Who are you?

I'm not sure even my mother knows the answer to that, but I'll try to give you an idea. I was born and raised in small town Texas (Olney). I have been an ordained minister for 30 + years. I came to Las Vegas in 1997 with my wife of over 35 years to work with the staff chaplain at The Riviera Hotel as pastor of Church at The Riviera. I serve as local terminal chaplain for an international automotive transport company.  My wife and I also minister to the needs of people in this resort area of the world. We have two wonderful children, Kathi, who lives in Lubbock, Texas and is a grade school  teacher. Our son Lee is attending college in Texas. I'm proud to say that my grandmother, mother, wife, and daughter were or are all school teachers. Most important however, I am the granddad of little Keri Grace. Oh yeah, and I have a son-in-law Jimmie.  He's a band director or something like that.  Also see About Phil under the Everything Phil link for further information.

What do you sound like?

Some people say I sound like Dr. Phil of Oprah fame. I say he sounds like me. I’m a year older. We certainly don’t look alike (he’s bald). While we both originate from the same area of Texas and have a Southern drawl, I think my voice is a little lower than his. He seems to get high pitched when he gets excited!

How do I book you?

Well, first of all, let me say you have such good taste in ministers. Next, if you are using a wedding facility, check with them to determine if they allow outside ministers. Then email me at phil@LVRev.com, or use the web site contact form. We can then determine my availability for your time and date.  

Do we meet you before the wedding?

This is your call. Some couples would rather handle everything by phone or e-mail, while others would rather meet in person. If you live out of town, we can arrange to meet you when you are in Las Vegas if you would like. I usually meet in my home in South Summerlin.

What about your fee?

My fee varies due to distance and location, but is about mid-range for officiants in Las Vegas. Some facilities include me on their list and will pay me directly for officiating your weddings. Other facilities have their own ministers but will allow you to bring in your own officiant. Some of these facilities will pay me; others will require you to pay me directly. If you have purchased a package from the facility, some will reimburse to you the officiant fee (if included in your package); others will not. Of course if you are doing a private affair you would pay me directly. If you are paying me directly, I will collect from you the day of the wedding when I arrive.  I always collect before the ceremony in order not to be a distraction afterwards.  There is just too much going on then!

Do you attend the rehearsal?

No. This is for a variety of reasons. 1.) I am nothing but a “fencepost” at a rehearsal. 2.) Most facilities have coordinators that handle your rehearsal, and they are usually pretty territorial and VERY GOOD at what they do. 3.) If you are doing a private affair, I will be happy to help you at no charge with a mini-rehearsal the day of your wedding. 4.) I can also arrange for a wedding coordinator to take charge of your rehearsal for an additional charge. 5.) My suggestion is that you appoint your “bossy” aunt or sister to ramrod the rehearsal using the plan of action found at the Resources link on this web site. 6.) In my opinion, rehearsals are WAY overblown. They amount to a lining up of people and marching them in and out. Trust me. Just have the wedding party go directly to the rehearsal DINNER. You can then watch how enthused the groom’s dad is about paying for dinner. (That’s got to be a heck of a lot more fun than a rehearsal!)

Do you attend rehearsal dinners?

No. My schedule doesn’t permit, but thanks for the thought! (Actually, I love rehearsal dinners, but Janie thinks I should spend some time at home. Houdini, our poodle, doesn’t recognize me anymore!)

When do you arrive at my wedding?

About 30 minutes to an hour before your ceremony. Don’t worry. In 30 + years I have never missed a wedding, funeral, or service! And yes, I always have a backup plan.

What do you do when you arrive?

I usually check in with the wedding coordinator or whoever is available at the time.  I check for any last minute questions or instructions. I then take care of completing the paperwork and having the witness(es) sign(s) the marriage certificate. I also collect my fee here if the couple is paying be direct. I then survey the area, so I don’t walk up the wrong aisle!

When do I pay you?

If your facility is paying me, you don’t have to worry about it. If you are paying me directly, it is best to give me an envelope with cash (small, unmarked bills please!) before the wedding. This can be handled by giving the best man or maid/matron of honor the envelope along with the marriage certificate & copy and the copy of the marriage license – 3 forms. I will have them sign as witnesses and return to them your souvenir marriage certificate.

Do you receive tips/tokes?

If you choose to give a tip or toke, it will be appreciated and put to a good use.

Can you explain the marriage license process?

Probably not but I will try! First see MARRIAGE LAWS. The day of your wedding I will receive the Marriage Certificate, copy of Marriage Certificate, and copy of Marriage License from your two witnesses (usually the best man & maid/matron of honor) along with an envelope with my fee in cash (if you are paying me directly). I will complete the paperwork and return to your witnesses the souvenir copy of the certificate. I will be responsible for mailing into the Clark County Recorders Office the copy of the certificate, so you can obtain certified copies when you need them. The copy of the license will remain in my files.

In order to complete your paperwork correctly: 1.) Don’t write on it yourself! 2.) Make sure I receive all three forms. 3.) Provide me with your correct mailing address & the correct spelling of the witnesses names. 4.) REMEMBER THIS: You will not receive anything in the mail. If you want a certified copy, you must obtain it yourself from Clark County by mail (see the back of your certificate) or the form the marriage license bureau gave you when you purchased your license.

Do you stay for pictures?

My theory is you don’t really want me in any of your pictures, even though many photographers want you to have the obligatory minister/bride/groom shot. If you would like a picture(s) with me, just let me know and I will be glad to accommodate.

Do you stay for the reception?

This is absolutely the hardest question to answer of all the FAQs! Here is the answer in multi-parts:
1.) If you are asking because your mother or Martha Stewart expects you to ask me, don’t worry about it. My policy is: “It’s your wedding, you get it your way!” I’m never offended if you don’t ask.
2.) If you genuinely want me there, I will do my best to stay, but I can never guarantee I can stay. My ministry schedule sometimes changes on a daily basis. In addition, I have emergencies come up from time to time.
3.) Because of #2, I hate for a couple to pay for dinners for Janie and me.
4.) My best solution: If you want, invite us, and Janie (the most beautiful woman in the world and my wife for 30 + years) and I will stay if we can or I will stay if Janie is unavailable. Don’t include us in the guest count and we will sit at an empty table. (I can count on one hand the number of weddings I have attended where everyone shows up!) If that happens, Janie & I will visit with your guests until dinner and then will make a graceful, discreet, and quiet exit.
5.) If we stay for dinner, we usually exit before the cake cutting. Our lives are very busy, and cake and champagne (actually, sparkling cider) every night until midnight is a bit much!
6.) If your mother or Martha Stewart wins out, invite Janie & me and we will be at your reception if we can.
7.) Please don’t worry about me. It never hurts me to miss a meal once in a while! (If you are getting married at a facility, I can always sneak in the kitchen and get something.)

I saw you a week/month/year after my wedding and you didn’t know me.

Unfortunately, this is the downside to this business. While I sometimes remember faces and happenings at functions, I don’t remember names. When you perform hundreds of weddings a year, it’s hard to remember what day of the week it is. I want my time with you to be special and focused, but once it is over I must go on to the next couple. If you see me, please stop me and remind me. I always love visiting with the thousands of couples for whom I have performed ceremonies. Many times couples and families have called me for other ministry needs. I am always honored, and feel blessed, that we have crossed paths at a special time in life.