Chicago Wedding Minister Officiant Rev. Phil Landers of “I Do” Weddings, Ltd.

Compare Us — the 18 Advantages of Choosing Rev. Phil

Shares Your Love Story

Average Chicago Wedding Officiant:

Does a cookie-cutter ceremony — very similar to what they did last weekend.

Rev. Phil Landers of “I Do” Weddings, Ltd.:

Shares your love story at your wedding! That alone is guaranteed to make it personalized, romantic, interesting and fun! Everyone loves a story — especially yours on your wedding day. Rev. Phil is a master storyteller.

"I don't think it was really due to the fact that I was the bride, but I have never been to another ceremony that was so funny and sentimental at the same time. I usually kind of 'zone' out and I don't think that happened with any of our guests. I am sure that everyone will remember our story since you told it so well."

— Ali and Dan, Chicago History Museum, Chicago

“People were telling me ceremonies are usually boring, but you were so interesting and since the ceremony was about us, they actually listened!”

—Melissa & Ian, Café Le Cave, Des Plaines

Complete Script

Average Chicago Wedding Officiant:

Hope they get the names and details right.

Rev. Phil Landers:

You get a complete 18+ page order of ceremony ten days before your ceremony. It has everything that will happen and everything that will be said at your ceremony. It includes a detailed line-by-line processional order. You have time to make changes. Rev. Phil is the only officiant who will get you a complete script before your wedding. It takes him more time. But it is the only way for you to know, in advance, that the ceremony is organized just the way you want it to be.

“Rev Phil gives you a complete script of your wedding ceremony and allows you to make any changes you wish. To be honest, you won't really need to have him change anything....everything is so well thought out, even down to the cues for the musicians we had. I didn't have to worry about telling the musicians when to play and when to not, he took care of it all!! That was one really huge headache off my shoulders. The musicians loved it as well!!”

— Jennifer & Greg, Allerton Hotel, Chicago
from a WeddingWire review

Available for Your Wedding

Average Chicago Wedding Officiant:

If they are already booked for your wedding date and time, you’re out of luck.

Rev. Phil:

If he is already booked for your wedding date and time, he will refer you to a member of his team — real ministers who do weddings in his style, for he trained them. Since he knows their calendar, he will only refer you if they are available for your wedding.

Your search for a wedding officiant who is available for your date and time is over!

Or call him at

Time at Planning Meeting

Average Chicago Wedding Officiant:

Will meet with you for an hour. Limited choices about the ceremony — they do not have the time to offer more.

You do not know how to plan a wedding. As a full-time wedding minister, he does — and will share all of his ideas and experiences with you.

Rev. Phil Landers:

Will meet with you for 3 hours. He takes the time to really get to know you and your desires. What happens during that time? You get to know each other, plan out your ceremony in great detail, he gives you options and ideas, he draws out your love story and then shares the first draft of what your love story will sound like! You will laugh as he tells it for Rev. Phil is a master storyteller.

“After the first meeting but long before their wedding, a couple e-mailed Rev. Phil, "I wasn't sure what to expect when meeting with you, but I felt like you really treated us great. We weren’t just another engaged couple; you treated us as individuals. Meeting with you was the first step to planning our wedding and after doing so, I finally felt like it was all real!"

— Ann and Trevor, The Seville, Streamwood

"The ceremony was absolutely perfect. You were great to work with and we really felt like you took the time to get to know us too."

— Kara and Kyle, Pazzo's at 311, Chicago

Time at Rehearsal

Average Chicago Wedding Officiant:

Will spend 30 minutes to lead a rehearsal, if they do one at all.

Rev. Phil:

He will spend one hour to lead the rehearsal. It is ironic — for the wedding ceremony is only 30 minutes long. It does take an hour to do it thoroughly and completely. Isn’t that what you want?

"You were so helpful during the rehearsal and that let everything run smoothly the next day."

— Rosey and Chris, Century Memorial Chapel, Naperville

"Thank you for making the ceremony planning and rehearsal so fun."

— Beth and Todd, Mission Hills Country Club, Northbrook

Masters Degree + Experience

Average Chicago Wedding Officiant:

Likely has limited credentials or degrees. It is a weekend hobby.

Rev. Phil:

Is a real minister with a Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL in 1990. He has been a pastor previously but for the last six years is a full-time wedding minister. He is a third generation minister. He has been married for 25 years.

In the Media

Average Chicago Wedding Officiant:

Not featured in the media.

Rev. Phil:

He has been featured on TV (FOX32, CBS2 and ABC7 news), in print (Chicago Tribune & Chicago Style Weddings) and on the radio (WBBM-AM and WGN-AM)! Click on any of the links to see the story. The funniest is FOX32 news.

Video

Average Chicago Wedding Officiant:

No video. Can’t see them in action.

Rev. Phil:

Has videos of Rev. Phil sharing couples’ stories! He is the only officiant with videos on his web site. See him in action!

Raves & Reviews

Average Chicago Wedding Officiant:

Post a handful of thank you’s online.

Rev. Phil:

Has over 100 raves & review on his web site — 14 on this page, 80+ on the raves & reviews page and more scattered around the web site. There is even a recommendation from a resort. Anyone can post a few raves & reviews. After reading 70, 80, 90 you get the idea that this is really what Rev. Phil is like.

Read the

reviews that won Rev. Phil the Brides Choice Award from WeddingWire.com

References

Average Chicago Wedding Officiant:

No references given.

Rev. Phil:

Rev. Phil would be glad to give you the names and phone numbers of well over a dozen brides and grooms for you to call! Ask them about Rev. Phil, how he was to work with, if he was worth it and any other questions you have.

Or call him at

Speaking Voice

Average Chicago Wedding Officiant:

Hope their speaking voice is OK.

Rev. Phil:

Is often told that he has a voice for radio. (He thinks he has the face for it, too :>) Listen to his voice when watching videos of Rev. Phil sharing couples’ stories.

Your Dream Wedding

Average Chicago Wedding Officiant:

Same-as-everyone-else’s ceremony.

Rev. Phil:

Has the experience and passion to help you create the wedding you have always dreamed of!

“Reverend Phil is there to make sure you have the ceremony you want — the wedding you always dreamed of. He believes the day is yours — not his. He makes sure the day is yours — just how you always imagined.”

Brittani and James, Danada House, Wheaton
from aWeddingWire review

“Our wedding was more than we ever could have dreamed it would be. You had a huge part in it all!”

— Shauna & Dave, Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace

How Often You Have to Tell Your Love Story

Average Chicago Wedding Officiant:

Since your love story is not shared at your wedding, you will be asked repeatedly at your reception, “So, how did he propose?”

Rev. Phil:

Shares your love story — the full version — once. So, at your reception, no one will ask you “How did he propose?” Everyone just heard it!

If there are humorous elements — and everyone has them — then there will be laughter at your wedding. That’s appropriate for weddings ought to be joyful. It relieves the stress and tension of the day.

Or call him at

Wedding Coordinator

Average Chicago Wedding Officiant:

Show up to do wedding.

Rev. Phil:

Becomes the wedding coordinator for the ceremony — if you don’t have one. When he arrives, he makes sure all elements for the ceremony — unity candles or sand, flowers for moms, etc. — are out and arranged artistically. Makes sure the chairs do not interfere with the processional (for example, makes sure the aisle is wide enough for 3 people to walk down if bride coming down aisle with two dads). He lines everyone up, gives final reminders and helps to get the ceremony started on time (so that the reception is not delayed). He will help ensure that the little details of the ceremony are just right.

Coordinates with Other Vendors

Average Chicago Wedding Officiant:

Likely does not coordinate with the other vendors. They have to improvise as the ceremony is happening.

Rev. Phil:

He e-mails the final script to the person responsible for playing the music — the DJ or lead musician. That way they know exactly when to play. No gaps, no questions.

Will talk with photographer(s) and videographer(s) so they know what is happening during the ceremony. He will spend time at the rehearsal coaching you so that your photos turn out well. For example, when lighting a candle, hold it for 3 seconds. Otherwise, the photographer may miss the shot while focusing.

By coordinating the other wedding pro’s, they end up working together as a team. Only the officiant, as the leader, can do this. As a full-time wedding minister, Rev. Phil sees what needs to be done and makes the effort.

Three Levels of Service — and Prices

Average Chicago Wedding Officiant:

One option, one price.

Rev. Phil:

Three different options at three different price ranges! Select the one that best fits your needs and budget.

What has been described above — sharing your love story at your wedding, 3 hour meeting, 1 hour rehearsal, etc. — is for the top-of-the-line platinum ceremony.

More than your budget? No problem. Rev. Phil has two other options — the mid-level gold ceremony and the value-priced silver ceremony. Review the chart on the prices page to see the differences.

No matter what your budget is, Rev. Phil has a ceremony for you! You do not have to get someone with little experience or credentials to get a less expensive ceremony.

How Many Payments

Average Chicago Wedding Officiant:

Limited payment options.

Rev. Phil:

Rev. Phil is quite flexible. He can stretch it out to 3 or even 4 payments. Typically, the last payment is due 60 days before your wedding — that is the earliest date you can get your marriage license.

Method of Paying

Average Chicago Wedding Officiant:

Only takes cash or check. Check is written out to the person — for it is their side job.

Rev. Phil:

Prefers checks but takes credit cards via Google Checkout.

Payment is made to “I Do” Weddings, Ltd. It is a registered business with the state of Illinois. He is the only officiant with an actual business.

To recap, among all Chicago area wedding officiants only Rev. Phil:

will show you videos of him telling couples’ stories (so you can see him in action)
will get you a complete script (17+ pages, ten days before your ceremony)
will spend 3 hours to plan out your ceremony (and draw out your love story)
has 100 raves & reviews posted online and can give you more than a dozen references to call
accepts credit cards (via Google Checkout)
is a registered business with the state of Illinois (not a weekend hobby)

Or call him at


	Before The Ceremony