Kimber Lee Wilkes,Ph.D,
a Non-Denominational minister for over 20 years, seems to
fit everybody’s idea of the quintessential Minister.
Her approach to every ceremony is calm and with dignity. As
a young girl, she knew she wanted to "participate in
people’s lives in a profound way." Wisely, she followed
the yearnings of her youthful heart and graduated seminary
school… one of only two women to enter class and be ordained
as a minister. She went on and obtained her Master’s
degree and Ph.D. in Theology. Her ministerial service, Elegant
Weddings, stems from her wish "to make the ceremony so
special that the guests feel that the wedding and celebration
really reflect the couple and they leave with a sense that
I had known the couple for most of their lives."
The
first thing you notice when
talking to Dr. Wilkes by phone is her
wonderfully warm speaking voice. The
second thing you notice is that her
gentle humor, knowledge of weddings and
honesty puts you immediately at ease. And
when you meet her in person that comfort
level grows. She is a master at creating
very personalized ceremonies. She
involves the audience by weaving stories
from the couple’s lives throughout
the service and achieves, "a
wonderful balance of humor and spiritual
continuity."
What Kimber Lee strives to do is to create a
ceremony in which guests feel a part of the
wedding celebration.
She achieves this intimacy in subtle ways. She
will position the bride and groom facing each
other instead of facing her, so that the ceremony
is opened up to the guests. She also develops
eye contact with everyone in the congregation.
After 20 years of performing weddings,
over 98 percent of Kimber Lee’s couples are
still married. Now it could just be
a coincidence, but there is a possibility that
if she pronounces you husband and wife, you
will be "happily married" forever… because she
ties double knots!
Regional Area:
Southern California Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego/Ventura and Santa
Barbara Counties
