Hello Pastor Ray
 
Just wanted to thank you again for the beautiful wedding at Gates Pass for Tammy and I yesterday (On such Short Notice). We will remember it for the rest of our lives. Please send us copies of your photos and attached are a few more for you.

Paul Moon

Wedding officiant make you comfortable? Why or why not?

We were both very comfortable during this whole process thanks to Pastor Ray's Calm yet cheery attitude, he made the whole thing more fun.

What did the officiant or clergy add that was unexpected?

The pastor was much kinder, friendly and way more knowledgeable than I was expecting. He listened very carefully to our history gave us exactly the simple and private ceremony we wanted. It was just perfect!

How did you personalize your wedding ceremony?

We wrote our own vows to each other, the Pastor was very patient and re-assuring to both of us while we read them.

Favorite wedding ceremony comment from guests?

It was so simple and small the guests loved it as much as we did. We all had a great time. Thanks Pastor Ray, For everything!

Rated 5.0 out of 5.0

Wedding officiant make you comfortable? Why or why not?

Pastor Ray made us feel very comfortable. He gave us suggestions that made us feel he had known us for years. Pastor Ray helped us with the stress of making decision for our wedding that was unexpected to us.

What did the officiant or clergy add that was unexpected?

After my soon to be wife walked down the aisle, she was overwhelmed with joy and was very emotional. Pastor Ray handed her a handkerchief, and then again later in the ceremony. Pastor Ray was very prepared when you're not sure what to expect. Thanks!

How did you personalize your wedding ceremony?

After meeting with Pastor Ray and giving him our background, he designed the perfect ceremony for us, including scripture readings and a fantastic poem.

Favorite wedding ceremony comment from guests?

Our guests commented what a beautiful ceremony. They also said he did a great job keeping the rain to a minimum!

Rated 5.0 out of 5.0

Wedding officiant make you comfortable? Why or why not?

Pastor Ray made myself and now husband feel very comfortable. He was cheerful and was very understanding. He maintains a cheerful attitude so as not to make the meeting feel to stiff. He made us feel that our day really was a special day.

What did the officiant or clergy add that was unexpected?

Pastor Ray seemed to have no issue in giving his two cents. I have no problems with that. He would state the feeling he got from us and threw in many suggestions. He walked us through in a very professional and clear manner.

How did you personalize your wedding ceremony?

Although we had the traditional vows in our ceremony we also were able to add our own wedding vows. He was also able to work with our odd number of brides maids and grooms men.

Favorite wedding ceremony comment from guests?

Many of the guests commented on how beautiful the pastor spoke and the choices he had made on which versus to read. Some had only wished he had been able to stay and enjoy the reception. ^.^

Rated 5.0 out of 5.0

Wedding officiant make you comfortable? Why or why not?

Pastor Ray made us both very comfortable. Ten days before our wedding we decided to change up officiant from a judge to a Pastor. Pastor Ray met with us two days later and completely customized the whole ceremony with us.

What did the officiant or clergy add that was unexpected?

Pastor Ray adds a touch of class and really made our ceremony very warm and loving.

How did you personalize your wedding ceremony?

Our wedding was completely customized! We had a Celtic style ceremony with an Oathing Stone, Pastor Ray helped us the whole way with planning from start to finish.

Favorite wedding ceremony comment from guests?

We had many comments about our wedding ceremony but what stood out to me was the fact that my guy friends even made comments about how Pastor Ray did a great job.

Rated 5.0 out of 5.0

Wedding officiant make you comfortable? Why or why not?

Pastor Ray was extremely personable and warm. He guided the planning process for my wedding with expert care, offering suggestions and proposals, even as he actively listened to my ideas and concerns.

What did the officiant or clergy add that was unexpected?

The stylings and decor of Pastor Ray's second-story chapel surprised me. The room was completely perfect for the intimate setting we had discussed.

How did you personalize your wedding ceremony?

Pastor Ray was open to customizing anything and everything. I was engaged in personalizing every element of his script and vows, and he offered a number of options for locales.

Favorite wedding ceremony comment from guests?

My mother commented after the ceremony on how perfect the Country Club was in both its interior and exterior for taking photos. Although I did not have many guests at the wedding (by design), everyone in attendance was impressed by every aspect of the ceremony. I can not say enough good things myself :)

Rated 5.0 out of 5.0

Wedding officiant make you comfortable? Why or why not?

My wife and I being in the Coast Guard were always having our chops busted by the former Navy Chief. LOL. My wife and her family have known Pastors Ray and Trish for years and they made me feel like family from the moment I met them.

What did the officiant or clergy add that was unexpected?

His organization was outstanding while letting us have complete control over the ceremony.

How did you personalize your wedding ceremony?

Our music set our ceremony apart from many others. Pastor Ray was very accommodating as we asked to have a "secret" rose ceremony for a presentation to our mothers and to friends and family who could not be with us. I was pretty proud of my dip for kissing my wife too - Pastor Ray was quite surprised as seen in many pictures we got from the moment ;-)

Favorite wedding ceremony comment from guests?

How happy, natural and obvious our love for one another is. Ceremony specific: The length was perfect, long enough to truly express our faith in God and the commitment we made, our gratitude for everyone being there, but short enough to enjoy and not overheat in the early April Arizona weather.

Rated 5.0 out of 5.0

Wedding officiant make you comfortable? Why or why not?

We can't thank Pastor Ray Elliott enough. There are not enough words to describe how amazing Pastor Ray is. As the bride I expected to be so nervous the day of the wedding especially after our first Rev. backed out a month before our wedding and poor Pastor Ray got bite by a rattle snake the night before the wedding, but I was as relaxed as a butterfly thanks to Pastor Ray taking the time pre-wedding to help us plan the most perfect ceremony that fit our wants and needs. Pastor Ray knew just from sitting down with us one time that kind of people we were and the kind of ceremony that fit us the best.

What did the officiant or clergy add that was unexpected?

Pastor Ray Elliott read our service from the heart. Everyone there could truly feel the meaning of the words he was reading. Pastor Ray's voice and heart are the best unexpected additions to the ceremony. Anyone can read a service, but the way Pastor Ray express the emotions and meaning for the words in priceless. Pastor Ray doesn't just read the ceremony to the Bride and Groom; every single person there walks away with a truer meaning of the words Love and Marriage.

How did you personalize your wedding ceremony?

We personalized our wedding ceremony by having Pastor Ray perform a Rose Ceremony that our guest can't stop talking about. The rose ceremony really hit the heart of all our guest they all found the true meaning of the three simple words "I LOVE YOU." Several couples who had been married for 30, 40, 50 years all came up to us and said we wish we had the rose Ceremony when we had gotten married. The heart that Pastor Elliott put into the words of the rose ceremony brought tears to several guest and wedding party attendants. They true were able to see the love that was in the air that day and see the love that was being shared with everyone.

Favorite wedding ceremony comment from guests?

Our favorite wedding comments from our guest were that "Our Ceremony was the best ceremony they have ever attended", "You could just see the love between the bride and groom", "Our ceremony was the most true, and meaningful ceremony they had ever been to and that they were in awe with how Pastor Rays words were able to bring the true meaning of love to there relationship after so many years together" and one of our favorite lines came from our best man who never cries told us "you brought tears to my eyes with the exchanging of the roses."

Rated 5.0 out of 5.0

Wedding officiant make you comfortable? Why or why not?

Pastor Ray was very personable and warmed up to my wife and myself. We both felt totally relaxed and taken care of with Pastor Ray. He guided us through the whole process and made it a wonderful experience from the first meeting to the wedding.

What did the officiant or clergy add that was unexpected?

Pastor Ray gave us both council throughout the ups and downs that confronted us as we prepared to have our ceremony. He helped us find the inner strength that we already had and needed to stand up and declare our love for each other. Thank you Pastor Ray.

How did you personalize your wedding ceremony?

The whole ceremony was personalized for us. The first meeting with Pastor Ray gave him a chance to understand the relationship that had grown between the two of us. He asked us questions and listened to what we had to say and saw the real people that sat there with him. These answers, our actions and the other little tells that make up our relationship helped Pastor Ray craft and shape the ceremony that he united our love and lives with. It was truly a special moment that will always live on in our hearts and memories forever.

Favorite wedding ceremony comment from guests?

All the comments from our guests were our favorite comments. All of the guests at the wedding told us virtually the same thing. It was a beautiful ceremony and they thanked us for letting them share the moment with us.

Rated 5.0 out of 5.0

Wedding officiant make you comfortable? Why or why not?

Pastor Ray was great!! He made my wife and I very comfortable. We live in Illinois and contacted Pastor Ray over the phone and he was sincere, very professional and easy to talk to from the beginning of our talks. Once we arrived in Arizona, we met with Pastor Ray and he walked us through the ceremony and prepared us for our big day. He is very friendly and genuine. Pastor Ray drove out to the Wyndham Canoa Ranch in Green Valley (GREAT RESORT) and performed a wonderful ceremony. I would recommend Pastor Ray to anyone looking for a Pastor to perform their wedding ceremony. Thanks Pastor Ray!!! We will always remember our special day and the special ceremony that you prepared for us. Scott and Janelle

What did the officiant or clergy add that was unexpected?

Pastor Ray added a very comfortable environment. It was relaxed and he was very genuine and easy going. He made it fun!

How did you personalize your wedding ceremony?

We had a small outdoor wedding at the Wyndham Canoa Ranch resort and we couldn't do a unity candle ceremony due to the wind so Pastor Ray recommended a sand ceremony which turned out beautifully and we will always remember it.

Favorite wedding ceremony comment from guests?

They were impressed at the effort that Pastor Ray put into the ceremony. It lasted 16 minutes and was wonderful. We were not sure, since we organized the event over the phone, of the caliber of Pastor we would get but we made an excellent choice with Pastor Ray.

Rated 5.0 out of 5.0

Wedding officiant make you comfortable? Why or why not?

Pastor Ray was very easy to work with and made us feel like family!

What did the officiant or clergy add that was unexpected?

Pastor Ray always added the right amount of humor

How did you personalize your wedding ceremony?

We made as many changes as we wanted to without ever feeling constricted

Favorite wedding ceremony comment from guests?

Very personable!

Rated 5.0 out of 5.0

Pastor,

Thank you so much for providing such a beautiful ceremony (and in a record time, too!). Paul and I feel so blessed that we found the perfect person to perform our ceremony. We couldn't stop beaming over how wonderfully everything went. Thank you so much, for everything.

Love,
Paul and Nicole

I just wanted to just send a quick e-mail before too much time had passed but I did receive your e-mail and we can't thank you enough for all your help through all of this. I know we probably weren't the most helpful with getting back to you in a timely manner and for that we apologize. We had numerous people come up to us and say how wonderful the ceremony was and obviously you were a huge part of that. I, Ryan wanted to personally thank you and don't know how to say this, but I really appreciated your laid back attitude. You were willing to work with us however we needed you to. You bent over backwards for us to make sure we got everything the way we wanted. I was scared to death of finding someone that was more uptight and had predetermined thoughts about how the ceremony should be and there was an incredible relief that came over me after we met for the first time. In no time at all I was comfortable and relaxed with you knowing that we were going to succeed in having a relaxed and fun wedding. So I just wanted to say thank you for being so willing to work with us no matter what ideas we came up with, good or bad. I have every intention of getting you pictures when dee and I have a chance to sit down and get them sent off to you. Thank you for everything. I was hoping to be able to get an mailing address so we can at least get you a thank you card. Deeply regretful that I didn't have a chance to thank you at the wedding in person.

The crazy bride and groom,

Ryan and Dee Taskila