Questions people actually ask.

Yes. Ordained through the Universal Life Church — September 18, 2024. I'd rather say it plainly than have you wonder — you should know exactly who's standing up there with you. Worship leadership experience includes: Living Word Bible Church (Mesa & Scottsdale, Arizona), Solid Foundation Bible Church (Queen Creek & Apache Junction, Arizona) and Freedom Life Church (Cedar Park, Texas). Those churches are background, not current affiliations, and nothing about them endorses me or any ceremony.

The Universal Life Church. That's where the ordination came from — nothing more. It doesn't represent me, endorse my work, or speak for the ceremonies we build together.

September 18, 2024 — ordination through the Universal Life Church. I list the date for transparency rather than leading with it. If you want the longer version of how I got here, ask when we talk and I'll give it to you straight.

Weddings of every kind: Christian, spiritual, secular, interfaith, traditional, unconventional and fully customized — plus elopements, micro weddings, vow renewals and commitment ceremonies. LGBTQ+ couples are welcome in every one of them. Nothing comes off a shelf, because each ceremony is built from the two of you and your story. Wedding ceremonies run through three packages — The “I Do” ($325) · The Story ($475) · The Full Experience ($650) — and the difference between them is how much customization and preparation you want. Elopements and micro weddings: starting at $250.

Yes. Whether it's an individual baptism or an entire family stepping into the water together, the ceremony can be created around the meaning behind the moment. Baptisms are also long-standing background for me — 10+ years of worship leadership, public speaking, storytelling, and leading and assisting in baptisms including freshwater and saltwater settings.

Yes — freshwater and saltwater both. The baptisms I've led or assisted with have happened in both kinds of water, and where the water is matters to the moment. If you have a particular stretch of river, lake or coastline in mind, tell me; if you don't yet, that's one of the things we'll work out together.

Yes. A baptism doesn't have to happen one person at a time. A whole family can be baptized together, or a family can gather around one person — either way, the ceremony is shaped around what the moment means to each of you, with room for the faith you share and the reason you're doing this now.

A release ceremony creates intentional space to acknowledge what you're leaving behind and recognize the beginning of a new chapter. People come to one after a relationship ends, a job or a season of life closes, a move takes them somewhere new, or something they've carried for years is finally ready to be set down. It isn't therapy, and it doesn't promise to take anything away — it marks the ending out loud, with the people you choose, so you can step into what comes next.

Whatever the person living through it needs to mark: the end of a relationship, leaving a job or a career, retirement, a move, becoming a parent, a milestone birthday, a chapter closing or one just beginning. Life-transition ceremonies and personal transition rituals sit alongside release, letting-go and new-beginning ceremonies, and none of them needs a name from a list to be worth marking. Tell me what's changing and we'll build the ceremony around that.

Yes. A memorial ceremony, a celebration of life, or a family remembrance shaped around the stories, the people and the details that made that person who they were. Measured and unhurried, with room for faith, for laughter, and for silence. Memorial ceremonies, celebrations of life, family remembrance, personalized remembrance — and if the person you're honoring had a particular song, scripture, toast or tradition, we build the ceremony around those rather than around a template.

Yes — here it's the default rather than an upgrade. Not every meaningful moment fits neatly into a category. Tell me what you're trying to celebrate, honor, release, remember, or begin. We'll figure out what the ceremony should look like together. Every ceremony starts from your story, so how far we take the customization is entirely up to you.

Yes. Scripture, prayer, a blessing, communion, traditional vows—we can include as much or as little as fits you. Faith can be part of your ceremony without taking over your ceremony.

Yes, and gladly. If religion isn't part of your life, your ceremony won't pretend otherwise. It gets built from your story, your values and the promises you're making.

Both. A spiritual ceremony can hold real meaning without doctrine attached to it. An interfaith ceremony makes room for two traditions at once. Tell me what matters to each of you and we'll build around it.

Absolutely, without hesitation. Your names, your pronouns, your story, your families—honored exactly as they are.

Yes, as much as you want, placed exactly where you want it. Bring the passages, prayers and blessings that mean something to you and we'll find the right spot for them.

Yes. Humor is part of being human, and a room full of people who love you can take a joke. We just won't let it turn into a comedy routine. Take the moment seriously, don't take yourself too seriously.

Yes. Some couples want a full draft to work from; others want a sounding board and a second pair of eyes. Either way, the goal is words that still sound like you when you say them out loud. Vow guidance is written into all three wedding packages, and The Story and The Full Experience go further with it — a dedicated session, personalized storytelling, and revisions.

An in-person rehearsal is included with The Full Experience ($650). The Story includes rehearsal guidance by phone/video as needed. If you'd like an additional in-person rehearsal beyond what your package covers, it's available as an add-on at $150.

Yes. Rev. Jonathan Arnold serves Austin, Central Texas, and the Texas Hill Country, with travel available for ceremonies outside the standard service area. Ceremonies outside the included service area may require an additional travel fee based on location, distance, time, and logistics. The exact cost will be provided before booking. Tell me where the ceremony is when you reach out, and you'll have the number in hand before you commit to anything.

Some travel is included, and some isn't. Travel within the included Austin-area service area is included in applicable packages. When overnight travel is required, the client is responsible for reasonable travel and lodging expenses in addition to the ceremony/service fee. That can include airfare when required, lodging, rental car or necessary ground transportation, parking, tolls, other necessary travel expenses. All anticipated travel and lodging costs must be disclosed and approved before booking is finalized. Destination/custom ceremonies receive a custom quote.

Yes. The Ceremony Consultation is $75 for 60 minutes, virtual or by phone, and it's for anyone who isn't sure what kind of ceremony they need yet. We talk through your story, what you're celebrating, honoring, releasing, beginning or remembering, and what kind of ceremony might fit. Nothing about it obligates you to book.

Your $75 consultation fee is credited in full toward Rev. Jonathan Arnold's ceremony/service fee when you book a ceremony within 30 days of the consultation. The consultation credit applies only to Rev. Jonathan Arnold's ceremony/service fee. It does not apply to travel fees, rush or last-minute fees, venue fees, permits, third-party services, or other additional expenses.

The consultation fee is non-refundable once the consultation has taken place. If you decide not to book a ceremony, there is no additional obligation.

ASL interpretation is available by advance arrangement. Request it through the inquiry form and Rev. Jonathan will arrange interpretation ahead of your ceremony.

There's no rule that fits every date. Booking as early as you can is wise — it gives us room to build the ceremony properly instead of rushing the parts that matter. That said, don't assume it's too late: tell me your date and I'll tell you honestly whether it's open. A date is only held once we've agreed on it, and sending the inquiry form doesn't reserve anything.

Sometimes, yes — subject to availability. Bookings within 14 days of the ceremony carry the published last-minute fee: +$100, subject to availability. If your date is close, reach out and I'll tell you right away whether it's open. Nothing is reserved until we've agreed on it.

Yes, and it can be one of the most meaningful parts of the whole thing. A moment of remembrance, a reserved seat, a candle, a line spoken in their honor—we'll find a way that feels right rather than heavy. Cultural rituals, family customs, a song, a reading, a unity element, a tradition from either side of the family—bring them along and I'll help you fit them in so they land the way they should.

Ceremonies are live, so small things happen: a ring gets dropped, the wind takes a reading, someone misses their cue. I'll keep the room steady and keep things moving, and quietly steer us back on track. If something bigger comes up—weather, a late arrival, a change of plan—I'll tell you what's happening, walk you through the options, and we'll decide together. You won't be left guessing what's going on.

The license is yours to obtain as a couple—it isn't something I can get for you. Requirements are set by the county where you get it: the fee, any waiting period and how long it stays valid all vary from county to county, and the county clerk's office has the final word. So check with the clerk directly, and check early. I can assist with marriage paperwork and the signing side where it's legally appropriate; I can't tell you what your county requires, and nothing here is legal advice.