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Choosing Your Wedding Officiant
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The person you choose to officiate your ceremony will have a lasting impact on your wedding memories. Consider the traditions you would like to follow in your ceremony. Will it be a religious ceremony? An interfaith wedding? A civil ceremony?
Where does one find an officiant? If you attend a church, temple, or synagogue, you should consider the religious leader at your place of worship. On the other hand, If you have a wedding consultant, ask who he or she recommends to perform your wedding ceremony. Many times your wedding consultant will have worked with several ministers and will make a personal reference. You can search for your wedding consultant in "yellow pages" or browse the Internet. Many of the ministers are very flexible in their schedule and will be willing to officiate your wedding. If you know a judge, they may be willing to officiate your ceremony.
Talk to your prospective officiant as you would with anyone else. Ask specific questions. Look for someone who is flexible and receptive to your needs and priorities. Ask about his or her attitudes toward personalized vows, readings, and poems
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First of all, ask if the officiant will be willing to come to your wedding site if it is not in a church. Also make sure if you want him or her to give a sermon during the ceremony. Ask if he can suggest any special celebration that might be included in your ceremony.
If you are unfamiliar with the officiant, interview several potential candidates. Ask to see the referrals from other couples the officiant has worked with recently and find time to check with at least two of the referrals. Take your time in finalizing the officiant, do not yield if you are asked to make an on the spot decision. You may want to at least speak to other potential officiants.
The decision you make will impact a lifetime of memories. Help make the memories happy ones by choosing the right wedding officiant. Remember, the couple should be the focal point - not the officiant.
Also you can ask a special person in your life to perform the service. He or she can obtain a minister's license by writing to the Universal Life Church . The process takes one or two days.
Many religious celebrants require couples to undergo premarital counseling. This could be just a few questions or a series of meetings to discuss your relationship, faith, and commitment to one another.
Inquire about the wedding requirements, fees, and restrictions if any. Discuss the officiant with your partner before making a decision. You may also consider getting input from your close friends or immediate family.
Get the officiant's phone number (including cell number) and confirm the officiant's availability a few days before the wedding. If you have prepared your wedding vows or a wedding poem, discuss this with the officiant. Make sure that you have complied with all the legal requirements to make your wedding official.
You can check the following sites to get the list of professional officiants.
http://www.weddingministers.com/
http://www.afwpi.com/Officiants/index.html
Before deciding, be sure to consider the following:
- You are comfortable with the officiant you have chosen.
- He or she is flexible and can complement the theme of your wedding.
- The officiant is willing to customize your ceremony to your needs.
- He or she has the appropriate religious affiliation The fees and/ or gratuity is reasonable.
- He or she is conversant with the marriage laws of the state where you plan to hold your wedding.
Make sure your wedding officiant adds to the elegance of your wedding day.
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