Featured

Nikolina Sent on 11/29/2020

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

A blessing! More than we could ask for!

I don’t even know where to begin! Rev. Michael is such an amazing person, so inspirational and nurturing. You can truly tell that this is his calling. My husband and I purchased the package with the marriage coaching sessions and wow! First off, Rev. Michael got us to think and connect on a completely different level... i recommend this to everyone. Not only was it so much fun, but we feel it brought us even closer. Now the ceremony... Wow. We had to reschedule due to COVID and he made it so easy and was so understanding. He made the drafting of the ceremony so simple and seamless. We knew nothing about weddings and nothing about a ceremony. We got married yesterday and our ceremony was perfect. THE MOST perfect. I am bulgarian and my husband is serbian and we had a very diverse crowd. They were all amazed and couldn’t stop raving about how great the ceremony was. This was even after us not doing a traditional wedding from our cultures. Everyone said we made the right choice after Rev Michael delivered such a beautiful ceremony. He really does feel like family and it’s so amazing to have had someone like this a part of our day.

Ashley Sent on 03/27/2022

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Highly recommend!!

Best officiant we could have asked for!!! He did a fantastic job!! We had a interfaith wedding and he worked with us to give us exactly what we wanted for our ceremony. Very experienced and made the whole process super easy! So happy we had him as our officiant. Would DEFINITELY recommend him!!!

Samantha Sent on 11/21/2021

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Absolutely amazing! Everything you would want!

We started our search for a Wedding Officiant based on experiences that we had at other weddings we attended while engaged. We had been to a few weddings where there was no energy at the ceremony simply due to a dry, stale, and frankly, boring Officiant.

Michael is none of the above. As soon as we spoke with him, we knew that he was the Officiant that we wanted. He is charismatic, thorough, and last but certainly not least, he is entertaining. Michael had multiple calls with us. During these calls not only did he prepare for the ceremony but he also got to know us. He worked with all of our vendors to make sure that everything was perfect the day of, and made the experience as easy as possible for us.

On our wedding day, he spoke with passion, charisma, and a stage voice that I think everyone would want from their Wedding Officiant. He took discussions that he had with us, both on what we wanted and about each other, and weaved them throughout the ceremony in a way that was natural and powerful.

We received so many compliments on our wedding, in particular, compliments around the ceremony and how it was conducted. Our family joked that the way he conducted the ceremony made them want to go back to church- he was that good! Thank you so much Michael for making our big day so special!

Yna G. Sent on 11/20/2021

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing officiant and incredible coach/support

We could not have asked for a better officiant. Rev. Michael was incredible from our very first meeting and was dynamite during the ceremony. He's such a wonderful, caring person and the things we learned from him are priceless. We made the right decision to undergo the counseling prior to the wedding and we feel that all the sessions we had is helping us to have a happy and fulfilling married life. We got so many compliments about Rev. Michael and our ceremony because everyone noticed how tailor-made every word was! It was important to us for the ceremony to feel genuine and heartfelt and Rev. Michael made it absolutely perfect. We love Rev. Michael and we are blessed to have had him officiate our wedding.

Taylor Sent on 05/28/2021

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Rev. Michael is the best!!

We can’t recommend Rev. Michael enough!! We did the premarital counseling sessions with him and we are SO happy we did. Rev. Michael was warm and brought humor to our sessions, making us relax and really get the most out of our sessions. Having this time with Rev. Michael also made our ceremony more personalized to our relationship. We absolutely loved our ceremony (both of them 😂 we had a virtual Covid ceremony that he was SO accommodating for!) and our friends and family all spoke very highly of him. He honestly feels like family and we will likely continue sessions in the future!

Yeilem Sent on 01/20/2021

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful Soul!

Although we weren’t able to book Michael for our special day, his beautiful attention and care alone deserves a review. We fell in love with Michael instantly, he is a genuine and kind soul and really listens to the couples he meets with. He has great presentation and makes a deliberate effort to customize the experience. We felt that he cared about our marriage and not just the ceremony.

Alicia Sent on 04/30/2020

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Taking the Leap

Reverend DeArruda was so amazing through our whole process. We opted for the marriage coaching which was very helpful. I was a little skeptical, but I was so happy that we choose to talk the time to do the coaching sessions. There are various options but we did 4 sessions before the wedding.

Our first meeting was easy over Zoom, before Zoom became people's primary method of communication and it was so great and made us confident that we would be a good fit.

Over the many hours talking with the reverend, we really got to know each other better and made for a much more personal ceremony experience. Everyone told us how thoughtful and touching the ceremony was.

Reverend DeArruda was so great and we would highly recommend him to everyone.

Bridgett Sent on 03/19/2020

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Awesome experience!

Having DeArruda Weddings + Marriage was the best decision we ever made!! We enjoyed each and every coaching session we had and it really helped us prep for our marriage and our ceremony. With the guidance and tips we felt more comfortable at our ceremony and we got a better understanding with certain things. We felt we had a friend to confide in during the process of our engagement and are SO happy we made this decision! Thank you Michael!!

Carrie Sent on 02/15/2020

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Best choice for a wedding — and lifelong marriage support

We wholeheartedly recommend Michael as a wedding officiant and partner who will strengthen your lifelong marriage! Since we’re out of state, my dad initially joked about us getting a “rent-a-minister” — but after meeting him, he showed overwhelming approval of this classy, professional minister who facilitated a perfect wedding. Michael’s “create your ceremony” enabled personal customization of our wedding. After sending us the overall script, he used Zoom (web conference) to walk us step-by-step through the ceremony since we opted out of a rehearsal. We’re a military couple, so we appreciated his organization and the digital rehearsal so we knew what to expect. He even impressed the venue and other vendors through his own coordination with them before and during the ceremony. The synchronization ensured guests and other vendors knew where to be and what to do at the right times, enabling smooth transitions from guest arrival through dinner. He demonstrated such an easy ability to connect with others from multiple cultures. It seems uncommon that guests would give raving reviews about an officiant, but ours were so impressed with his professional demeanor, articulate speech, and sense of humor they kept complimenting him. “It feels like he actually knows you two,” they commented — and he does.

After reading such positive reviews about the coaching sessions and wanting to start our marriage on a strong foundation, we opted for the Luxe package. We weren’t sure what to expect or say, but he provided tools to guide the sessions and help us meaningfully discuss topics affecting our relationship. He carefully listened to our responses and asked questions to go even deeper. His intelligence, warmth, and thoughtfulness keep our minds active and hearts safe. Michael genuinely cares about couples and successful relationships, constantly encourages us, and refrains from judgement. We have enjoyed his pre-martial coaching sessions so much we decided to continue post-marital coaching sessions with him for another 2.5 years, so we’re also thankful he’s very adept with modern technology.

We credit discovering him to my sister-in-law who conducted comprehensive research for her own wedding and identified him as the top minister in the region, and we absolutely recommend him too!

+2 photos

Rebecca Sent on 02/03/2020

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Wonderful!

Rev. DeArruda was super easy to work with. We were planning everything from out of state, so we used video conferencing to plan the ceremony. He made it the smoothest process, and even met with us when we arrived in town the week of our wedding. I am so happy we used Rev. DeArruda, would definitely recommend his services!!

Courtney Sent on 06/10/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Perfection

If you want the best, then you go with him! He is so punctual and classy.

Sarah Sent on 05/26/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Best decision ever!

WOW! We couldn't have been happier with our decision in choosing DeArruda Weddings to be such a BIG part of our BIG day! Micheal was so kind & truly has a passion for what he does & you can tell this by the second you speak with him! Our family & friends kept complimenting our ceremony saying how personalized & romantic it was! We couldn't have agreed more, it was everything we were hoping for & more! He made sure our wedding party was doing exactly what they were suppose to be doing at all times! haha! You will not regret going with this vendor for your wedding day!

Lisa Sent on 05/08/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Michael is so wonderful!

Michael was amazing from start to finish. He was extremely thorough while creating the perfect ceremony for us. He is so warm and welcoming he felt like family. At rehearsal he was even helpful getting everyone to the right place at the ceremony location. The day of the wedding he was such a comfort to me! He assured me everything would go smoothly, which it did. He is also very funny! He made us laugh and be at ease. I can’t say enough about how happy I am with his services. Thank you!

Amanda Sent on 05/03/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Exceeded Our Expectations!

Rev. Michael performed the most beautiful ceremony for my husband and I! He was incredibly professional and very flexible in terms of meeting with us to plan our ceremony, as well as with rehearsal times, and was willing to travel to our area to do so. He not only made us feel confident that everything relating to the ceremony was taken care of, but he also coordinated with our other vendors to ensure everyone worked together seamlessly, which took all of the pressure off of us. He worked together with us to craft a ceremony that fit both of our personalities and beliefs. He also truly took the time to get to know us and our story, and has such a warm and kind demeanor, it was like he'd known us for years. He was extremely responsive and was such a pleasure to work with! We are so grateful to have had Rev. Michael with us on our special day, and I would recommend him to anyone! He is a beautiful speaker and a truly lovely man!

Debbie Sent on 04/26/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Exceptional from planning through the big event.

Michael was the perfect fit for our wedding, and he knows how to provide a personal touch to the event. He won us over with his personable demeanor and his shared desire to make the event special for us and our guests.

Vanessa Sent on 04/25/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Best officiant ever!

My husband and I adore Michael! We found him online after deciding on a destination wedding on Anna Maria Island. I inquired for more info on his website and he contacted me by phone and we set up a video conference!
As soon as we starting chatting with Michael, my husband and I knew we had to have him officiate our wedding. He has a warm and inviting presence and a great sense of humor!
We purchased the package that included pre-marital coaching and the officiating of our wedding (with rehearsal included). I thought the package was super reasonably priced compared to other officiants. We LOVED the pre-martial coaching. He really took the time to get to know both of us and our story. We video chatted with him 4 times and did one session at his home office while we were in town! It wasn’t like a counseling session (which we did not want). It was more like getting to know each other, our strengths/weaknesses, and our families!
During the 8 months leading up to the wedding, we spoke with him via email almost every week. We were able to totally customize our wedding ceremony- it could be as religious as we wanted or not and we were able to literally write out exactly what we wanted him to say! He helped with the timeline of the wedding and with writing our vows also!
When the wedding weekend came everything ran super smooth! He coordinated our entire rehearsal, showed up early, and was there to walk everyone through the day of the wedding. He even coordinated with our violinist and DJ to ensure that the sound quality from him mic was perfect (we were on the beach and it was windy). When our wedding day came he was a very calming presence for us and our families. He was early, dressed appropriate, and officiated the ceremony perfectly!! Not to mention his voice is PERFECT for officiating! Afterwards he signed the marriage certificate and submitted all the paperwork for us!!
He was truly one of the best parts of our wedding day and I don’t think the day would have ran as smoothly if we didn’t have him. All of our guests loved him and his message during our ceremony!! Would definitely recommend.

Brandy Sent on 04/21/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Can't Wait for the Big Day

I spent forever trying to find an officiant that provided quality service. Based on previous recommendations, we decided to go with Michael. He was willing to do video chat for the consultation given how far we are from, and gave us a breakdown of each package he offered. All around a great guy! Can't wait for the big day!

Update 10/20/19
Our wedding was such a success thanks to Michael. Guests had nothing but good things to say about him!

Carly Sent on 03/25/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Everything I could ask for and more!

My husband and I were ever so grateful for an amazing experience with DeArruda weddings! We worked with John Fullerton to officiate our wedding. Let me tell you we were skeptical about spending the money at first but we wanted it to be just right so we booked. John never disappointed us once. We were able to complete all our pre marriage counseling over the iPad and he worked with our crazy busy schedule. We lived 3hrs away so in person meetings wasn't an option for us. We grew with these amazing courses and they provided us with valuable take aways for the future.
Then there was the ceremony...he performed the most beautiful and endearing ceremony. Just the right wording and all within the time frame we asked for. I cannot say enough good things about the experience we had. HIGHLY recommend.

+2 photos

Jonathan Sent on 03/19/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Great guy!

We couldn’t be happier with our decision to work with Michael. From our first contact through to our ceremony, his professionalism and kindness made the process much more enjoyable and comfortable than it likely would have been otherwise. Not only did we appreciate his attention to detail leading up to the big day, but his composed manner on the day of was truly calming.

We would also highly recommend the couples coaching sessions. Though these were low-key and fun, they absolutely strengthened our relationship and helped us discover some great new things about each other. Michael’s experience really showed as we never felt pressured, but he made it really easy for us to open up. He really is a great person.

Barbara Sent on 01/22/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

The perfect fit

Michael certainly is meant to be an officiant. He is a very kind looking man who has great patience and makes things fun during such an exciting anxious time. He is incredibly through in his work and is very quick to respond to any questions. His prices are slightly high but after meeting him and seeing how he does things, we were glad to have paid for his services. Couldn't recommend him enough and i'm happy he was part of our big day!

Martha Sent on 01/20/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Wonderful Ceremony

Michael did a great job, very personable. We enjoyed getting to know him leading up to the wedding via our coaching sessions. Package was a great value price wise. His officiating was very good and added in some personal touches that he learned about us through the coaching session. If you want absolute control over what is said, make sure to discuss it before hand!

Ashley Sent on 01/16/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Unbelievable Experience - THANK YOU!

Reverend Michael DeArruda was unbelievable. From initial contact to counseling to officiating our beach wedding, Rev. Michael was a godsend. He was willing to dedicate the time and effort we needed to prepare for our marriage journey. My now husband and I opted in to the relationship counseling which not only helped us feel more at ease with hiring Michael, but enabled us to learn more about him and his work, as well as ourselves as a couple. Even though my husband and I have been together for over 10 years, the counseling was an amazing experience to embrace, and one I would recommend to any “new” couple that considers Rev. Michael as their officiant.

Rev. Michael was wonderful in helping us sculpt our wedding ceremony. He provided examples and helped us craft a ceremony unique to our life experience(s). It was a pleasure to finally meet Rev. Michael in person; all of our exchanges had been over the Internet. Michael was willing to travel to our wedding location (Sanibel Island) and help us with final timeline and details to ensure our ceremony would be perfect. The actual ceremony was AMAZING. He was personable, friendly, warm and welcoming, and my family loved him. Even when our sand ceremony hit a minor hiccup, Rev. Michael improvised and made the service even better.

We are so happy to have found Rev. Michael, and would, beyond a doubt, recommend to any couple wishing to tie the knot. THANK YOU!

Jason Sent on 12/03/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Fantastic Service

Michael DeArudda made our beach wedding go pretty much perfect. His insightful comments as well as his delivery of the nuptials was spot on. He made my wife and I very comfortable through out the whole process and I couldn’t think of anyone else that I would have perform such a meaningful ceremony!

Katie Sent on 10/29/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing experience! Highly Recommend!

We were sooo happy and lucky we found DeArruda Weddings! Michael is amazing and he really took the time to get to know us. He is incredibly organized and on top of things all the way through your wedding. We cannot recommend him enough. We had guest come up to us saying he was the best officiant they've ever heard, we agree!!

Jennifer Sent on 10/29/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Beautifully Arranged Ceremony

I'm embarrassed to admit that the ceremony itself was not among my priorities when my husband and I started planning our September wedding. We sought out DeArruda Weddings only weeks before our big day and had the wonderful fortune of working with Michael. He asked exactly the right questions to get to know us and, ultimately, help us decide how we wanted to structure our ceremony to make it our own. He helped us write personal statements that we will cherish forever and, in the end, he officiated a ceremony that was by far the most magical part of the evening. So many of our guests assumed we'd known Michael for years the way he so accurately described our relationship. He's a true professional and a true master of ceremonies. Highly recommend DeArruda Weddings!

Klara Sent on 10/21/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Best experience!

We are so happy that we chose Rev. Michael as our officiant as he was such a pleasure to work with. He made the whole process of planning very easy and helped us create our beautiful ceremony just like we’ve always wanted.
Rev. Michael makes everyone feel involved, from the bride and groom to every single guest and that was very special.
We highly recommend him!

Mary Sent on 10/20/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Unforgettable!!!

My fiancé and I have enjoyed every minute working with Michael! Our wedding in February will be the third in my family that he will officiate. Upon signing the contract to book him, he offered my fiancé and I the option for pre-marital coaching. My family members who worked with Michael didn’t opt for these sessions, but we figured it could be fun and gave it a try. We started the sessions a strong couple, but we finished them even stronger and felt more connected than ever before. Michael helped us remove outside distractions and really be vulnerable with each other. We enjoyed the experience so much that we requested to have quarterly check-in sessions with him after we say our vows. We feel so lucky to have Michael stand with us and marry us on our big day!

Laura Sent on 07/26/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

DeArruda Weddings was one of the officiants listed on Opal Sands preferred vendors lists! I visited the websites listed and Michaels really stood out to me so I set up an appointment! I am SOOO happy he was on the list because we instantly connected with him! Michael is so easy going and personable. He took the time to get to know us and he used what he learned to draft a ceremony that fit us perfectly! He spoke so clearly and had our guests all laughing! Since our wedding my family and friends haven't stopped talking about how great the ceremony was and how wonderful Michael did! I definitely recommend using Michael as your officiant - you will not be disappointed!!!

Jenn Sent on 07/25/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Enjoyed a beautiful wedding preparation and ceremony experience with Michael DeArruda! He took the time to get to know us as individuals, a couple, and our blended family dynamics. We thoroughly enjoyed the wedding prep course and the ceremony was beyond our expectations even though we had the opportunity to customize the readings and music. Our family and friends commented it was the best ceremony attended because of Michael and his beautiful and inspiration words.

Toniann Sent on 05/30/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

My now husband and I found Michael DeArruda on The Knot and were impressed by his reviews. We had an initial meeting with him and right when we left I told my fiance at the time that there was something I really liked about him! He made us feel very comfortable and you could tell that he loves what he does. We did pre-marital counseling which was a great experience to learn even more about each other. Michael would always respond to my emails promptly, which was very appreciated. Not only was Michael there for us every step of the way through this journey, he was there for us personally. Unfortunately, a month before our wedding my father passed away and Michael attended his funeral. That really meant a lot to us and made us feel like he truly cared. We had our rehearsal two days before the wedding and he explained everything very precisely. Our family loved that he cracked some jokes during the process, but was still so professional which made it a fun experience. The wedding day came and he did a WONDERFUL job, it went so smoothly and was just perfect. I would absolutely recommend DeArruda weddings to family and friends. Thank you, Michael!

Elizaveta Sent on 05/29/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

To say that Michael was the highlight of the wedding is like saying nothing at all. We were so thorough about our search for only the most important person at the wedding outside of bride and groom, that we went through many articles, searches and phone calls and almost got to the wrong answer a few times. However, something prevented me from making the commitment every time until we found Michael. It was clear from the first Skype call that there is no other option for us - he is thoughtful, well-spoken, extremely genuine and so many other things that made him the star of the show during our ceremony (that is of course, until the bride showed up :)). In all seriousness, if I could post a video of my entire ceremony to spread the word about Michael's gift to engage people and make your already special day simply unforgettable, I would. But then I'd be worried he would be overbooked. If you found this review, and Michael has your date available, don't waste time and book him pronto, that is my bridezilla advice to you all! :)

Kristin Sent on 04/14/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Michael made our day extra special! He will not let you down! He truly cares :-)

Jennifer Sent on 04/13/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I don’t think there are enough kind words to say about Rev. Michael and all that he did for our wedding to make it truly exceptional!! Rev. Michael took time to get to know the real us and incorporated that into the ceremony. He listened and was attentive and gave some great advice! Finding an officiant online is hard and sometimes you don’t always know what you are going to expect, but with Rev. Michael, we had complete confidence in this choice and his website prepared us with questions and expectations which helped making the choice of officiant a lot easier. If we had the choice to do it all over again, we would still go with Rev. Michael.

Kendall Sent on 01/29/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I'm so happy we had the opportunity to meet and share our wedding day with Reverend DeArruda! My husband and I interviewed with him about 6 months before our wedding and instantly felt he was the perfect match for us. We did our counseling with Reverend DeArruda which consisted of 4 sessions. We were able to take a test to see what areas my husband and I were strong in and others we may have needed to work on. He also gave us some exercises to complete before each session which were fun and exciting to see that we often wrote down the same things! We felt so comfortable during these sessions and loved all the advice we received.

Reverend DeArruda did such an amazing job with our rehearsal and had everyone laughing and excited about the big day! Our ceremony was beautiful and couldn't have been more perfect. He has so many options for the layout of the ceremony and will work with you to make your day the best day ever. So many of our guests said it was the best ceremony they've ever seen!

I highly recommend Reverend Michael DeArruda and also recommend doing the counseling sessions!

Lauren Sent on 01/15/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We are so thankful we found Rev. DeArruda for our wedding. The marriage coaching sessions were helpful and meant a lot to us. We did not do a rehearsal and the ceremony was flawless! We had multiple family members tell us that it was the most beautiful ceremony they had ever seen. Rev. DeArruda made planning and designing our ceremony easy. He is kind, genuine and made our day so special. We would HIGHLY recommend him!

Hayley Sent on 12/18/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Reverend Michael DeArruda went above and beyond expectations for every step of the wedding process. He truly is a humble, caring and engaging individual. He was able to satisfy both families faiths for our ceremony and still keep it modern and personalized (and BEAUTIFUL!) He also offers marriage coaching, which I too recommend, as it offers an outsiders approach to working out the kinks in your relationship.

Nancy Sent on 12/16/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We found Michael online which can be a little scary. We met via skype since we are in Illinois and were planning a destination wedding. We knew right away that we made the right choice! He has a fantastic personality and took the time to get to know us and always had a genuine smile on his face. It was obvious he loves what he does! Michael already had a commitment scheduled for the day of our wedding so we changed the time of our ceremony by an hour and it was actually better for us for the sunset photos. We cannot thank Michael enough.

+2 photos

Bob Sent on 12/12/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I could not have done any better. Michael is the best !!. He helped us script the service. He was personable and very friendly. He was fine with our venue. He gave a short homily which was poignant and really helpful with both of our families. If you are contemplating using Michael, you cannot go wrong. Bob and Nancy Bussing

Megan Sent on 12/09/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I can't say enough great things about Micheal DeArruda! From the beginning of the process to the very end he was wonderful. I would recommend him to ANYONE looking for an officiant. Several guest talked about how wonderful he did the cermony and we couldn't agree more! If you are looking for someone, look no further! PS- I never write reviews but for him I felt the need to :)

Betsie Sent on 12/09/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Absolutely wonderful! Reverend Michael was fantastic and made our entire wedding experience memorable! We are so thankful to have chosen DeArruda Weddings (Rev. Michael) as our officiant! Take the marriage coaching classes, worth every penny! It was life changing and helped our relationship grow!

Amy Sent on 12/09/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Reverend DeArruda did such an amazing job with our wedding! We got married 11/4/17 in Naples, Florida and had a change in venue one month before due to hurricane Irma, and Rev. DeArruda was flexible throughout the transition, which helped a lot! Finding the right officiant was very important to us. My husband and I are from different religious background (Jewish and Catholic), and we wanted to make sure both sides were included in the ceremony. Rev. DeArruda was very responsive through the entire process, and chatted with us via Skype calls and emails to help us plan everything. The rehearsal was also very organized, and our bridal party and guests had nothing but great things to say as well. We highly recommend!

Johanna Sent on 12/05/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

It was an absolute pleasure working with Rev. Michael. From the pre-marital coaching sessions to our wedding day everything went fantastic. He was always VERY organized and detailed oriented and it really showed through during our ceremony. We recommend 100%!

Tiffany Sent on 10/31/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I honestly cannot say enough positive things about Michael. He is a genuinely good person and so great at what he does! My now husband and I did the marriage coaching and it was so worth it! I would recommend to all couples!!! We wish we had more sessions with him! We got to know Michael on a personal level and by the day of the wedding we considered ourselves friends of Michael. Our coaching sessions connected my husband and I on a much deeper level and regrouped us during stressful times leading up to the wedding. He did an amazing job officiating our wedding and we couldn’t be happier! Our guests are still raving about him. If you want an all around amazing experience hire Michael, you will certainly not be disappointed.

Ray Sent on 10/31/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

By the time our wedding day had arrived, Michael seemed more like a friend than an officiant. He was consistently available to answer questions during the months leading up to the big day, and he helped organize things during the final minutes before the music started, when emotions were running highest. We recommend him highly.

Dalene Sent on 10/06/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

As we began planning our wedding almost two years ago, we were searching for an officiant that we connected with and would take the time to know us as a couple before the ceremony; as well as some kind of pre-marital counseling course that would help us to examine issues and develop the skills and tools we needed to ensure our relationship would thrive – what a stroke of luck (divine intervention?) that we found both in Michael DeArruda. Through the counseling course we learned so much about how to communicate with each other more productively and navigate life’s ups and downs, which has come in handy: we aren’t actually married yet, as we have weathered two disasters (one man-made and one natural – thanks a lot, Hurricane Irma), each one causing our wedding to be postponed. Michael has been right with us through everything – his patience, support and sage advice has made all the difference. We are so blessed to know Michael and call him a friend, there is no one else in the world that we could imagine marrying us when we finally get there this December.

Joan Sent on 05/07/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Rev. DeArruda officiated our beach ceremony at the Don Cesar on 4/22/17 and the ceremony could not have been more perfect! He is such an outstanding speaker and his words are heart-felt and filled with emotion because he truly believes in the sanctity of marriage. We took part in his 4 "pre-marital coaching" sessions and they were amazing! He took the time to know us on a personal level individually and as a couple. He truly cared about making our marriage work even after the wedding day. For the ceremony itself he set the tone of respect and reverence; even though we were on the beach he was able to capture and focus the audience's attention on the bride and groom as we made our sacred vows. Several guests commented to us that it was the most beautiful wedding ceremony they had ever seen. He joined us for our reception after the ceremony and we had a great time celebrating with him! He is a very kind-hearted man who truly cares about the bride and groom and making their wedding day special. He helps the day run smoothly and handles himself with grace and poise. Most importantly, he gives very sound advice and helped us to start our marriage on a solid foundation. I recommend Rev. DeArruda 100%! I would definitely choose him as my officiant again, and hope to stay in touch with him through the years.

Brandon Sent on 04/30/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Considering that weddings typically involve both a bride and a groom, it seems a bit odd that the reviewing of officiants should be so vastly over-represented by the female perspective. I'd like to offer a change of scenery by providing my thoughts, as a man, on Reverend DeArruda.

First and foremost, Michael is a consummate professional. He is respectful, timely, and organized in his dealings. My wedding ceremony proceeded seamlessly and was perfectly tailored to the wishes of my wife and I, while remaining dynamic and emotionally stirring.

But I don't want to dwell on Mr. DeArruda's business acumen or oratory ability, because what places him many steps beyond the average officiant, is that he possesses a set of intangibles that are more easily felt than described. In short, he listens, he is engaged, and he gives poignant advice that conveys a deep, spiritual profundity that very few possess. There is genuine wisdom to be found here.

Perhaps the best advice I have for couples considering Michael as their prospective officiant, is that you, as a couple, should absolutely consider his relationship coaching. It is only through thoughtful conversation and interacting that you will legitimately get to know each other; only then will the words spoken at your ceremony ring true with authenticity. Like the marriage you will shortly be entering into, you will get out of these meetings what you put into them. You will doubtlessly be challenged, and may even be compelled to reconsider longstanding beliefs you've held. As a person who participated in this coaching, I am here to tell you that it is worth it.

I have the utmost respect for Reverend DeArruda. He is the simply the best.

Kate Sent on 04/18/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

My husband and I can't even put into words how awesome Michael was on our wedding day! Michael is so professional, funny, kind and we couldn't be happier that we used him as our officiant. On our rehearsal day, Michael rallied the troops and made sure everybody knew what needed to happen on the big day. On our wedding day, 4/8/17, Michael absolutely rocked it! He kept it light and romantic, and the guests loved our ceremony! 5/5, Michael is the best!!!! We will recommend him to anyone again and again!!!

Kate & Sean

Tammy Sent on 04/09/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Michael did a wonderful ceremony for us. From the moment we had our first meeting with him we knew he was perfect for our special day. Could not have asked for a better minister.

Alison Sent on 04/09/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Words don't even do justice to how incredible Reverend DeArruda is! From the pre coaching sessions (which, if anyone is on the fence about signing up for them, absolutely go for it! They were so helpful and enlightening for us as a couple), to the rehearsal where he took complete control and made us feel at ease, to the actual wedding day, he was amazing. Our ceremony on 3/25/17 was the most beautiful and memorable part of the whole experience and I owe that to Michael DeArruda :) He helped us prepare for and set up the perfect ceremony to suit us, and he also through his own experience and genuine charisma said the perfect words to make us feel blessed. When I couldn't get my vows out (through abundant emotion!) he was so calming and patient which is exactly what I needed. I had forgotten to ask him to bless the food before we ate at the reception and when my dj sprung this on him, he didn't hesitate and it was beautiful. He has a way with words and emotion and I lost track of how many people commented on how incredible our officiant was! He is a wonderful, warm and extremely genuine man. This was his calling in life- his intelligence and knowledge is immense and we (myself, my husband, our parents, and all of our guests) are so thankful and blessed that he performed our wedding ceremony! Book him NOW, you will not regret it for a second. Thank you Reverend!!

Rachel Sent on 03/07/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

If we could give Reverend Michael DeArruda more than a 5 star rating in all categories, we would! We originally found Michael through internet research, and loved his eloquence and compassion.

When we contacted Michael, he referred us to his dear friend since he had a prior obligation during our wedding weekend. We had planned on his dear friend officiating our ceremony. Michael still ensured that all appropriate measures were being taken in a very professional form. Unexpectedly, the week before our wedding, our officiant had an emergency, and could not attend our ceremony. Michael, with no hesitation, made it clear that we were not to panic. He found a way to come to our wedding last minute, and shared the majority of the weekend with us, engaging with all of our friends and family. He still found a way to meet his prior obligation also.

In the short amount of time we had with Michael, he took every effort to get to know us. We had many unique connections with him. He is so personable and open. Michael is kind, loving, funny, and understanding. We felt exceptionally at ease. He is very organized, and quick to get back to you about any questions or concerns. He orchestrated the rehearsal seamlessly.

Michael made our wedding so special, and so tailored to us. His enthusiasm is one of a kind. We highly recommend Michael to anyone and everyone! He truly cares about the people he marries! He becomes more than an officiant, but a dear friend too.

Megan Sent on 03/05/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Michael was fantastic to work with and made our wedding beautiful We were glad to have done the premarital courses to develop a relationship with Michael and make our ceremony that much more special!

Janie Sent on 02/03/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

He performed my daughter and her (now) husband's wedding and we are so happy that we had him do the ceremony! He is wonderful! He made the ceremony an even more special event by his words of wisdom. Everyone commented how beautiful the ceremony was and how great he was. We are so thankful that we had him as the person to join together the lives of our daughter and her love. Thank you, Michael, for a beautiful ceremony!

User2953374 Sent on 01/19/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Michael is a wonderful person and truly made our ceremony so special!

Leiry Sent on 01/12/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We are so please with Rev. DeArruda. What a beautiful ceremony did he put together for us.

Sue Sent on 01/10/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Pastor John made our wedding day very special. We appreciated skyping with him a week or two before the ceremony so we all felt like we knew each other. He performed the ceremony beautifully and made us feel like he genuinely enjoyed getting to know us and performing this memorable act in our lives. We will never forget him. Sue and Mark

Kristina Sent on 01/03/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Wow, You get so much more than what you pay for when you hire Michael DeArruda!! We signed Michael the day we met him. His great personality and energy were clear from start. He has such a passion for helping couples build a great foundation for their marriage. We opted for the counseling sessions in addition to his officiating services, because we really wanted to get to know the person who was to wed us. We got started right away and had 3 sessions within the months leading up to our wedding with Michael at his beautiful home. After those sessions we truly felt as though we had a relationship with Michael and when he spoke about us as a couple at our ceremony that he truly knew us as well. He took care of everything concerning the marriage licence, after the wedding and even keeps a copy- just in case you loose yours! He is a wonderful man who genuinely cares about your marriage and wants to help build the best future for you and your spouse. Look no further for your officiant! In Michael, you have found the most caring, sincere and honest person to help kick off the beginning of your beautiful life as a married couple! Thank you Michael for everything! You rock!
--The Bordens :)

Kerin Sent on 12/05/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Michael was awesome to work with! He really did an amazing job creating a ceremony that was unique to us and spent time getting to know us in order to do so! Would definitely recommend him again and again!

Lisa Sent on 10/28/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

My husband and I live in Northern Virginia, but decided to get married in St. Petersburg, FL because I am from SW Florida. I was so excited to get married in Florida, but was nervous about finding a great officiant. We wanted a Christ-focused wedding ceremony. But since we were not involved in a church in the St. Pete/Tampa area, we were concerned that it would be difficult to find the right person to marry us. Our wedding planner suggested Michael DeArruda as a potential officiant. So, we set up a Skype call to see if he would be a good fit. I could not believe how much time Michael spent getting to know us before we had even hired him. He wanted to learn all about us – how we met, our first date, how he proposed, etc. After our video conference ended, we knew that Michael was the man to orchestrate the most important ceremony of our lives.
Michael helped us create a ceremony that was true to who we are and what we wanted. He went over all the parts of the ceremony to make sure it was what we envisioned leading up to the wedding.
My husband is Filipino. So, it was important for us to incorporate some Filipino traditions into our ceremony. We did a cord, veil, and coin ceremony. Michael did such a wonderful job weaving this into our ceremony and explaining the symbolism of each element. My in-laws were so incredibly impressed with how Michael conducted this part of the ceremony. In fact, they said that they had never heard the elements described so beautifully.
The entire ceremony was absolutely perfect! The ceremony was exactly as we dreamed and hoped for. It was an honor to have Michael DeArruda be our officiant. Your wedding ceremony is the most important part of your journey to become a married couple. I would absolutely recommend you entrust that to Michael DeArruda of DeArruda Weddings. You will not be disappointed! Thank you Michael!!

Michelle Sent on 10/25/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Michael was such a pleasure to work with. He was very supportive and provided great guidance throughout our wedding planning process. He takes the time to have you complete a relationship assessment and meet personally to discuss the results and provides advice accordingly. He also assisted us with the challenging task of writing statements to one another for our ceremony. He truly cares about the decision you are making and it shows through his work! Our ceremony was absolutely perfect and we couldn't have asked for anything better! Michael is very very professional, friendly, and passionate about what he does! Thank you again Michael we highly recommend you!

Catrina Sent on 09/27/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We found Michael on weddingwire, and he was very responsive right away. We quickly set up an in-person meeting with him (we live about four hours away from Tampa, where we had our wedding). He worked around our schedule, and our first meeting was at a Starbucks. We decided to book him right away. He was so warm during that first meeting, and we felt like he was taking the time to get to know us and our story. We hadn't considered pre-marital counseling, but it is a service he offered (he did not push it on us at all) and we decided that we might as well give it a try. He was very accommodating with our schedule, and we did 3 out of our 4 sessions on skype since we were far away. We were so happy with the pre-marital counseling experience - although we didn't think we "needed" it, I think it kept the focus on our relationship during the wedding planning process and it provided us with some insight we may not have had otherwise. He gave us homework before sessions and always provided us with detailed feedback.

Going through pre-marital counseling also allowed us to get to know Michael better (and him to get to know us) before the wedding. We were adamant about a few things that we wanted in the ceremony, and he was accommodating to our requests (and provided us with some great constructive criticism). Our ceremony was so special to us (particularly due to the things he said about us as a couple and what he had learned about us through our counseling sessions) and everyone raved about the ceremony. There was laughter and happy tears during the ceremony and we are so thankful to Michael for being a part of our special day and making all the more personal to us.

Ashley Sent on 09/14/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Michael has a wonderful way of making you feel like the only couple getting married. He personalizes everything and really goes through a great effort to understand you as an individual as well as a couple. I highly recommend him as an officiant as well as the pre marital counseling. Thank you for everything Michael.

Daniela Sent on 08/17/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Grateful to Minister DeArruda for providing my husband and I with an amazing traditional religious ceremony.

Sasa Sent on 08/09/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Great Person and great Pastor all Kudos to you Michael.
You are the bright shining star and we couldn't imagine better wedding.
Thank you.

Katrina Sent on 08/08/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Mr. DeArruda is such a great guy! He really tried to help us and get to know us as a couple before he married us, which I though was GREAT! He was so nice about everything. Even when we called the day before the wedding to change plans! He is truely a great and caring guy. He helped us have the best wedding day anyone could ask for!!!

Joy Sent on 08/08/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Just do it. He's more than just a minister, and a great person. He is a counselor, adviser and he does an amazing ceremony.
We were totally happy with the results and he even saved our marriage which almost \did not happen. he helped us work through some issues and we are doing great now.

Christina Sent on 05/09/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We found Rev. Michael through a vendor search on Wedding Wire. It was important to us to be able to do pre-marital coaching as well, and he offered both. I thought- who better to do the coaching than the one who will be marrying us!? It made the ceremony feel a lot more personal. I definitely recommend the coaching sessions- he is easy to talk with and brings to light any situations/ decision making you may have in the future that you most likely are not thinking about/discussing now. The ceremony was wonderful, everyone raved about how beautiful it was. He makes it very easy to put together, and works with you every step of the way to ensure you are getting everything you want out of it. I would recommend his services to anyone. Great guy who will give you the ceremony of your dreams!

User2593420 Sent on 05/01/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Michael DeArruda was the officiant for our wedding on April 9, 2016 and he was absolutely fantastic! So many of the guests commented on how much they enjoyed him during the ceremony! He really has a wonderful strong presence, speaks from the heart and incorporates so many personal touches. He was the perfect balance for us between formal and casual, religious but not in your face about it and offering suggestions but still very flexible. He offered several ceremony outline options for us that made it easy to put the most special part of our day together. His format and suggestions made this part of planning very enjoyable. We had the pleasure of getting to know Michael ahead of our wedding day during marriage coaching sessions which I highly recommend. He made us think about things we hadn't quite thought about yet and brought us closer. Michael is extremely personable and we are so delighted we worked with him!

Kevin Sent on 03/29/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Michael DeArruda was an amazing officiant for our wedding. From the first moment he met my (now)wife and I we knew he would be a great fit for us. Because my wife isn't religious and I am we had to find a perfect balance for the both of us. Michael understood this and created the perfect script and ceremony for us. He also helped the both of us with our wedding vows to make them stand out and have more of the "wow" factor. I understand its been a long time since our wedding date to actually write the review but that just shows how much of an impact he had for our special day. He is very easy to work with and knows many venues in the Tampa Bay area. Our wedding was at Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort. I would recommend Rev. DeArruda to anyone needing an officiant for their wedding.

User2511820 Sent on 01/20/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Michael was a blessing to work with. He is extremely knowledgeable and skilled in his field. He is easy to get in touch with and highly responsive to all email and phone contact. He was the most organized vendor we had the pleasure of working with, which, believe me, is something you want from your officiant. We had a mixed faith ceremony and Michael knew exactly how to handle it! He worked with our DJ, photographer, wedding coordinator, and videographer to make sure that our ceremony was perfect. Our ceremony was beyond beautiful thanks to him. We received many compliments on the ceremony and many people acknowledged the excellent job that Michael did. He is extremely well spoken. We also did some premarital counseling with Michael, which we found to be highly valuable. I HIGHLY recommend booking Michael as your officiant!

User2062294 Sent on 01/10/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

When we were researching Michael he had favorable reviews throughout the web, and through working with him we realized that he was underrated. Michael provided us with Premarital counseling, a rehearsal, and one of the most beautiful ceremonies of which we have ever been a part. Our premarital time with Michael opened us to a stronger relationship and better communication which I'm certain will lay the foundation for an unbreakable lifelong partnership. During the rehearsal he was light and fun, making the bridal party and family feel at ease and comfortable with what was going to happen the following day. On the day of our wedding, Michael was calm and his words during the ceremony were heartfelt and beautifully crafted. I truly felt that Michael took a personal ownership of our wedding and through our discussions personalized the ceremony to us and our families. Many families and Wedding parties have a mixed religious background and Michael was very skilled at acknowledging all of the different religious views without alienating any. We couldn't imagine our wedding being more perfect for us and our families, and Michael was a big part of making the day so special.

User2439955 Sent on 11/23/2015

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

The Quintessential Wedding Ceremony Officiant

When choosing a wedding officiant, it was important that we found somebody who not only matched our values, but that we felt comfortable with and that we thought would perform the ceremony flawlessly. We are happy to report that Michael DeArruda did all of these things and more. He turned out to be the very best officiant that we could have chosen. We are now married and happy as ever, and we would not change anything, including the officiant at our wonderful wedding. He is a man of great character and he does his work with passion. He also has the perfect look and voice of a great officiant. You could say that he is the quintessential wedding officiant. We would highly recommend him to anyone looking to have a quality wedding ceremony."

Megan Sent on 11/19/2015

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Highly recommend! Rev Michael did an amazing job at our October wedding at Gland Plaza. He was very personable and professional. We appreciate the extra time and effort that he took to get to know my husband and myself. We feel it really added the personal touch in our ceremony which was really important to us. Michael was available for consultation as needed and took time to attend our rehearsal to ensure the smoothest of ceremonies. All of our guests were very impressed by his passion and touching words. We couldn't have asked for a better officiant and would recommend Rev. Michael to anyone looking for a memorable ceremony.

Donald Sent on 11/06/2015

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Rev. it's been over a month since you married my daughter Megan and her new husband Ryan on the beach at the Grand Plaza in St. Petersburg. I told everyone who wasn't there that the wedding was magical. I mean that sincerely and would like to tell you that you played a major part in making it perfect. I am 58 years old and have set through many wedding ceremonies. You were the best and I'm not kidding. I can't remember paying attention through the many ceremonies I have attended, but yours was so personal and presented so well that I paid attention and listened to every word you spoke. You did a fantastic job and I would just like to say how thankful we are that Megan and Ryan selected you to perform their ceremony.

Wishing you the best and God bless you.

Donald

Kerri Sent on 10/28/2015

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We found Rev. DeArruda while researching various local options throughout SW Florida. Like many couples that choose a destination wedding it can be tough to settle on an officiant.

Michael’s videos initially drew us to him as we felt he had the demeanor and professionalism that we felt was right for our needs. During a visit to Bonita Springs in the Fall of 2014 we met Michael and his wonderful wife Amy at their home in Tampa. Within minutes of sitting down on Michael’s couch and begin our “get to know you” discussion we immediately bonded over the love of our dogs. What seemed like minutes ended up being a good 2 hours plus and upon leaving that meeting my husband and I knew Michael was the right guy for us.

In the spring of 2015 my husband and I took a relationship assessment provided to us as part of Michael’s service agreement and via Skype discussed the results. We found this discussion so helpful that we actually engaged Michael further for three counseling sessions and through these sessions Michael was so helpful in helping my husband and I identify our strengths as a couple as well as what we can do to strengthen our areas of weakness. The comfort that we developed with Michael was so strong that we felt as though he was a lifelong confidant and not someone we’d met just a few short months before (and only once in person).

Moving forward to the rehearsal, Michael was everything we hoped for and then some. He was so efficient and again, professional. He was so detailed and the ceremony flowed so well and Michael was fantastic. His words were so kind as he mixed humor, kind words and little religion into a ceremony that was just perfect. We truly couldn't be happier with our decision to work with Rev. Michael for our wedding. Not only did he conduct a beautiful, thoughtful and personal ceremony for my husband and I but we also made a lifelong friend.

Lisa Sent on 10/15/2015

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We really enjoyed and appreciated having pastor DeArruda as our officiant. We opted to do the classes to help prepare us for the serious vows we would take. My fiancée wasn't to keen on it at first but Mr. DeArruda really was able to make him feel comfortable. This helped us to be able to learn a little more about each other and prepare for our lifetime commitment.

User2357642 Sent on 10/08/2015

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Michael provided us with extremely professional service as well as a beautiful ceremony. It was personalized and his delivery was beautiful.

Peter Sent on 07/14/2015

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Absolutely fantastic officiant. His delivery was friendly and graceful. We loved him and so did our families. On top of that, he is camera-friendly and looks good in the pictures.

Robert Sent on 07/13/2015

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Michael truly helped to make our wedding day enjoyable and memorable!
We would highly recommend him to anyone in the area looking to get married.

Suzanne Sent on 07/02/2015

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Michael DeArruda was organized, professional, thorough, timely, personable, and was a wonderful choice for our wedding!!!! He guided us through all the details, added his warm and funny touches, and performed without a flaw.

HIGHLY recommend!!!

User2189909 Sent on 06/21/2015

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Rev DeArruda was everything we hoped for in a wedding officiant and more. He took time to get to know us during our consultation and worked with us via phone and email to craft a sentimental ceremony that was unique and perfect for us. There was a flash-thunderstorm during our ceremony that required everyone to relocate under a covered alcove. Rev DeArruda had everyone laughing, smiling, and then crying happy tears despite the torrential rain. He is kind, professional, and you can tell that he really cares about what he does. We highly recommend Rev DeArruda for future brides and grooms looking for a special and meaningful ceremony.

Kristen Sent on 03/15/2015

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Michael was an absolute pleasure to have officiate our wedding!!! He made our day even that much more special!! Family and friends can't stop talking about him!! I will recommend his services to everyone!! Thank you so much Michael!! God Bless!!!

Brigitte Sent on 02/24/2015

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

What a great ceremony! Mr Dearruda did a fantastic job, I couldn't have asked for anyone better! So courteous, funny, professional, easy to get in contact, and really got to know you. Everyone kept asking how long we knew Mr Dearruda. Such a great minister! :)

Alexis Sent on 02/17/2015

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

He was great! Everyone commented on how wonderful he was! We very much enjoyed working with him!

Brittany Sent on 02/17/2015

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Michael was awesome!! Everyone knows a wedding day can be full of nerves, he is very organized and does everything in his power to have the event go smoothly, not to mention he's fun!

David Sent on 02/06/2015

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Mr. DeArruda was wonderful. He helped us by working with our schedules and keeping in touch throughout the process. Even though he is in Flordia and we live in West Virginia he was able to make the process feel much closer than the actual distance. You cannot go wrong with Mr. DeArruda.

Mark Sent on 12/31/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Thank you Michael DeArruda for making our day even more special that it already was. Several people commented on how beautiful the ceremony was and how much they loved how you conducted the ceremony and what you said.

Binita Sent on 12/20/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Michael was amazing!!! I am so glad I decided to go with him, I couldn't imagine being married to my soulmate without Michael. From the first time we met him, he was very professional yet very personal, made us feel right at home and showed us he cared. The ceremony was amazing, everybody present at my wedding loved the way he conducted the ceremony and wanted to know how I found Michael.
Thank you Michael and Wedding Wire.
Mark and Vineeta

Karla Sent on 12/10/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Reverend De Arruda gave us the best weeding gift. He gave us a wonderful and emotional wedding ceremony.

Reverend De Arruda took the time to get to know us, to get familiar with our story. He guided us to the minimal details to have a ceremony that was perfect for us and that sent the message we wanted to share with our families and friends.

We live far away from Tampa but by the time we met face to face we felt like we have always known each other. He was very kind and always made us feel at ease.

At the end of the ceremony many of our friends went to talk to him and everybody love his kindness and down to earth personality. Some of our friends told us if they would live in Tampa, they would love to go to his church.

I honestly can't put in words how a wonderful memory we have of our wedding ceremony.

Simply perfect!
Thanks Reverend and hope our lives crosses again to share more happy moments like this.

Sincerely,
Karla & Victor

Amber Sent on 12/09/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Very professional, caring and thorough. Highly recommend.

Jessica Sent on 12/04/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

My fiancé and I searched for quite a while before we found Michael DeArruda's website. After meeting with him for a short time, we felt confident that he would be the perfect officiant for our outdoor wedding ceremony.

Much to my fiance's surprise, our premarital counseling sessions were painless, informative and even fun. Not only did we learn a lot about each other but they made us feel more comfortable with Michael.

Michael's ceremony selection tools made planning our ceremony simple. We opted for a short, "contemporary religious" ceremony with the hopes that it would be sentimental for us but still engaging for our guests. I cannot begin to explain how the ceremony surpassed our expectations. We had NUMEROUS guests tell us during the reception that it was the best ceremony they had ever been to. We even had single guests (and their parents) ask for his contact information!

We cannot begin to thank Michael for all of his help leading up to our big day and the amazing job he did officiating our ceremony. We are confident that we will be seeing him soon officiating many of our friend's future ceremonies!

User1949867 Sent on 12/03/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

My husband and I were thrilled to ask Michael DeArruda to conduct our wedding ceremony this May. We appreciated Michael's thoughtfulness and humor and that the ceremony was performed with eloquence and ease. He takes cues from the surroundings and guests, so you feel even more "in the moment". We couldn't be happier!!!!

Meredith Sent on 11/09/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Michael DeArruda was the officiant at my wedding and was fantastic. He worked with me when creating my ceremony drafts and was very helpful answering my questions and concerns. He was very kind and had a wonderful positive and upbeat attitude. We could not have asked for any one better to perform our ceremony (even with a few last minute requests from us). We heard lots of compliments about him and even heard some say he was perfect to perform our ceremony. I felt very confident in him and was not worried about a thing.

Kelly Sent on 10/28/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Michael was a fantastic officiant. We wanted something short, yet meaningful. Michael was funny, kind and very well spoken. Our service was about 10 minutes and we had several people comment on how much they enjoyed it. We would definitely recommend Michael!!! THANK YOU!

Jessica Sent on 09/28/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

It was really important to my fiancé and I that our wedding ceremony feels personal and intimate. Reverend Michael accomplished this and more. He took a lot of time to get to know us and this was reflected in our ceremony. Even though Michael had to cut about ½ of our ceremony at the last minute due to the threat of a large thunderstorm ruining our outdoor beach wedding, he was able to keep the intimacy and the pieces of the ceremony that he knew meant the most to us all on the fly. Michael has a wonderful sense of humor, a calming presence and is an outstanding speaker. I have never been to a wedding where all the guests raved about the minister but we had guest after guest tell us how much they enjoyed the ceremony and Reverend Michael. We absolutely loved having him at our wedding and are so grateful for his services!!!

Ashley Sent on 05/30/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Simply the best...When my husband and I first met Michael, something just clicked. Planning a wedding away from family made it so important to us for the ceremony to feel as personal and initimate as possible. We wanted it to reflect our personality and our story...he nailed it! His warmth, kindness and uplifting spirit was infectious and our guests felt the same. Their was so much love and laughter in the room, as he guided the two of us through the "I Do's!" More so, we thoroughly enjoyed our pre-marital sessions with Michael. Even with a strong foundation together, we learned so much more about each other as individuals and together. Taking a moment to pause and reflect on where we've been and where we're going during our sessions, strengthened our relationship and gave Michael a better glimpse of who we are as a pair.
We are so beyond thankful to have met him and will stay in touch going foward!!
Happily Ever After - Ashley & Peter Nash

Jeff Sent on 05/30/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Very professional and accommodating. Perfect for the job.

Lindsey Sent on 05/26/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Michael was very professional throughout our process and very well-organized. He was open to anything we wanted to incorporate into our wedding ceremony and we found the ceremony suggestions on his website very helpful in planning our program. We appreciated how he remembered information that we discussed even when we didn’t maintain contact for several months. He was always punctual and always well-prepared. This was important because during our rehearsal and wedding, we had so many other things going on that we didn’t have time to track down our vendors. Before we had a chance to call to confirm final wedding details the week of, he had emailed us and had been in touch with our DJ the verify a few last minute details (re: music during the ceremony and microphones). Michael was always on-time and prepared. His comments during the wedding were well-received by us, our family and friends. We will definitely recommend him in the future.

Julie Sent on 05/24/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

He really is! I only stumbled upon him after accidentally clicking on a link while searching for an officiant. After that I didn't have to search any longer. After watching the videos he has on his website I knew he was the kind of officiant I was looking for. One that knew what love was all about and that would make our wedding personalized! While all the guests were waiting (I was running extremely late due to other problems) they all told me that he reassured them and that he was great. He was always so quick to answer any messages I had. Thank you for everything Michael!

Linda Sent on 05/10/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Thank you to Reverend Michael DeArruda for making our daughter, Ashley's wedding so special. Ashley said from the beginning she chose the perfect officiant and she was right. Reverend Michael DeArruda made everything special from the rehearsal to the wedding ceremony. Always smiling and never frustrated which certainly can happen with so many people involved. He delivered such beautiful and meaningful words. We are so thankful and appreciative that he blessed our daughter's marriage and helped to provide us with such a wonderful memory.

DeArruda Weddings + Marriage Reviews

Reviews

DeArruda Weddings + Marriage