Choosing an Officiant for Your Wedding
How to Find the right Officiant for Your Wedding Ceremony
Aug 26, 2008
The officiant is a big part of the ceremony and therefore you want your officiant to be open to all of your ideas. Make sure they are flexible and comfortable performing the type of ceremony you desire.
If a traditional officiant is not what you had in mind there are many different options. One can choose to be married by a Judge, a Notary, a Clerk at the County Courthouse, a Justice of the Peace or even a close friend. Just make sure the person is approved in the state you are getting married in to legally marry you.
With whomever you choose, take the time to meet with them and ask them any questions you might have about your ceremony. Below is a list of questions for you to ask or use as a guide in creating your own questions.
Questions to ask before the first meeting might include:
- Is the officiant available on the day of the wedding? If they are already booked on your day, ask if they are open to performing multiple ceremonies on one day.
- Are there any documents you need to bring with you to the first meeting?
- Does the church, or more specifically the officiant have any rules or restrictions?
- Is the officiant open to any non-traditional ideas such as personalized vows, readings, poems, or music?
- Will the officiant be giving a sermon or a speech?
- Is there any prewedding counseling required?
- What is the fee for the ceremony? What does the fee include?
Here is a list of questions to ask during the first meeting:
- May you tour the sanctuary or the room where the ceremony will be held?
- What does the site provide and what would you have to provide? Are there any extra costs involved in the site providing certain details?
- Are there any restrictions on music or readings?
- Will the officiant be giving you advice on vows or proposed readings?
- Will you be able to hear the sermon before hand and are you allowed to have any input?
- Is there any type of dress code?
- Should you bring your marriage license to the ceremony or will that be taken care of ahead of time?
- Are you allowed to have a videographer/ photographer during the ceremony? Are there restrictions on where they can be throughout the ceremony?
- When will the rehearsal be held? How long will it take?
- Will the officiant and his or her spouse like to come to the rehearsal dinner? If so, will he or she play a role as in giving a blessing or any other type of speech?
Remember that with any part of your wedding planning it is important to include your future spouse in the decision making process.
 |
