Santa Barbara Court House
Mural Room
A Day to Remember Weddings
Rev. Thomas James ~ (805) 647-6808
Non-denominational Wedding Officiant
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much do you charge?
- Do you do rehearsals?
- Do you provide a P/A system?
- Do you speak Spanish?
- Can you perform a CATHOLIC wedding?
- How can I pay?
- Do you do Photography?
- Do you have a chapel or church for my wedding?
- I'm already married...can I have a ceremony?
- How do I reserve your services?
- Do you have to wear a clerical collar?
- What requirements do you have?
- Do you have small "Elopement" Package prices?
- What time do you arrive at my ceremony?
- Can you direct my ceremony?
- How do I get a Marriage License?
- Do you provide music for my ceremony?
- Can you marry someone who is in the hospital?
- Can you marry someone who is in jail?
- Regular vs. Confidential License
- How can I save money on my wedding?
- Can you officiate my funeral?
How much do you charge? I receive $300.00 for officiating a ceremony.
This includes:
Meeting with you at my home in Ventura prior to the ceremony (if desired)
Preparation of your ceremony
Preparation of contract
Driving time and mileage
Officiating your ceremony
My official capacity as minister to obtain signatures of witness on your license
Sound system for minister during ceremony (if needed) FREE
Submission of legal forms (license, etc.)to Cunty Recorder's office after the ceremony
Ceremony planning assistance in person, email, or telephone
Storing of copies of all paperwork
This quote does not include a rehearsal, but if you are having one and you would like me to attend and direct it if necessary, I charge an additional $100.00. Rehearsals are always a good idea and I highly recommend that you plan on having one a day or two prior to your ceremony. Rehearsals not only give us all the chance to coordinate together, but they give me the opportunity to complete the paperwork prior to the day of your ceremony. In addition, it gives your relatives and friends a chance to meet one another prior to your wedding day (always a good thing). One thing that you must do is to obtain a Marriage License at any California County Recorder's office. More information about obtaining your license can be obtained at any California County government office or at my web site.
Do you have a lower cost package for "elopements"? Yes! This would be a small wedding with only 4 or 5 people present, no chairs, music (if there is any) is from a CD. The difference, for me, between a large wedding or small wedding is very little. I still have time and mileage expenses, it takes about the same amount of time, and the paperwork is all the same. However, I realize that a small wedding may be because of a small budget so we try to help.
In addition to our reduced prices we are currently offering the following elopement special:
Wedding Minister and Photographer
Wedding minister performs ceremony and processes paperwork as normal
Photographer accompanies minister and takes professional photos for 90 minutes.
You receivet a CD/DVD with the edited pictures with copyright release
We will post the edited pictures to a secure web site with your own ID number.
$500.00 Total (Minister AND Photographer)
Do you do rehearsals? Yes. I can attend and even direct your rehearsal as required. Rehearsals are not a part of the original quote and are negotiated seperately but are normally $100.00. That's because many of you don't need or want me to attend the rehearsal. (Even though I am a nice guy!) However, it's always a good idea to have a rehearsal and for me to be there for a couple of reasons: a) So I know what I'm supposed to do. b) So everyone knows what they are supposed to do. c) I can complete the paperwork so we don't have THAT issue on your wedding day. d) I get the chance to meet your friends and relatives. I have found that it always is nicer if the parents and bridal party know their minister even a little bit before the ceremony. (It's also easier and nicer for me!)
Do you have your own microphone? Yes. I can provide a P.A. system for my part of your wedding ceremony. Because of the power & quality required I must use a speaker with a cord so a power outlet is required. You can even have someone plug in a CD player or other device for free.
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 do a CATHOLIC ceremony? Yes! I'm a minister not a priest but with your valid California Marriage License the ceremony that I do IS A LEGAL MARRIAGE. However, the Catholic church recognizes marriages only if they are performed by a priest. I am not a priest but I can do EVERYTHING that a priest would do during your ceremony because I am a retired ordained minister. I can also wear a Clerical Collar if desired, which looks much like a priest's collar but is commonly worn by all clergy.
Are cheaper weddings available? Yes, for those of you who want a nice but small ceremony, we offer "Elopement Packages" both for wedding minister and/or 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. Since elopement packages are customized to your needs, elopement prices are not posted on the web site. Isn't that fair?
Can you provide photography? YES...very GOOD photography. In fact, we humbly believe that you won't find any better photography at any price. Have you ever bought something at one of those "club stores" or "super centers" and seen an absolutely amazing price on something like drumsticks Have you ever gotten really excited about that price, only to find out you'd have to buy the equivalent of six month's supply of chicken drumsticks to get that amazing price? This happens in photography all the time. People buy an amazing price only to find that they have to spend "beau-coupe" dollars afterwards in order to see them or to get prints. A Day 2 Remember Photography doesn't work that way. We have several packages to meet your needs and we will customize a package if one of ours doesn't fit. You know exactly what you get up front and we put it in writing! Please contact us and give us a chance to earn your wedding photography. (Heck...we'll even throw in the minister for free on some packages!) See samples at www.AD2RP.COM.
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. You can even write the whole thing! If you write your own ceremony, I'll have to read it so using what I'm used to using for the main part of it is much nicer.
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.
I'm already married. Can you do a marriage ceremony? Yes, this happens more often than you might think. In order to perform a marriage ceremony you will need to show me your original marriage license or some proof that you are legally married. You should have a Certified Copy of you marriage license that you can show me. If you don't have this copy you can order one from the county where your license is recorded. After that the ceremony can be performed any way you wish.
How do I reserve your services? First, fill out the contact form on the contact 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 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 a dark suit.
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 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 wedding music? Yes, I can whistle the wedding march for free! (Just kidding.) 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. These are getting as rare as "hens teeth". (Note: Hens don't have teeth!) The only chapel that I am aware of for indoor use these days is the chapel at Heritage Square in Oxnard. It can seat over 100 people, is reasonably priced, has good parking, and even offers lots of beautiful locations for wedding pictures. We really like it and we think you will too! (No, I don't work for them and get no promotional fees - I just like the chapel.) You can link to their web site at www.heritagesquareoxnard.com. [After you do...please come back.]
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.
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.
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
