Minister Phillip Waring Profile by Patti Zint, The Wedding Chronicle
Posted by Phil Waring at 2/22/2008 6:17 AM and is filed under uncategorized 
You just have to love Phil Waring. An unlikely cross between Jeff Foxworthy and Joel Osteen, Phil offers both quick wit and genuine acceptance. Precociously certain he could make marriage ceremonies into true celebrations after attending a somber service at the age of ten, he set up a crate and box altar in his family garage to practice conducting weddings. His performance is now perfect.
Winner of The Wedding Chronicle Reader’s Poll six years in a row, inductee into The Wedding Chronicle Hall of Fame, and pastor of Chapel Bellavista, Phil is uniquely dedicated to each and every couple he marries. “I offer authenticity, credibility and a profound appreciation for the individuality of their relationship,” he states. Comments from clients range from surprise that it “felt like you were actually talking to us” to “incredibly impressed that every word you spoke was truly about us and not a canned ceremony” to “Wow!”
“I’m glad to be at the age where I can treat every couple like they are my own children.” To this end, Phil gets to know his clients, spending time both listening and asking questions. His goal is to stay relevant to each particular couple, conducting a thorough interview for significant details about their lives and relationship to use in creating a ceremony especially for them. No two weddings are exactly alike if officiated by Phil Waring. “It’s all I ever wanted to do. I love it, and I love the people to be surprised by how much they enjoy it!” His most challenging weddings are those involving celebrities where their relationships are somewhat public. “In that case I want to find the relevant surprise in their relationship, something no one knows about them, to make their ceremony fresh and new.”
“I’m the minister who always shows up sober with his own teeth and hair,” Phil deadpans with a twinkle of mischief. “I always try to answer the phone and most of the time I work outdoors,” he grins, referring to the lovely desert gardens of Chapel Bellavista, a church charted by Phil and his wife of eleven years, Gwen, also a minister. “Gwen is an incredible minister! Professional people always seek her sound wisdom.” Together, they are the founders of Arizona Ministers, serving couples through marriage counseling, providing quality pastors for wedding ceremonies plus references to other wedding vendors, and opening Chapel Bellavista for worship and intimate wedding services.
Asked to name someone who has influenced and encouraged him both personally and professionally, Phil smiles. “Besides Gwen, that would be George Burnette. He has shown interest and been supportive of me in every area of my life.” An impish grin suggests more than a few pranks between friends.
Phil provides premarital counseling even if he’s not the wedding officiate. “No strings attached,” he quips, and “having marriage counseling indicates a willingness to improve the relationship.” About Covenant marriages, Phil states, “I’ve never met a couple on a crapshoot. A wedding isn’t a gamble. Anything that is done for the relationship is good to consider.”
Also good to consider is Phil Waring as your wedding minister. “I don’t mind going the second mile for my clients. These are relationships, and they’re worth it.”
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