It takes planning, preparation, coordination, and experience. Pastor Edward Black has served the wedding community for over 15 years as both a Wedding officiate and as a professional Videographer. His friendly, warm, welcoming and often humorous style will immediately put you and your guests’ right at ease! He will work with you to create a unique ceremony, vows, exchanges and a final blessing on you and your marriage! Often said with a smile, Pastor Ed will often tell you that he has not “lost a couple yet!” Together we will go over a questionnaire and a variety of choices of different elements of the ceremony, and gracefully move you from start to finish.
There are many options open to you in planning your sacred celebration. Having served the wedding community for over fifteen years, his experience will help guide you through the planning process of your wedding celebration… so critical to making your special day a celebration to remember! Together we will answer questions such as, “Will it take place in a church, or at home, in a garden, or a hotel suite? Will the wedding ceremony be traditional or contemporary, non-denominational, formal, casual or even “spontaneous.” These questions and multiple details will be joyfully worked through as you plan one of the most important days of your lives!
- Initial meeting, deposit due, couple given questionnaire to fill out…
- Planning meeting (by phone or in person) and review Ceremony questionnaire…
- Vows and ceremony emailed two (2) weeks prior to wedding for review…
- Rehearsal, final payment is due…
- Arrive one hour prior to ceremony, and officiate the wedding!
Reverend Edward Black clearly takes great joy in performing weddings. When we met Pastor Ed, we connected immediately with his genuine kindness and sincerity. He created a meaningful ceremony for us that was thoughtfully expressed. We are very delighted with his service and the beautiful memories we have of our ceremony.
"Pastor Ed made our ceremony fun, personable, and meaningful. Getting to know Ed has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. His friendship and guidance has been invaluable to me. Thanks for everything Ed."
Remnant Studios
(888) 463-4920 x701
I am happy to meet with couples, first by phone, then in person at no cost or obligation, to see if we are a “good fit” for one another! This initial meeting, at a mutually-convenient location, generally lasts 30 minutes, over coffee.
Yes, when together we determine that our relationship is a good fit, I will ask that you sign a letter of understanding and pay a non-refundable deposit of $300 to hold the date. The balance of the fee is due at rehearsal.
According to your needs and desires, I prepare a custom ceremony, attend the rehearsal, coordinate with your wedding planning professional, and officiate the ceremony.
Absolutely! I will email it to you about two (2) weeks prior to the celebration, and ask you to review it. Any changes are cheerfully made.
Yes!
That’s up to you. Although I believe a rehearsal helps ensure that your wedding day will go smoothly, I do not insist upon having one, and will work with your planning professional on the morning of your ceremony to “walk through” the ceremony.
We work closely with your planning professional, and practice those parts of the ceremony that require movement: The processional, hand-off of bouquet, exchange of rings, any special ritual like wine ceremony, candle lighting, family blending, etc., and the recessional. Although that sounds simple enough, walking through these parts allows us to “get the bugs out” and also helps minimize wedding-day nerves! The final payment, made by check, is due by the end of the rehearsal.
Although we sincerely appreciate your hospitality, we do not attend the rehearsal dinner.
If invited, we may or may not stay for the reception. If we do stay, we are available to say a blessing over the meal. Two (2) meals will be requested if we choose to stay.
My staff and I are available for renewal of vows, baby naming or blessings, house blessings, and other rites of passage, funerals and memorials.
Yes, if during our initial consultation, if we determine that our services are not a fit for your particular needs, we will graciously let you know, and be delighted to offer recommendations. Other type of unions that violate our governing ministries’ statement of faith can not be performed.
No. Immediately after the service the new couple retires to the green room or a private area to sign the wedding certificate, along with your photographer and videographer. Two witnesses are required, usually the best man and the maid of honor. This certificate is given to the best man to file the next day.
We begin receiving date reservations, and book through the upcoming season. Occasionally we book two weddings on the same day, one in the morning, and one if the afternoon, if time and travel permit. We are prompt, and arrive about one hour prior to the ceremony. Your wedding professional will be given our cell phone numbers as well, so on that special day, you will not be concerned about our whereabouts.
Not necessarily, yet recommended. Some young couples that have taken time away from their faith or from local church attendance, even for years, usually return to their roots when children finally arrive, returning to their spiritual roots. As such, having a prayer and a blessing is part of your wedding you usually don’t regret years later.
Yes, as a professional Videographer, Pastor Ed and his lovely wife Karen have also served the wedding market as VideoGraphers when not officiating a ceremony. For a modest fee, they can bring one of their cameras, and have it set up. The tape will be handed over to the bride/groom upon the conclusion of the ceremony. No editing services however. It is simpy raw footage to be added to whatever professional arrangements have been made to videotape your wedding.
Yes and Yes! I have worked with Daniel Avila Photography for many, many weddings. They are in San Jose in Willow Glen. I highly recommend Daniel. For your VideoGraphy needs, I strongly recommend Christian Morrison at Remnant Studios in San Jose. You will not be disappointed with either of them.
There are several sacred moments which typically go into a wedding ceremony. We have officiated weddings which were as brief as 18 minutes, or as long as two (2) hours! Together we will work together to create a ceremony that reflects your preferences.
The Unity Candle Ceremony consists of the lighting of one candle from two separate candles held by the bride and groom. This ceremony symbolizes the union of two lives into one. Creative variations can be added to the ceremony, such as the mothers of the bride and groom, or any designated member of the wedding party, lighting the candles after they walk down the isle.
The wedding ring is the visible sign of an inward bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love. It is a seal of the vows made to one another. It symbolizes living together in unity, love and happiness for the rest of their lives.
The breaking of the glass at the end of a wedding ceremony usually is reserved for Jewish ceremonies. However, it is a beautiful ending to any wedding. “Breaking the glass serves to remind us of two very important aspects of a marriage. The bride and groom - and everyone - should consider these marriage vows as an IRREVOCABLE ACT - just as permanent and final as the breaking of this glass is unchangeable. But the breaking of the glass also is a warning of the FRAILTY of a marriage. That sometimes a single thoughtless act, breech of trust, or infidelity can damage a marriage in ways that are very difficult to undo - just as it would be so difficult to undo the breaking of this glass. Knowing that this marriage is permanent, the bride and groom should strive to show each other the love and respect befitting their spouse and love of their life."
Many couples with children are remarrying and want to include their children in the ceremony. There are numerous ways this may be done. Ask us about the Family Medallion Ceremony or a vows made to the children.
This is a family/friends ceremony. Each designated person comes up and places a different flower in a vase to create a garden of love.
Do you have your own wedding ideas? We will incorporate nearly any tasteful, appropriate suggestion into the ceremony so that it is one the most magical event of your life.
Pastor Ed doesn’t necessarily set a specific “fee” for his ministry, however, an honorarium that clearly demonstrates respect for his time, travel and ministry is both usual and customary. While few may not understand the necessity of properly compensating your ceremony officiate, keep in mind that most couples will spend thousands on meals, flowers and other expenses. An honorarium given to your officiate demonstrates respect for the professionalism and the ministry involved in making your ceremony both memorable and flawless. As such, Pastor Ed can not be “hired” as a typical vendor such as flower or meal caterer.
A small and intimate celebration, with 15 or fewer guest may be performed at a private home, backyard or hotel suite and within 20 miles of Sacramento (Lincoln, Roseville and Rocklin). Usually a briefer ceremony (12-15 min.) in any of several styles, themes, traditional or contemporary, will include pre-wedding planning and consultation with Pastor Ed by email or telephone prior to the celebration. Because this ceremony is designed for small gatherings, it does not include services such as a wedding rehearsal, or special features (unity candle, rose ceremony, etc.), or coordination with musicians or planning professionals.
Any other type of wedding celebration at a church, park or public location would incur a usual and customary honorarium of plus mileage, meals and/or any on site expenses, if any. If travel is required outside the greater Sacramento area, and it is physically impossible to travel back and forth without incurring cost or a great inconvenience, then reasonable hotel accommodations will be requested. If the wedding is in any other area than Northern California, simply add $35 to the above price.
Make checks payable to:
e-Mail: Ed@TheArenaChurch.org
Phone (916) 434-5634
great wedding ceremony does not happen by itself.
riends, no two weddings are alike, and neither should yours! 
