Weddings With Paul

$160

estimated cost

Zip code

Scheduling

It’s free, with no obligation to book

Introduction: Hi friend, Let me share with you my favorite wedding memory. I was standing in front of the couple, Miriam and Don, as they were exchanging their vows. Miriam was speaking her vows to Don when she got emotional and paused for a prolonged moment. Thinking she was done, Miriam's sister thought it was time for her to sing a song and began singing. Miriam turned to me to me with tears welling up in her eyes and said, "I wasn't done saying my vows." I smiled at her and said, "Well, he's standing right there." So Miriam continued, but spontaneously, while a beautiful song was being sung, the two of them enter into a dialogue of sharing vows. It was an amazing moment of two people sharing the deepest longings of their hearts concerning their commitments of love to each other. I was humbled to be in their presence. I'm new to Thumbtack, but over the past 30 years or so I have performed a myriad of weddings. Most, but not all, of those weddings I preformed as a pastor in a church related setting of some sort. However, all of them were deeply moving experiences. It's hard to describe how amazing it is to be standing a few feet away from two people who are in love and making profound commitments to each other. Some people might call it magical or mysterious. I call it sacred. It would be an honor to share this life-changing moment with you. Along with celebrating the joy of your love, I can help you think through the fine details of your wedding with the aim of creating an experience that reflects who the two of you are and the love you have for each other. Each wedding is a unique experience and your wedding should be uniquely yours. Ideally, I like to connect with the couple three times prior to the wedding, if time allows. Twice as a couple and once individually with each person. I'm hoping you'll look my way for creating an amazing wedding memory.

Overview

Hired 3 times

Serves Newberg, OR

Background checked

1 employee

1 year in business

Payment methods

Cash, Check

This pro indicated that they reviewed CDC safety guidelines for COVID-19 and pledged to do the following:

Wear masks during the job

Specialties

Type of ceremony

Service type (affiliation)

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Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, responsiveness, and value.

5.0

3 reviews

100%

Miriam S.

Paul is a very caring person and he listens well and responds to the needs expressed. He asked us thoughtful questions that helped clarify for us what we really wanted in our wedding. I always felt valued by him throughout the wedding process (discussions of what we wanted, rehearsal, and wedding day itself). He also has a fabulous sense of humor! It was a wonderful choice for us to ask Paul to officiate our wedding, we never regretted it.

Weddings With Paul's reply

Your wedding holds one of the most sacred and humorous memories I've experienced. Thanks for the kind words.

Jan 13, 2021

Erica H.

Paul was an amazing officiant! He was spiritually grounded, fun, prepared, helpful, sincere and kept us focused on the joy of the event. 35 years later, I can still remember his kind words during our wedding and his ability to help us feel comfortable and joyful despite having 500 people watching us. Paul is such an important person in our lives. It means the world to us to know he was there with us sharing this life changing moment.

Weddings With Paul's reply

Thanks for the kind words Erica (and Michael). Such a great memory that goes along with all the other memories through the years.

Dec 8, 2020

Brittney H.

It says I can only pick three items, but along with Responsiveness, Value, and Work Quality, I would choose Professionalism and Punctuality as well. Honestly, I can't say enough good things about our experience at our wedding with Paul as our officiator, nor can I say enough about his character and personality. With Paul, you just get a good mix of everything: sense of humor, fun to be around, but also deeply dedicated to the seriousness and sacredness of a wedding ceremony, joining two people together. Thirteen years ago, when we were in pre-marital counseling with Paul, it was obvious he had officiated two or three...dozen weddings. He knew what he was doing. I'll never forget the advice he gave my fiancé and I over and over again: "Just be present. Things/people will be forgotten, misplaced, rained on, whatever - just be present to yourselves and each other. Let everything else slide off and you will have a joyous day." We did exactly what he said - so well in fact, that unbeknownst to us, he realized that none of the wedding party knew when to go down the aisle and we hadn't hired or designated a wedding coordinator to direct the ceremony (What's a wedding coordinator? Did I mention we were young, fresh out of college and knew nothing about anything?). We had no idea, we were having fun! We were doing what he told us to do! Blessings on your ceremony - I hope Paul officiates! ~Brittney H.

Weddings With Paul's reply

I will never, ever forget your wedding, especially when we couldn't find you two right before the wedding. When the officiant shows up for the rehearsal to discover he's the officiant and wedding coordinator, it makes for a great adventure and a lot of fun. Like when the couple sneaks away together for a private moment to gather themselves and prepare for that special moment together and we can't find them to start the wedding. Who does that, or maybe more folks should try it. :) The memory brings such joy!

Dec 8, 2020

Credentials

Background Check

Paul Bock

FAQs

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
My fees are on a sliding scale depending on size, location, and complexity/formality of the wedding. The range is anywhere from $100 to $300. If you're interested in pre-marital counseling, that would be $50 a session.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
We'll have an initial meeting to make sure we're a good fit. If we are, we'll have a meeting of the three of us to begin initial wedding planning. Then I like to meet with each person individually in order to get to know you better. Finally, we'll have a meeting to fine-tooth comb the wedding, making sure every detail has been addressed. If you're interested in pre-marital counseling, we can set a schedule for that. Pre-marital counseling could be anywhere from three to six sessions. Of course, there might be a number of extra phone calls, emails, and texts through out the course of the planning. During the current pandemic, all meetings will be virtual.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I was a pastor in the Friends (Quaker) church for over 30 years and have officiated many weddings and provided numerous pre-marital counseling opportunities. I have been through specific training for pre-marital counseling. Note: I do not have a professional counseling degree/license, but I have taken a graduate level class and a further-educational programs geared specifically for pre-marital counseling training.

Weddings With Paul

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