Richard F. Moreno
Ordained Minister in Van Nuys, California
Why did you originally become an ordained minister online?
If you’re looking for a traditional ceremony, a Star Wars inspired Jedi wedding, or even a playful “shotgun wedding,” I may be the minister you’re looking for!
I originally became an ordained minister because I have always been passionate about bringing people together, serving my community, and making a positive difference in people’s lives. Becoming a minister felt like a natural extension of that commitment, and it gave me another meaningful way to celebrate love, family, and new beginnings.
For the Love of Love
I believe in the power of love, commitment, and partnership. Helping a couple begin the next chapter of their lives and being trusted to share such an important moment is both an honor and incredibly fulfilling. Besides, becoming a minister is also a pretty good way to receive more wedding invitations!
Variety and Adventure
My career in security, safety, and professional training has always been diverse and challenging. Adding ordained minister to my resume/CV seemed like a natural extension of my commitment to serving others. One day, I may be conducting professional training, and the next, I may be standing before a couple and saying, “By the power vested in me by the internet…” It may be the ultimate multitasking assignment.
Creating Joy and Lasting Memories
There is something truly special about seeing the joy on a couple’s faces when they say, “I do.” Knowing that I helped create a ceremony reflecting their personalities, beliefs, values, and sense of humor makes the experience even more meaningful.
Making Ceremonies Personal
A wedding ceremony should feel like it belongs to the couple and not like it was copied from a generic script. Whether you want something traditional, spiritual, nonreligious, interfaith, humorous, Jedi-inspired, or completely unconventional, I will work with you to create a ceremony that tells your story!
Embracing New Opportunities
Life presents us with unexpected opportunities, and sometimes we simply have to take the plunge. Becoming an ordained minister allowed me to expand my horizons, serve people in a new capacity, and help couples create meaningful memories that will last a lifetime.
So, whether you’re planning an elegant traditional wedding, a Star Wars–inspired Jedi ceremony, a lighthearted “shotgun wedding,” or a unique celebration at a shooting range, I am ordained, prepared, and ready to help make your special day truly unforgettable.
May the love and the Force be with you!
Where are you from?
The Bronx New York
What do you hope to achieve with your online ordination?
With my ordination, I hope to achieve several goals:
Spiritual Guidance and Support: Provide spiritual guidance and support to individuals and communities, helping them navigate life's challenges and celebrate its joys.
Officiating Ceremonies: Officiate weddings, funerals, and other significant life events, offering personalized and meaningful ceremonies that reflect the beliefs and wishes of those involved.
Community Building: Foster a sense of community and connection among people from diverse backgrounds, creating inclusive spaces for shared spiritual growth and understanding.
Continual Learning: Deepen my own spiritual knowledge and understanding, staying committed to continual learning and personal growth in my faith and spiritual practices.
Service and Outreach: Engage in service and outreach activities, supporting charitable causes and contributing positively to society through acts of compassion and kindness.
Personal Fulfillment: Achieve a sense of personal fulfillment by aligning my actions with my spiritual beliefs and values, living a life of purpose and service.
Religious Affiliations
Ahmadiyya, Aladura, Amish, Anglicanism, Asatru, Assemblies of God, Atheism, Baha'i Faith, Baptists, Bon, Buddhism, Candomble, Cao Dai, Cathari, Catholicism, Charismatic movement, Chinese Religion, Christadelphians, Christian Science, Christianity, Church of God, Church of God in Christ, Church of Satan, Confucianism, Conservative Judaism, Deism, Donatism, Dragon Rouge, Druidism, Eastern Orthodox Church, Eckankar, ELCA, Epicureanism, Evangelicalism, Falun Gong, Foursquare Church, Gnosticism, Greek Religion, Hare Krishna, Hasidism, Hellenic Reconstructionism, Hinduism, Illuminati, Intelligent Design, Islam, Jainism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Judaism, Kabbalah, Kemetic Reconstructionism, Kopimi, Lutheranism, Mahayana Buddhism, Mayan Religion, Methodism, Mithraism, Latter Day Saints, Nation of Islam, Neopaganism, Neoplatonism, New Age, New Thought, Nichiren, Norse Religion, Olmec Religion, Oneness Pentecostalism, Orthodox Judaism, Pentecostalism, Presbyterianism, Priory of Sion, Protestantism, Pure Land Buddhism, Quakers, Rastafarianism, Reform Judaism, Rinzai Zen Buddhism, Roman Religion, Satanism, Scientology, Seventh-Day Adventism, Shaivism, Shi'a Islam, Shinto, Sikhism, Soto Zen Buddhism, Spiritualism, Stoicism, Sufism, Sunni Islam, Taoism, Tendai Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Typhonian Order, Umbanda, Unification Church, Unitarian Universalism, Universal Life Church, Vaishnavism, Vajrayana Buddhism, Vedanta, Vineyard Churches, Voodoo, Wicca, Worldwide Church of God, Yezidi, Zen, Zionism, Zoroastrianism, Other, None
Additional Information
I am an ordained Universal Life Church minister whose personal faith is grounded in God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the teachings of the Bible. Although I do not identify with a particular denomination, I believe that faith, fellowship, and the presence of God are not limited to a particular building or religious institution.
My ministry is founded on compassion, understanding, inclusivity, and respect for the beliefs and traditions of others. I welcome people from all walks of life, including those who are religious, spiritual, interfaith, culturally connected to a faith, or nonreligious.
Every person and couple has a unique story and spiritual journey. My responsibility as a minister is to listen, understand, and create ceremonies that genuinely reflect their beliefs, values, traditions, personalities, and vision. Whether a ceremony is traditional, faith-based, interfaith, spiritual, secular, or completely unconventional, everyone I serve will be treated with dignity, respect, and an open heart.
What do you think makes your ceremonies special as a Van Nuys, CA wedding officiant?
As a wedding officiant, my ceremonies are special because I take the time to get to know the couple and their unique love story, allowing me to craft a deeply personalized and meaningful ceremony. I ensure inclusivity and respect for the couple's cultural, religious, or non-religious beliefs, creating a welcoming atmosphere for all attendees. With meticulous attention to detail, I ensure the ceremony runs smoothly and beautifully. My warm, compassionate, and engaging approach fosters genuine connections with the couple and their guests. I am flexible and open to incorporating unique elements or traditions that are important to the couple. My high level of professionalism ensures all legal requirements are met and the ceremony is conducted with respect and care. Additionally, I maintain a calm and reassuring presence, helping to ease any nerves and allowing the couple to fully enjoy their special moment. These qualities combined make my wedding ceremonies unforgettable for the couple and cherished by their family and friends.
Are there particular areas near you where you prefer to travel or have special experience?
I am based in Southern California and am available to perform ceremonies throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, including the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley, and surrounding communities. I am also available for ceremonies in Ventura, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties, as well as Las Vegas, Nevada.
One of my specialties is creating personalized Star Wars–inspired Jedi wedding ceremonies for couples who want their love story celebrated in a truly unforgettable way. These ceremonies can range from elegant and subtly inspired to a complete immersive experience worthy of a galaxy far, far away.
Depending on the couple’s vision, a Jedi-inspired ceremony may include:
- A dramatic Jedi entrance for the wedding party and officiant
- Ceremonial robes, themed attire, and custom-designed lightsaber hilts
- A lightsaber unity ceremony symbolizing two lives joining as one
- Personalized vows inspired by courage, loyalty, balance, hope, and the Force
- Carefully selected Star Wars references woven naturally into the ceremony
- Themed readings, music, decorations, and audience participation
- A formal proclamation uniting the couple as partners in life and throughout the galaxy
- A memorable lightsaber send-off following the ceremony
Every ceremony is customized around the couple. It can be romantic and heartfelt, humorous and entertaining, or a balanced combination of both. The goal is not simply to quote the movies—it is to create a genuine wedding ceremony that honors the couple’s commitment while capturing the wonder, adventure, and timeless storytelling that brought them together.
I am also comfortable performing traditional, interfaith, spiritual, secular, “shotgun,” and other unconventional ceremonies at wedding venues, private residences, parks, beaches, outdoor locations, shooting ranges, and themed-event spaces.
Whether you are planning a Southern California ceremony, a Las Vegas wedding, or a destination celebration, I am ready to help create an experience that feels personal, meaningful, and uniquely yours.
May love—and the Force—be with you.
Star Wars–inspired ceremonies are independently created fan celebrations and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Lucasfilm Ltd. or The Walt Disney Company. Travel outside my immediate service area will require advance scheduling and additional travel fees.
Types of Service Offered
Marriages, Same-Sex Marriages, Renewal of Vows, Handfastings, Baptisms, Funerals, Christenings, House Blessings, Exorcisms, Spiritual Healing, Reiki Healing, Premarital Counseling, General Ministry, Spiritual Guidance
Additional Information
As a minister, I offer a range of services beyond officiating weddings. I provide premarital counseling to help couples build a strong foundation, officiate vow renewal ceremonies, and conduct compassionate funeral and memorial services. I perform baptisms and naming ceremonies, welcoming new members into the faith or community. I offer spiritual guidance and counseling to individuals seeking support in their spiritual journey. I lead community and group services, such as prayer gatherings and meditation sessions, fostering connection and shared growth. I create custom ceremonies for special occasions and conduct workshops and educational sessions on various spiritual and personal development topics. Each service is provided with care, respect, and dedication, ensuring meaningful and inclusive experiences aligned with the values and beliefs of those I serve.
