryevents.com

Other Services

Do you perform services for scattering of ashes at sea? Yes. You will need to make arrangements for a boat or airplane to take us three miles off shore because the law says that we cannot scatter ashes within three miles of the shoreline. This also means that I cannot officiate scattering of ashes in parks or other similar locations.

Do you perform funeral services?  Yes.  I officiate at funeral services and memorial services.

Do you perform Jail Weddings?  No.  Unfortunately, I can no longer offer Jail Weddings.  They made it too difficult for me to witness the inmate's signature.  I know...if he or she is in jail and they have identified him, it seems like excellent identification.  However, the County Recorder's Office is making me take an oath that I have actually WITNESSED the inmate signing the form and no jail facility in Ventura County has been willing so far to let me witness them doing that.  I regret that this valuable family service is no longer available. 

Do you perform Hospital or Invalid Patients Weddings?  Yes. The only license available is a Confidential License that I must obtain for you. For an explanation of the difference between a regular and confidential license, see below.  I must comply with all applicable laws to obtain this license for you. (See "Legal Stuff" at bottom of page.)

Getting a License to Marry if Bride or Groom cannot travel to the County Recorder's Office: (Hospital, Illness, etc.) Normally, the County Recorder's Office requires both the bride AND groom to appear before them at the same time in order to obtain a license to marry.  However, if one of them cannot appear for any reason, it is possible for me and the one who is able to appear to obtain a confidential marriage license.  Here is how that is done.  However, if any of these steps is not possible for whatever reason, I cannot obtain a marriage license. 

A. Step One:
You must complete an "Affidavit of Inability to Appear". This is a form that explains to the County Recorder's Office that one of the marriage partners (husband or wife) will not be able to come to the County Recorder's Office to apply for the Marriage License. This form is both statement of why they cannot appear and an application for the confidential license.
     1. You come to my home where I will supply you with a blank application form (technically this form is called an "Affidavit of Inability to Appear"). I will explain the instructions on how to fill it out. Briefly: All blanks must be filled in completely. (Note: According to the County Recorder's Office, they will normally refuse to give this form to anyone but ministers although this rule is not always followed.)
     2. You will then fill in all the information on the form. NO BLANK SPACES.
     3. I must witness both signatures being signed.
     4. I must positively identify both of you; so I MUST have a driver's license or government issued ID card for both of you with signatures and pictures on them (they do not need to be current to be acceptable).     
      5. I will collect all County applicable fees before I go. (Currently $116.00). I will also collect my charges at this time.

B. Step Two:
We will take the completed Affidavit of Inability to Appear (application) to the Ventura County Recorder's Office in Ventura and obtain the marriage license.  The license fee is currently $116.00.)  We need to go there together (at the same time).

C. Step Three:
We will then go to the location and perform the marriage ceremony. In a jail, the ceremony can only be done in the visitors' area during regular visiting hours. As always, we will cooperate with hospital or jail personnel in every way.


* Here's the legal stuff pertaining to weddings with people who are bedridden or otherwise unable to appear. 

If, for any reason, either or both of the parties to be married is physically unable to appear in person before the county clerk, a confidential marriage license shall be issued by the county clerk to the person solemnizing the marriage upon that person's presenting an affidavit to the county clerk, signed by the person and the parties to be married, explaining the reason for the inability to appear. Div. 3, Part 4, Chap. 1, §502.

**What is the difference between a regular and confidential license? A regular license is public record and a confidential one is not -- it is confidential. Upon the request of any person and payment of the search fee, the County Clerk may conduct a search for a confidential marriage certificate for the purpose of confirming the existence of a marriage; however, the date of the marriage and any other information contained in the certificate shall not be disclosed except upon order of the Court. Government agencies also receive information to confirm the existence of marriages.

If there are other questions, please either call or send an e-mail.
          Home: 805-647-6808
          Cell: 805-205-3900
          E-mail: thomj_pamj@yahoo.com
          Rev. Thomas James
          A Day to Remember Weddings