Frequently Asked Questions
Rev. Arland Steen
Working with you to capture, communicate,
craft and celebrate your special day.



Yes, I am a real minister.  I founded a non-denominational church in Thousand Oaks,
California in 1981.  I was pastor for 25 years and the church grew to 400 people.  I have
performed dozens of weddings and renewal of vow ceremonies, dozens of funerals and
over one hundred baby dedications.  I am ordained with Rhema Ministerial Association
International (RMAI).  It is the licensing arm of Rhema Bible Training Center in
Oklahoma, from where I graduated in 1979.  



Historically the term means that a church is not officially part of a denominational
structure such as Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Methodist, Lutheran or Baptist – to name
just a few.  There are hundreds of Christian denominations in the United States.  For
most brides, the term has a broader and more ambiguous meaning because any
wedding minister who conducts more than one basic ceremony in character, beliefs or
style could be considered non-denominational.  For most brides, “non-denominational”
means a minister who is willing to adapt the ceremony to the spirituality of the couple,
including non-religious ceremonies.



I perform both religious and non-religious ceremonies.  My emphasis is on creating a
personally-crafted ceremony for each couple irrespective of it being a religious or non-
religious ceremony.  I am careful to recognize your religious tradition in a meaningful
way.  I am well versed in the use of scripture to express love and joy.  And I am
respectful of your religious or non-religious backgrounds.



I currently provide wedding minister services anywhere in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los
Angeles or Orange Counties.  If your location is outside of these counties but in
southern or central California, arrangements are still possible with special
considerations for travel.



The pre-marital session can include one of several topics depending upon each
couples need.  It could consist of a post-divorce session if either the bride or groom is
entering into a second marriage; a family history analysis; expectations each has for
their marriage; goals in marriage; guidelines for the relationship with in-laws; basic
financial considerations; or, even a question and answer session.  Keep in mind that I
offer this as a pastor with real world experience.  I am not a certified marriage counselor.



This post-marital session takes place approximately one year from the wedding
ceremony.  In this session I ask each individual the same two questions and then let
them answer.  I’ve found that after one year the marriage has enough history for
reflection and yet is young enough for flexible improvement.



There are two primary advantages.  In today’s society everyone tends to multi-task,
sometimes to the point of being less effective in all areas.  The Premier Package
guarantees that I will only be officiating one wedding all weekend – yours.  It frees my
mind to focus on only one wedding and one event.  Second, it assures you that in spite
of last minute changes, delays or emergencies involving the ceremony that I will
personally be there for you.  I conducted a wedding once in which an accident closed all
lanes of a freeway and all the guests were coming from that direction.  The location was
a beautiful, mountainous area but quite secluded.  The wedding party was at the
location but none of the guests could arrive on time.  The ceremony started 4 hours
late!  Granted this is an unlikely event but if it happened once, it could happen again.  
Serving Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange Counties