Choose the Right Wedding Officiant
For some wedding couples, the officiant selection is high on their
priority “to do” list, while for others they may have all the wedding
day details planned and then………
Who is going to perform our ceremony?!?!?!?
So
it happens. I have couples
book my services over a year in advance, while others call me just a few
days before the ceremony.
But whether you have time or you are scrambling at the last minute…..
How do you know you are choosing the right wedding officiant?
You must consider many important factors when you begin the wedding officiant selection process.
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How much input will I be able to offer during the writing of our ceremony script? |
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Can we have a non-religious ceremony? |
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My fiancé and I have different faith backgrounds. Can we include traditions from both faiths where all the guests appreciate the ceremony? |
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We have been previously divorced. Is that a
problem? |
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Is there a meaningful way our children from previous
relationships have a part in the ceremony? |
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Will we be able to review the ceremony script before
the wedding day? |
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What will be the costume of the officiant? |
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Will the officiant be reverent and serious or light
hearted inserting some humor? |
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Does the officiant require counseling before the wedding?
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We want our wedding to have some non-traditional
elements. Can you suggest ways to make our ceremony
unique? |
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I have no idea what ceremony style we want. Where
do we start? |
The short answer to these questions is: “This is your wedding!
It should be performed your way!”
Some couples prepare their own ceremony script, while for others; I will
write and re-write the script until it meets the approval of the wedding
couple. I prepare each
ceremony script so that it reflects the personality, style, and
traditions of the wedding couple. Ceremonies
can be structured to be very formal or with a more relaxed feel to match
the personality of the couple and the venue.
For many ministers, interfaith weddings pose a challenge that some are
unable to overcome. I have
performed many interfaith ceremonies that are very well received by all
the guests attending. Some
of the interfaith ceremonies I have performed merge two faith beliefs
into a new family circle.
Whether the couple comes from different denominational Christian
backgrounds or from completely different faith religions, the ceremony
can be written to honor the faiths of those in attendance while
expressing the couple’s love for each other.
Jewish-Catholic, Christian-Muslim, Hindu-Muslim,
Buddhist-Christian, Agnostic-Christian, or any other faith
combinations…. The ceremony can be beautiful and meaningful for all in
attendance.
It
is sometimes unnerving when interviewing wedding officiants because
you’re not quite sure what prerequisites they will require.
Previously divorced, different faith backgrounds, children from a
previous relationship? Have
children? There are many
ways for them to have a meaningful role in the ceremony.
There are no roadblocks.
I do not require pre-marital counseling, but can make myself
available for those who desire counseling.
I will not refuse any couple, the right to be married, regardless
of one’s past, race, color, religion, or denominational background.
If a man and a woman love each other and have a desire to be
married, then they should be married!
You may say, “We have never been married and have not attended many
weddings. We have no idea
what to include in our ceremony or where to start.”
No problem! I will
help you with options and suggestions for your ceremony, so that the
final script will flow comfortably and be everything you would want it
to be.
