Wedding Ministers Monterey is dedicated to providing a truly magical, emotional, and romantic ceremony to reflect your own personal dreams and special relationship. We are passionate about providing the utmost in personal attention and unsurpassed professional service.

Theme Weddings

Here's a few favorites for a theme wedding:
Medieval/Renaissance; Victorian; 1920's
Halloween; Autumn; Patriotic
Scottish; Western; Disney
Cinderella; Fairy Tale; Outdoor/Nature
Beach; Under-the-Sea

Wedding News Email Updates

Want to stay up to date with the latest wedding news? Sign up to receive free email updates of wedding tips. reverend_sharon@yahoo.com

Wedding Locations

The Monterey Peninsula is known the world over for its spectacular scenery. It is a magically romantic place to be married. Carmel Beach in Carmel-by-the-Sea, and both Lovers Point and Berwick Park in Pacific Grove are traditional favorites for outdoor weddings. Please contact the Pacific Grove Recreation Department at (831) 648-5730 (see links below). Hodges Rent All reserves chairs and wedding arches (831) 372-7381. The Unitarian Universalists and Quaker Friends rent their churches to non-members for indoor ceremonies. Their links are http://www.uua.org and http://www.quakerfinder.com/ It is also popular to hold the wedding ceremony at the same location as the reception.

Helpful Hint

Here is a wedding ceremony planning tip that will help create more ease and elegance around the start of your wedding ceremony.
If your wedding ceremony is to start at 6:00 p.m., put 5:30 pm. on your invitations.
If your wedding ceremony is to start at 3:00 p.m., put 2:30 p.m. on your invitations.
By creating a 30-minute buffer around the start time of your ceremony, you are immediately doing a couple of things:
- Since many people aren't personally familiar with wedding venues, they often show up right at the start time of a ceremony or a little late. This creates stress all the way around.
- People arrive and are greeted in a more relaxed manner - rather than rushing in and finding a seat.
- A bride and groom immediately create a more welcoming and relaxed environment. Plus, when you start "on time," this also protects the integrity of your food which in most cases you have spent good money on.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the secret to wedding planning?
Choose a picture perfect setting. Share a custom ceremony and vows which reflect your love for each other. Select a professional, friendly wedding officiant who takes great pride in conducting the perfect wedding ceremony.


What is the fee?
We have a variety of wedding packages depending on your needs. Fees: $250-$500. Fees are refundable up to 90 days prior to the wedding of which $100.00 is non-refundable.

How long does the ceremony take?
Depending on the ceremony--5 to 30 minutes. Typically, we tell couples to budget 30 minutes. The entrance, the ceremony, signing, recessional, etc. For us the key is the start time as our officiants usually are heading off to another wedding.

Can we write our own vows?
Of course you can.

Can our children and our pets participate in the ceremony?
Of course.

Is a gratuity expected?
No, but you may feel you would like to express your gratitude for an excellent ceremony in this way. Some couples send a thank you card with a picture. The best of all is to refer a friend. Some couples do all of the above.

How do we book the wedding officiant to perform the ceremony?Contact our office. We assist couples in writing their own ceremonies, or guide them through our inventory of pre-written selections that can be combined and incorporated into a personalized ceremony. Readings, poems or prayers can be read by our ministers, by the couple or by their guests. reverend_sharon@yahoo.com

How long before the wedding ceremony should we book the wedding officiant?
Some months are busier than others. We suggest you should book just as soon as you have your reception venue reserved. Please contact us to check our availability any time.

Do we have to have a rehearsal?
Rehearsals are optional. Rehearsals acclimate the wedding party to their surroundings. Couples often save the additional cost by conducting their own rehearsal or by relying on the consultant at their wedding ceremony location. Afterall, the minister already knows her/his part.

When and where do we get a license in CA?
Contact the County Clerk’s Office. To obtain a marriage license in Monterey County, California, if both parties are at least 18 years of age, both the prospective bride and groom must appear together at the County Clerk’s Office: Monterey County Clerk, County Government Administration Building,168 West Alisal Street, 1st Floor, Salinas, CA 93901
Salinas Office: (831) 755- 5450
Monterey Peninsula Residents may dial: (831) 647-7850
A blood test is not required.
Both parties to the license must appear together, in person, with proof of age and identification. A valid state driver’s license, state identification, or passport is acceptable alone; however, a temporary driver’s license, military ID, immigration card, school ID, or employment ID is acceptable only along with a certified copy of the birth certificate.
The fee for a regular marriage license is $75.00 (fee subject to change).
In Monterey County, CA, if you wish to speak with a Marriage Section staff member, dial (831) 755-5450. If you wish to listen to a Marriage License information recording, dial (831) 755-5032

How long must we wait after we get a license to get married?
One can now get a license and be married the same day. There is no waiting period in California.

What about if one or both of us were previously divorced?
If either party has been granted a divorce within 90 days of applying for a new marriage license, a certified copy of the final divorce must be presented at the time of issuance. A divorce judgment is not final until the date the marital status terminates. A marriage license cannot be issued if your divorce is not final. The date of the final judgment must be prior to the date a new license is issued.


WEDDING OFFICIANTS/CLERICS/CELEBRANTS ONLY

We are proud to always seek Ministers with the highest level credentials and experience. If you are interested in becoming a part of Wedding Ministers Monterey, please send us an e-mail including your credentials and experience.

Services Available

Our greatest desire is to perform your wedding, vow renewal, commitment ceremony, precious pet ceremony, and spiritual coaching in the Monterey Peninsula, CA area. We will work with you to develop a service tailored to your wishes. We are very proud to have a 100% satisfaction success rate. We want you to have a truly magical, emotional, and romantic ceremony to reflect your own personal dreams and special relationship. Non-denominational, inter-faith, spiritual, new age, unions, and civil ceremonies. Destination weddings available.

Contact: Reverend Sharon Distance at 831.917.1468
e-mail reverend_sharon@yahoo.com