Where experience and affordability converge, that's where you'll find Ernie Claeson. He's been licensed, ordained, and serving the Northwest since 2003, and he enjoys doing what he loves - helping people.
There's a reason why we here at EC Matrimony say "Beautiful ceremonies made affordable."
Whether traditional or contemporary, religious or modern, or something in between, Ernie takes the time to create ceremonies that are tailored to each couple's needs and desires by getting to know them throughout the planning stages.
Please visit EC Matrimony on the web for more details on my wedding services, and check out my biography here for more information on my speaking engagements.
When looking for an officiant, we had several options. We decided to meet with Ernie and get a feel for him and see if we clicked. We wanted our officiant to feel like an old friend, someone we could be 100% comfortable with. We were absolutely blown away after our consultation with Ernie. He took as much time as needed to learn details of our lives and what we wanted in our ceremony. The whole time, he took detailed notes. He helped, guided and made suggestions with anything we were unsure of. He was prompt on rehearsal day and guided us all through rehearsal. He was prompt the day of the wedding and reassuring to everyone. He maintained great communication from the time we first meet with him and all the way through to the wedding day. During the ceremony is when I really understood how detailed Ernie was. He told our love story perfectly. Our ceremony was tailored just for us. He picked up so many details from our consultation and pieced them together and delivered it beautifully. During the reception, we got many compliments from people saying they really liked Ernie.
Do yourselves a favor when looking for an officiant, hire Ernie. He will help you make this as easy and worry free as possible.
He’s the best! Saved us from feeling overwhelmed and stressed out from planning the ceremony. He was a big big help and answered all of our questions. He’s had many years of experience which made the whole process so much easier. He did a wonderful job officiating and we are so happy to have had him in our wedding planning team. Thank you so much, Ernie!!
Response from EC Matrimony:
Thank you Erika! It was a pleasure serving as your officiant!
I met Ernie through, now my wife, Courtney. On April 7th, we had Ernie officiate our wedding, and I now can't imagine having anyone else a part of our special day. He was so very helpful in many ways, more than I even knew he could be. He took what we wanted and made it better than we could of even dreamed! What an amazing person, I would recommend him every day if I could! Thank you Ernie!
Response from EC Matrimony:
Thank you! You guys are a great couple and I had fun!
Ernie is a Godsend! Our elopement was so last minute that I talked to Ernie for the first and only time 3 days before the day of the wedding! He asked me some simple questions, talked about the weather :) and then he ended the call saying that he would take it from there and not to stress. That phone call was such a blessing because I finally felt like I could breathe!
The most important part of a wedding is THE ACTUAL WEDDING! So much can get lost in the planning of everything else, but when you get down to it the words spoken to each other and by the officiant are what really matters. Ernie's words were perfect beyond anything we could have hoped for. They brought me to tears and made me smile the entire time. In the short time we were on the phone he must have had us all figured out because it was so wonderful and felt so personal.
All in all, I would recommend his services in a heartbeat to anyone and everyone! Thank you Ernie, for making our short and sweet ceremony one that I will never forget and will always cherish. You are wonderful and I hope the best for you and your family in all the years to come that God blesses us with!
Sincerely grateful,
Christi & Family
Response from EC Matrimony:
Thank you so much!!! It was an honor!
Loved him! He did an amazing job!! I read all the reviews, nothing but good things were said about him and they were right:) he always checked in on us and asked if I needed anything to just let him know. he showed up on time was very patient let us take pictures after the ceremony then we gave him the check! He was so nice! We did a butterfly release and he said something about it and the meaning and I was so impressed. Thank you Ernie for marrying us!
Response from EC Matrimony:
Thank you Heather for your kind words. It was fun to serve as your officiant.
Ernie was a great choice for our ceremony! My husband and I eloped in Portland from the bay area and he was super fast and easy to communicate with. He made our day super special and we are so glad we chose him to officiate.
Price Range: $150 and up
Gig Length: 10 - 80 minutes
Languages: English
In regards to wedding officiant, I have performed weddings for over 10 years. I have dozens upon dozens of reviews on my website, Facebook, and Thumbtack.
As for speaking engagements, I am an experienced speaker well-versed in Leadership, Motivational, and Business speaking. I have spoken to small, intimate groups up to groups of hundreds. I've spoken from business professionals to Junior High and High School groups.
You tell me what you want/desire and any theme, and I'll cater my speaking to your group.
My experience as a speaker started back in 2001 when I was an assistant youth pastor in the Portland area. As I honed my skill, I began speaking on a weekly basis. By 2004, I began being requested to speak at summer camps to youth (age range 11-18 years old), speaking at youth conferences, and leadership retreats.
As my full-time career with Wells Fargo, then Portland Trail Blazers, and now with Costco Wholesale, I've spoken to several groups including Toastmasters, non-profit groups, and leadership meetings.
I bring a casual but professional attitude with a splash of sense of humor (love to make people laugh). I bring this to my weddings, as well as speaking engagements.
I have no requirements
Microphone (if you want)
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