JD Prendergast

5.0

(2)

About this pro

J. Douglas Prendergast is a non-denominational travelling wedding officiant. He offers custom ceremonies and is committed to helping couples keep their wedding affordable. Since no two couples are the same, and by extension no two weddings are the same either, every ceremony is customized to meet the needs and desires for the two of you. The Honorarium (fee) is negotiable and I can arrange for witnesses, if needed. I enjoy a great story, hence my interests in reading books, attending performances, and watching movies. When I meet a couple and get to know them it like a great story ~ except their story is real life and in the present. When I am asked to help them celebrate their love for each other I feel like I'm getting to play a very small role in their life long story. But it's more than being a spectator. It's a special privilege that I get to stand with the two of them in front of me, each declaring their love for each other and pledging their lives to each other. I get to be a witness to a miracle ~ for something changes in both of them. In an instant their relationship takes on a whole new meaning and is forever changed. And being right there as it happens is better than any book, play, or movie. This is what I enjoy most about officiating a wedding.

6 years in business

4 hires on Thumbtack

1 employee

Reviews

5.0

2 reviews

100%

Amanda B.

Doug was more than we could have imagined! He was available anytime we had questions and was willing to meet even at last minute! Very professional! Offered support for those wedding day jitters! Was such a great help the day of the wedding!! I would highly recommend him to anyone needing an officiate for their wedding and looking for some who is professional,outstanding above will go above and beyond without being asked!
Sep 6, 2015Verified
Jean-Pierre C.

My fiancée and I were in search of a good fit for our impromptu elopement-style wedding. We were looking for someone who was kind, down-to-earth, and generally not stuffy. Doug was that and so very much more. We were working with an incredibly limited time frame and Doug devoted all of his time to us and was with us every step of the way. Doug's initial reply to our request was very kind and personalized and didn't feel at all cookie-cutter like so many other officiant services we had looked at. We had a very positive first impression. Doug wrote a ceremony script for us that was built around the event we had initially planned out and included beautiful quotes and poems that were relevant. The script itself was entirely customized for us and he was fantastic about getting our feedback and modifying the script as we desired. Doug was incredibly flexible and even collaborated with us via Skype since we didn't have time to meet face-to-face beforehand. On the day of, the weather had not been kind and we had to cancel our main event about two hours before it took place. My fiancée and I didn't have a contingency plan and the wedding party was only immediate family so we decided to have a cozy wedding in our home. This is where Doug completely transformed our wedding... Doug arrived with an alternate ceremony script, which was spot-on, in the event our main plan fell through. Doug had even packed his car with an arch, white Christmas-style lights, candles, and the works just in case. He helped set everything up in our backyard and was so incredibly friendly and kind the entire time. We had a more beautiful wedding than we could have ever imagined and the ceremony was perfect, all thanks to Doug. My family and I enjoyed every moment and Doug even offered us a personalized gift to commemorate the wedding. Wow! Doug went way beyond our expectations in every possible way. We insisted that Doug dine with us afterwards and we had a fantastic time. Doug is one of the nicest, most genuine people I've ever met and my wife and I are so blessed he was able to officiate our wedding. Even though Doug came in as our officiator, he left our home as a very dear friend and kindred spirit and I feel that we all made a very special connection. My family absolutely adored him too. If I had to go back and do it all over again, I would choose Doug in a heartbeat. It is my honor to give Doug the highest rating available. Doug, if you are reading this - I honestly can't thank you enough for everything. You are the best and everyone out there needs to know it! Thank you again and again! PS - We haven't forgotten about your book either. Always remember: when, not if! :) I still can't wait to see it! Please keep in touch! Sincerely, JP and Alaina Married 6-28-14
Sep 5, 2014Verified

Photos and Videos

5 photos

FAQs

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
My pricing is simple. Yet for some people, it can seem complicated and maybe it's because I do things differently than other officiants. The honorarium (fee) is all inclusive and is also flexible. What this means is whether you choose to have me read a pre-written script or ask me to craft a ceremony completely from scratch the price is still the same. Whether I only officiate or also help set up chairs a few hours before the wedding and sweep the floors afterwards it's the same price. And as far as flexibility goes I can suggest an honorarium I think is fair. If, however, you feel it's not fair or isn't affordable we can negotiate what we think is fair and more affordable. And in the end, if you feel my efforts and service are undervalued I will happily accept more than we agreed upon. I think it's quite simple actually. Perhaps this method is unusual but I don't think it's complicated. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask!
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
When I first communicate with a new client I ask a few basic questions, as any officiant should. But I try to get to a point where the communication is conversational in nature to get a better sense for her or his personality. The next step is typically a meeting ~ usually face to face and physically present but sometimes the meeting is digital. I prefer this kind of meeting because it allows for non-verbal communication, unlike email, text, or even a phone call. Communication is key to any relationship be it a client, a friend, or a spouse. I prefer to have open communication without a lot of hindrances in order to give my best abilities to those other areas and face to faces meetings go a long way to achieve this. What happens after the initial meeting is unscripted. It's usually the client that determines how we proceed. Sometimes we meet again. Other times it's just emails and phone calls until the rehearsal or wedding itself.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am a chaplain and this means I serve people of all faiths and backgrounds, not just my own. My father and step-mother are Roman Catholic. My mother is an Evangelical Christian. While some people see this as a major conflict I feel blessed for having experienced both traditions. After I joined the military and traveled around I allowed myself to experience the traditions of other faiths ~ including Islam and Buddhism. Eventually, I experienced Judaism and became a convert. I love my faith so much that I studied and become a rabbi. But, as I frequently say to people, it's not about my beliefs ~ it's all about yours. This is your wedding and your ceremony, not mine! My purpose is to serve as a witness to your marriage and help you celebrate it in the ways that are most meaningful to you ~ whether those are ancient traditions or something more modern... or traditions unique only to yourselves.

Business hours

Pacific Standard Time Zone

Sunday	9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Monday	9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday	9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday	9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Thursday	9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday	9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday	9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.