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One of the Most Requested Wedding Officiants in So. CA IEWeddingGuy.com

Award Winning Service

Thumbtack Nationwide Wedding Officiant Referral Awards

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About Myself

A Few Words About Myself

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I am ordained Minister in the State of CA, performing both religious & non-religious ceremonies.

I have been a non-denominational Minister for the past 25 years. Currently, I am an itinerant public speaker in seminars and conferences, as well as an author. I have worked and lived in inner city, as well as limited overseas missions.

Whether you would like high formal or fun and light-hearted, three-piece suit, Hawaiian shirt, jeans and cowboy boots,  or somewhere in between, fitting into your special plans is what I do. In performing hundreds of weddings as well as extensive experience in public speaking, the crowds and pressure of the event do not adversely affect me, so that I can be an anchor-point for you and see that the ceremony goes according to plan.

The ceremony itself is the most important part of the wedding, so invoking a  heartfelt connection with sincerity and authenticity (with maybe some humor), is the most important aspect of what I do as a Wedding Minister.

My Wedding Philosophy

Why Who You Hire Is More Important Than Anything Else

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 So what does, "Keeping the focus on what's important on your Wedding Day", really mean? 


It's  crazy how weddings can take on a life of their own.  At the outset, you  have in mind exactly how you want it, and roughly how much of a budget  that you have to spend on it.  But then... you start researching venues, wedding planners, photographers, DJ's, caterers, florists, cake  designers, wedding dresses, veils, bride's maids' dresses, hair/makeup stylists, the honeymoon, etc., etc.  Add to that, all of the input from  your parents, future in-laws, siblings, extended family, friends... everyone has an opinion regarding how your wedding should be, and if  you're not careful, it will morph into this complicated, brutally expensive and stressful dread that you just can't wait to be over. We Wedding Officiants, are more often than not, the last on the list to be hired. But it is the Wedding Officiant that can truly make or break your special day, regardless of all of the other "bells and whistles" of the event.


My most important job, as the Wedding Officiant, is to refocus the couple back onto the one truly wonderful thing that may have unwittingly birthed all of the stress and madness... THE COUPLE'S LOVE FOR EACH OTHER.    


Weddings  can easily become about pleasing everyone else.  Often there is nervousness, anxiety, and tension that the "show" comes off without a hitch, especially for couples who already hate to be the center-of-attention. Too easily, the focus can be on the guests.  I often remind couples that the wedding is about THEMSELVES, and their love for each other. The most important thing for the wedding couple, is to be present-in-the moment, connect with EACH OTHER, enjoy themselves and to have FUN!  Before you know it, all of the months of planning and thousands of dollars spent will be done in a moment. And if you do not catch yourself, you will have just thrown a very elaborate and expensive party for your friends and family, while you were too  busy to enjoy it (my wife actually didn't even get to eat our wedding reception meal).    


As your Officiant, I will help you to savor the fleeting moment, take time to breathe, and help you to make a memory that you will long be able to remember.  It is MY job to make  sure that the "show" goes according to plan, and if it doesn't, to make it humorous and relaxed enough that you're glad that it didn't go according to plan, because that made it more memorable!  So let me help you take one more worry off of your plate... most couples tell me that the ceremony was the easiest part of their entire wedding. And that is why who you hire for key elements of your wedding, is more important than anything else.

Testimonial... Caitlin S.

"... incredibly charismatic & professional. I felt like we knew him for YEARS!"

 "Now that the craziness of the wedding as settled down, I just wanted to THANK YOU sooo much for the most  beautiful wedding ceremony! Thank you for everything! My family  absolutely loved you and you made our ceremony seamless! Having you there calmed my nerves completely and I was able to focus on my husband which is exactly what I wanted. I loved the way you explained the  reading we chose as well. It made the ceremony so much more personal and intimate! Everyone is still raving about how great the wedding was and I know that YOU were a major reason for it being so wonderful. Hope all is well and THANKS AGAIN!"    


Finding  the right officiant for our wedding was the most daunting task I faced  while planning our wedding! I really didn't want just any Joe Schmo  marrying us and I spent months trying to find someone who my husband and I clicked with. Everyone we spoke to immediately rubbed us the wrong  way. They didn't make an effort to get to know my husband and I and  seemed to only care about payment. When I came across Jonathan on Thumbtack I decided to reach out to him and I am SO glad I did. From  our first conversation to our last Jonathan was engaging, personal and  kind. He listened to our needs and helped us construct the perfect ceremony for US. He encouraged us to write our own vows which obviously made our ceremony so much more meaningful and intimate. Come the day of the wedding, Jonathan conducted the ceremony seamlessly. He made both my husband and I so comfortable and all my wedding day nerves vanished. He was incredibly charismatic and professional. I felt like we knew him for YEARS! Thank you Jonathan for helping make our special day ever MORE special!  

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Testimonial... Christina B.

"You truly made it our dream, not just about your services."

"I want to thank you from the bottom of my  heart, your services on our special day were amazing and so professional! From the start I know we didn't give much time for booking  a week in advance to our wedding date, u seemed to have it all together, as nervous as a bride can be and quickly my decisions had to be I know I made the right one by choosing you. You were very thorough, making sure every point was met, names pronounced right, vows recited and chosen, but most of all your delivery made my day even more special. Being on a beach location asking you, that you may get wet and feet in the water u had no hesitation. You truly made it our dream, not just about your services. I recommend you by far to everyone reading this, Jonathan conveyed the unity of my marriage with such sincerity and made me feel so relaxed when approaching my future husband to take a moment to breathe and take it all in before services started. By far this is what I needed and focused on what was about to happen. Thank u so so much Jonathan!!!"

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100's of Weddings... Never Less Than a 5-Star Review

June C. - Nov. 8 - 5 Stars

 Jonathan married us on November 8, and he was the best minister we could've ever asked for. His words touched our souls, not only was he a minister but he helped out by any means needed, very helpful with the steps needed after marriage. Was like part of the family. Huge plus, my husband's family traveled from France and he spoke words in French that really moved us all. Thank you so much, HIGHLY  RECOMMENDED, everyone needs to have him at their special day. Truly amazing person, a moment in our lives we will never forget.

Amy M. - Dec. 4 - 5 Stars

 This review is long overdue but my husband and I hired Jonathan for our  wedding on December 4. From my first phone call with Jonathan I immediately felt like he was going to be the perfect person to preform our ceremony. We had one initial Skype meeting which confirmed my feeling about hiring him. From the rehearsal to the wedding he managed to make sure we were completely comfortable. We had written a ceremony which he used perfectly and still added in some things that made it even more special that day after hearing our vows. I am so glad I found him and would recommend him to everyone. 

Jenny M. - March 20 - 5 Stars

My husband and I are so pleased with Pastor Jonathan who officiated our  wedding on March 20, at the Grand Tradition Estate in Fallbrook, CA. He is so thorough at explaining everything and guides you through the whole process smoothly. We mostly spoke over the phone and met him in person the day of our wedding. He went over everything with our  bridal party thirty minutes prior to our ceremony and was very professional but knew how to throw in a joke or two when it was  appropriate. We loved our ceremony and it was absolutely perfect thanks to him.  

David B. - Nov. 25 - 5 Stars

Pastor Jonathan is a perfect officiant.  He confidently understands the  process and procedures of the ceremony and really put my wife and I at ease with how the ceremony would be conducted. The venue staff also  commented on how great the Officiant was. A great testament. I would  HIGHLY recommend Pastor Jonathan for officiant services. 

Barbara K. - April 2 - 5 Stars

Pastor Jonathan did an amazing job. His  delivery and sincere approach to the ceremony was superb. No only did he  combine aspects of both Christian and Jewish services he went so far as to chant in Hebrew which was very impressive and meant a lot to us. All of our guests commented on the beautiful job he did. 

Stephanie Y. - Sept. 21 - 5 Stars

Pastor Jonathan was outstanding! He was professional and funny. He really completed our special day. So happy we chose him to be the person  to marry us. His blessing over us at the end of our ceremony was beautiful. If you're considering him to be your officiant, please do  yourself a favor and hire him. Couldn't be happier! 

Video

Cody & Stephanie's Wedding

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