Rev. Dr. Jennifer Strickland
Pastor Jen | Claremont Christian Wedding Officiant
Sacred, Inclusive & Beautifully Personalized Ceremonies.
Meet Pastor Jen, a warm, creative, and deeply experienced Christian wedding officiant who brings heart, storytelling, and intention to every ceremony.
As co-senior pastor of Claremont United Church of Christ, she combines her theological education, love of language, and passion for celebrating love to create meaningful wedding experiences.
Based in the Inland Empire, Pastor Jen happily travels throughout Southern California to help couples celebrate one of life's most important moments.
Check Pastor Jen's Availability Meet Our Officiant Team
Where Faith, Creativity & Love Come Together
Your wedding ceremony should feel sacred, joyful, personal, and unmistakably yours.
Pastor Jen believes the most meaningful wedding ceremonies are created with intention and collaboration.
She delights in learning about each couple's relationship, values, traditions, and dreams for the future.
With her background in theology, literature, and creative writing, she brings a thoughtful and expressive approach to every ceremony.
Her goal is to create a celebration that honors your love story while making you and your guests feel genuinely connected to the moment.
The Pastor Jen Wedding Ceremony Experience
Inclusive Christian Weddings
Meaningful Christian ceremonies grounded in love, compassion, and an inclusive approach to faith and marriage.
Beautifully Written Ceremonies
Thoughtful storytelling, meaningful language, and personalized elements that reflect your unique relationship.
Joyful & Collaborative
A warm and creative planning experience where your ideas, personalities, and vision help shape the celebration.
Experienced Christian Ministry with an Inclusive Heart
Rev. Dr. Jennifer Strickland serves as co-senior pastor of Claremont United Church of Christ, a historic and inclusive Southern California church.
She holds dual standing in both the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the United Church of Christ.
Her ministry reflects a deep commitment to faith, compassion, community, and welcoming people from diverse backgrounds.
She brings that same spirit to the wedding ceremonies she thoughtfully creates for her couples.
Pastor Jen's Ministry Background
Co-Senior Pastor
Claremont United Church of Christ
Dual Denominational Standing
Presbyterian Church (USA)
and United Church of Christ
Doctoral-Level Theological Education
Experienced Wedding Ceremony Designer
Inclusive Christian Ministry
Based in the Inland Empire
A Unique Blend of Theology, Literature & Creative Writing
Pastor Jen brings both spiritual depth and a writer's love of language to every wedding ceremony.
Her academic journey includes studies in creative writing, English literature, theology, and ministry.
She earned degrees through Miami University, Chapman University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Duke University.
This distinctive combination of education allows her to approach ceremonies with an appreciation for meaningful words, powerful stories, and sacred traditions.
For couples who want their wedding to feel personal rather than generic, Pastor Jen's creative and theological background is a wonderful advantage.
A Love for Weddings That Began Before Seminary
Weddings have always held a special place in Pastor Jen's heart.
Even before attending seminary, she spent a year interning with a wedding planning company.
That experience gave her a firsthand appreciation for the thoughtful details that make a wedding celebration truly special.
She learned how important it is to listen carefully to couples and help bring their unique vision to life.
Today, she combines that early wedding industry experience with her pastoral training and creative talents.
What Makes Pastor Jen Special?
Experienced Christian pastor
Creative writer and storyteller
Background in wedding planning
Personalized ceremony design
Inclusive and welcoming ministry
Thoughtful spiritual traditions
Warm and joyful personality
Your Story Deserves to Be Beautifully Told
A wedding ceremony should feel like it could belong to no other couple but you.
Pastor Jen delights in collaborating with couples to create ceremonies that reflect their personalities, relationships, and values.
She believes the most memorable ceremonies combine meaningful ritual with authentic storytelling.
Whether your vision includes traditional Christian elements, personalized vows, meaningful readings, or creative touches, she enjoys helping bring everything together.
Her goal is to create a ceremony that feels sacred, joyful, inclusive, and unmistakably yours.
When Broadway Magic Becomes Wedding Magic
Some wedding ceremonies are so memorable they deserve a standing ovation!
One of Pastor Jen's favorite wedding memories was officiating the marriage of two Broadway actors.
During the ceremony, the entire wedding party spontaneously burst into song!
And the entertainment didn't stop there. At the reception, the wedding party performed an amazing choreographed dance to "Uptown Funk."
It was a joyful reminder that weddings can be both deeply meaningful and wonderfully fun.
Family, Food, Travel & Some Very Special Pets
Outside of ministry and weddings, Pastor Jen loves reading fiction, traveling, cooking vegetarian meals, and hosting unforgettable gatherings.
She's also passionate about rescuing and fostering animals.
Her household includes two pot-bellied pigs, a dog, her daughter, and her husband.
And here's another fun detail: her husband also happens to be her co-pastor!
Her life is filled with family, creativity, compassion, and plenty of personality— qualities that shine through in her wedding ceremonies.
Getting to Know Pastor Jen
Favorite Pastime
Reading fiction
Loves to Travel
Exploring new places
In the Kitchen
Cooking vegetarian meals
Animal Lover
Rescuing and fostering animals
Family Life
Her husband, daughter,
two pot-bellied pigs, and dog
Claremont, Inland Empire & Southern California Wedding Officiant
Based in the Inland Empire, traveling throughout Southern California.
Pastor Jen serves couples planning meaningful Christian wedding ceremonies throughout Claremont, the Inland Empire, Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, and surrounding Southern California areas.
Whether you're planning an intimate wedding, a beautiful outdoor celebration, or a larger gathering with family and friends, Pastor Jen would love to hear about your vision.
Contact Great Officiants to discuss your wedding location, ceremony preferences, and her availability.
Request Pastor Jen for Your WeddingA Few Fun Facts About Pastor Jen
Get to know the creative, compassionate, and wonderfully welcoming minister affectionately known as Friend!
Let's Create a Wedding Ceremony That's Unmistakably Yours
With her unique combination of theological education, creative writing, wedding planning experience, and inclusive Christian ministry, Pastor Jen brings something truly special to every ceremony.
Whether your wedding is traditional, modern, intimate, or wonderfully creative, Rev. Dr. Jennifer Strickland would be honored to help tell your love story.
Check Pastor Jen's Availability Meet Our Officiant Team