The Reverend Sarah Farmer
First, let me say to you: congratulations on your engagement! There is no song more melodic, no sound so exquisitely sweet as hearing the one you love say to you, "Will you marry me?". Know this: no matter how many roads you travel or how many years you travel upon them, you will never forget the day when he (or she, it's a modern world) spoke those four fabulous words! It is my role to then take that same sense of delight and abundant joy to create magnificent wedding memories to last a lifetime.
As a full time, ordained Non-Denominational Christian minister, I am honored and blessed to have brought together in marriage over 1000 delightful and loving couples! I work with men and women of all beliefs and traditions: religious, spiritual, or secular, celebrating your personal histories as well as the loving future laid out before you! I welcome personalization of your ceremony with traditions old and new, and will happily act as your guide in choosing the right one for the both of you.
Much like a love song, I truly feel that a ceremony should be more than just generic words on a page. As a writer I use words to weave an intricate auditory tapestry that speaks to every ear. Therefore my ceremonies are often described as warm, intimate, and heartfelt... humorous at times, but ultimately spoken directly from the heart.
In addition to being a hopeless romantic, I bring to the altar over 15 years worth of experience in the wedding industry (my background ranging not only in ministry but also wedding cakes and catering, to floral design and photography, as well as small business management). This allows me a unique perspective in creating an event that reflects your individual personalities as well as giving me an in depth understanding of logistical and technical details crucial to the wedding planning process. In other words, all you need to do is show up... I'll take care of the rest!
If there is anything that mom, life, and reality tv has taught us, it is this: Planning a wedding, be it a small and intimate gathering or a grand, extravagant affair, can be stressful! Life, work, family, and day to day responsibility can be hard enough. But add a wedding to the mix and suddenly the thrill of engagement is replaced by endless lists and late nights Googling wedding vendors and advise forums.
I have painful memories of many years ago, stumbling through my own wedding planning (when wheels were square): interviewing dozens of wedding professionals, searching for a photographer who could capture our day without costing us a limb or a first born, finding a minister who would perform the ceremony during the season of Lent, discovering the mysteries of "hidden fees" (innocuously called "add-on's" or listed only as "+"), lists, budgets, charts, arghhhh! As our budget swelled to bursting and the details swirling in my head took on tornado proportion, we ultimately gave up on our dreamy romantic beach wedding and eloped to Las Vegas... Had I only known then what I know now!
This is why Montecito Weddings packages make so much sense for the busy bride and groom or those planning a destination wedding from afar! I have taken the stress out of the wedding planning process by bringing together a highly skilled team of trained professionals, all proficient in their craft and personally trained by me to work in concert with each other to my standards of excellence. There is no need for you to research or interview individual vendors... just choose the wedding package that best suits your needs and the best of the best comes to you!
Thank you for taking the time to read a bit about me and Montecito Weddings. I look forward to getting to know you and to sharing in your most special and perfect wedding day! Blessings to you both and happy wedding planning! Most fondly, Sarah
PS. On a more personal note... When not falling in love with falling in love, I can often be found indulging in some of my favorite pastimes: Yoga, a good game of Scrabble, exploring our Southern and Central Coast's Wine Country, and making the world just a little bit chubbier... one cupcake at a time!
Pastor Scot Saunders
As a Christian minister I have learned that love and marriage grow and mature as a result of 3 things: Commitment, Communication, and Laughter. These basic principles have lead me both in my professional and personal life which I incorporate into creating meaningful wedding ceremonies that touch the heart and awaken the human soul to God's presence in the Holy union of marriage.
My ministerial journey began at the Channel Islands Vineyard Church where I served as Youth Pastor from 1987 to 1989. In 1990 I was offered a position at Horizon Foursquare Church, Ventura, as a staff pastor responsible for teaching, training, and coordinating the Prayer Team Ministry and Home Group Leader Training. During these years I fed my hunger to know more about God and Jesus by attending The Kings Seminary, Life Pacific Bible College, and Fuller Theological Seminary, achieving an AA in Ministry, a BA in Theology, and ultimately becoming ordained and licensed as a Christian Minister in 1996. From there I allowed the Lord to develop and guide me on my path, first as a church growth advisor, and Associate Pastor and Worship Leader at Solid Rock Foursquare. One year later I took my first assignment as Senior Pastor at New Hope Foursquare Church and eventually started River of Life Foursquare Church. Throughout my journey I have had the privilege to serve as an Assistant Divisional Superintendent, Conference Speaker and guest Worship Leader. I truly believe the assignment God has given to me is to simply lead people into His presence through the spoken word, music, and art. It is here, in God’s presence, where people are changed forever.
Not only am I a Pastor, but also a teacher of the arts. I am deeply inspired by the heart of the Human Spirit and feel that a wedding ceremony is more than just a stoic expression of thee's and thou's. but rather designs through words the unique character and future laid out before each bride and groom. Your wedding day is an opportunity to tell your story to everyone gathered, your love story. With increasing pressure from our society, love that leads to marriage is an incredible gift to share with one another, but also an amazing story to tell. Your wedding day is one of life’s rare moments in your personal journey where you will reflect back upon the love story you share when life presents it's challenges and you are called to remember those two very meaningful words, "I do".
When not teaching or preaching, I am truly inspired by the love I have for my four beautiful daughters, the passion I have for my artwork, the peace I feel when surfing our beautiful California coastline (indeed the front row of God's chapel!), and spend much of my spare time enjoying the simpler things in life: Good food, a decadent piece of milk chocolate, and the sweet sounds of good ol' chunky blues...
I look forward to celebrating with you as you take the next step towards the most amazing adventure of your lives, a life of devotion, commitment, and love. I pray that the days between now and the blessing of your marriage be filled with love, light, and laughter!