Introduction: Weddings by Roberta Central Coast (WBRCC)
Roberta Thompson
FAQs
1. What are your qualifications as an officiant? Since 2017, I have been a professional bilingual (English/Spanish) ordained officiant from Santa Maria, CA, having officiated 403 life cycle ceremonies (weddings, vow renewals, baby-naming, celebrations of life). My credentials are from American Marriage Ministries (Minister ID 689024). I am a graduate of the Wedding Merchant Business Academy and a member of the International Association of Professional Wedding Officiants and Central Coast Wedding Professionals. In addition, I hold City of Santa Maria and County of Santa Barbara business licenses.
2. How many weddings per year do you officiate? I officiate an average of 57 weddings per year. I honor diversity and inclusion for all of my couples and families.
3. Do you travel to venues? Yes. I work mostly in a four-county area: Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura and Kern. However, I can travel to anywhere in the United States.
4. At what types of venues do you provide your services? Homes, beaches, vineyards, parks, backyards, boats, hilltops, chapels, hotels, courthouses, government buildings, pool sides, vacation rentals, restaurants, event halls, and jails, to name a few.
5. Some venues require vendors to have insurance. Are you insured? Yes, WBRCC is insured by Performing Entertainers & Event Professionals.
6. Does WBRCC provide the marriage license? No, the couple is responsible to obtain the marriage license from any County in California. WBRCC will provide information about the marriage license process to you.
7. What does the all-inclusive fee mean? WBRCC provides the following services in the all-inclusive fee:
--creation of a personalized ceremony script (you are given a copy after the ceremony)
--unlimited contact time with the couple/family
--filing of the marriage license with the County, if applicable
--detailed instructions given to witnesses
--travel expenses
--monthly check-ins
--a scanned, unofficial, copy of the marriage license, if applicable
8. Does WBRCC accept marriage licenses from out-of-state? No, California law does not permit an officiant to sign a marriage license from another state.
9. How long is the ceremony? It depends on each couple, but normally, a ceremony takes approximately 15 minutes.
10. How much does WBRCC charge for a ceremony? There is a base fee for the ceremony. The fee is more if travel is outside of WBRCC’s normal service area. For example, the base fee is within the North Santa Barbara County and South San Luis Obispo County areas. Any travel outside of those boundaries, travel expenses will be incurred.
Can I pay in advance? All fees are paid in advance of the ceremony. If the ceremony is over 30 days from the date of the contract, then a 25% nonrefundable retainer fee must be paid to reserve the date. The balance is due no later than 30 days prior to the ceremony. The couple can pay the entire fee in advance, if that is their preference. WBRCC does not acept payments the day of the ceremony.
11. Do you offer discounts? A 10% discount is only offered to active-duty military couples.
12. Are the ceremonies religious? What if I don’t have any religious
preferences? This is your wedding day, so it should be whatever you want. It can be religious with readings and passages, or it can be strictly nonreligious. Let’s talk about the options.
13. Does WBRCC provide a microphone? No, if a microphone is necessary, the venue, the DJ or the couple will provide that equipment.
14. Does WBRCC provide other services? WBRCC can provide contact information for coordinators, venues, vendors, and photographers when requested.
15. What does WBRCC wear to a ceremony? Does the officiant wear a minister’s stole? The officiant’s apparel depends on the couple’s request. This can vary depending on the location or the weather. Normally, the officiant wears a long dress. If the couple requests a religious or nondenominational ceremony, then typically the officiant will wear a minister’s stole (white stole: one side has gold ‘dove of peace’ and other side has interlaced gold bands). This is at the discretion of the couple.
16. How can I contact WBRCC? What are the hours? The best way to make initial contact is by text message, in order to set up an appointment. We can have a video chat (Facetime or Zoom), meet in person (if the couple lives near Santa Maria, CA) or schedule a phone call. WBRCC maintains a very flexible schedule.
