* Born and raised in San Francisco, CA (Sunset, Glen Park and Mission districts)
* Catholic priest in San Francisco (Mission Dolores and St. Vincent de Paul) and Redwood City (St. Matthias) churches
* Left active priesthood with permission (written in Latin, so I think it was permission)
* Married Joan Egly in a wonderfully simple and romantic ceremony
* Entered law enforcement in San Mateo County: Manager in Probation Department, (Adult Division); and Director, Victim of Violent Crime Unit, San Mateo County, presently a division of the Office of the District Attorney. Still continued to perform weddings
* Retired. Received several awards from Federal, State and local agencies for leadership and innovation in law enforcement and crime victim advocacy in California.
* Lives on the beach in Half Moon Bay
* Still married, still in love.
Q: What are your credentials as a marriage officiant/celebrant?
A. 1. Celebrating weddings since 1962
2. Have officiated at approximately 2,650 weddings thus far
3. Certified member of and recommended by, the following national and international organizations:
* Long-time officiant of the American Fellowship Church and is registered and certified there as an Interfaith and Nondenominational minister
* Certified by the International Council of Community Churches, a U.S. based ecclesiastical endorsing organization recognized by the U.S. government (Department of Defense / Military Chaplains)
*City of Half Moon Bay Business License Certificate #08203
* Member of the Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau
* Life member of the National Registry of Who's Who In America
* Recommended by the National Organization of Wedding Officiants
* Recommended by several local and statewide wedding officiants and clergy when, for whatever reason, they themselves are unable to officiate at certain weddings.
*Twelve years of inside-the-walls, rigorous study and training for the priesthood.
* Graduated with honors from St. Patrick's Seminary / University, 320 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA
* State of California accredited degrees: Bachelor of Arts: Philosophy and Communication;Masters in Divinity (M.Div) 4 years of post-graduate study in Theology, Canon Law and Counseling/Public Speaking (along with ancient Greek and Latin, not terribly in demand in today's job market!).
* Eight years of inner city parish work in San Francisco (Mission Dolores Basilica and St. Vincent de Paul churches) and in Redwood City (St. Matthias church) including teaching, hospital chaplaincy, military liaison, public speaking, and many, many marriages.
*Comes highly recommended by Joan Andre, his very discriminating wife, and by their son, Stephen. Because of them both, he now knows everything there is to know about marriage and wedded bliss.
Q. And why is any of this important to us?
A. Because I hope this does tell you.......
that I love performing weddings,
that I care deeply about you and your wedding,
that I do know what I am doing, and
that I will never disappoint you.
That is a promise.
Q. How many weddings have you performed?
A. Thus far, I have officiated at 2,650+ weddings and look forward to making yours as special as those that went before. They have ranged from rigidly formal weddings to weddings with only the bride and groom present, with my wife or photographer or site manager acting as the required witness.
Some awesome in size (over 1100 guests),
weddings of royalty,
society and military weddings,
in cathedrals, basilicas, and churches,
in every type of home and garden imaginable,
on mountain tops and in heavy forest,
in hospitals and Intensive Care Units,
on floating docks, in art galleries, in classic hotels and inns;
at lakes, beaches, and lighthouses
in inner city tenements as well as well as country clubs,
dressed in formal black or informal jeans,
dressed in period and ethnic outfits or religious robes, Some weddings quiet and dignified, some hectic and frenzied.
Q. Are you affiliated with other officiants that you could recommend in other parts of the State or country?
A. Yes. Many throughout the state and across the U.S.A. Information upon request (no charge).
Q. Do you perform several weddings in a day or a week?
A. No, I do not perform "assembly-line" weddings. I care, and you care, far too much to use such an impersonal, cookie-cutter approach.
Q. Do you sell packages that include cake, flowers, hotel, etc.?
A. No, I will not try to sell you cake or flowers or packages or time shares, just the finest wedding ceremony in this galaxy. But I can refer you to any one of several reputable vendors, many of whom are listed in the Coastside Guide, which I will give you.
Q. Do you work with wedding coordinators, event planners, etc.?
A. I always welcome the knowledge and expertise of wedding planners and have always worked successfully and comfortably with them. I have even worked with 20+ wedding coordinators on one (!) wedding, through the company that plans and produces the awards presentations for the entertainment industry. However, I am equally comfortable helping plan your wedding directly with you, your mother, your friend, or even your father!
Q. What happens if we have a change of plans or need to cancel?
A. I do reserve your date and time and ask only that you let me know of any such changes to that date so I can free that day for other couples. But, please, do not feel badly on my account if you need to postpone or change the wedding or move the locale entirely, or even choose another officiant.
You must feel comfortable with whatever officiant you choose, and I fully understand that.
So, to make it easy, all I would ask you to do is email me or leave a phone message about any such cancellations, and it is done. I DO NOT WITHOLD YOUR DEPOSIT OR CHARGE ANY FEE FOR SUCH CHANGE. You are already under enough pressure and do not need any further hassle from me!
Q. What happens if you are unable to perform our wedding, due to illness or road closure or whatever?
A. Good question! First, I do work with my own backup wedding officiants, who share my own philosophy and whom I trust completely. With your approval, I would immediately provide them with all the details of the wedding plan that you requested.
Of course, there are other professional and experienced wedding officiants here on the Coastside and in the San Mateo area, that I have also worked with for several years, and to whom I would confidently refer in an emergency.
If, however, you would prefer to make some other arrangements, I can also help you with referrals to reliable officiants both in California and across the U.S.A..
Q. Where are your testimonials?
A. Again, profound humility prevents me from putting so many letters of praise on this website as they may over-burden the total internet system. However, my pack rat wife, Joan, has been saving them and you are welcome to come and root through them any time you like.
Q. Do you personally conduct your weddings?
A. Yes, and I can also perform your ceremony together with your own minister, rabbi, or other officiant (I have conducted weddings with Church of England officiants from Westminster Abbey in London, another with three rabbis, etc., really memorable and enjoyable ceremonies).
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