Asking the right person to officiate your wedding is kind of a big deal. Not only do they ensure a smooth flow of the wedding ceremony, but this person is ultimately responsible for making your wedding official. We turned to the experts to find out the top five things to ask your officiant before “popping the question.”
#1: According to Meredith Richmond from Ceremonies by Meredith, it is essential to ask your officiant beforehand if they will reflect your faith/spirituality/interfaith or choice for an agnostic ceremony. “Do they customize the ceremony to your personal beliefs, or do they have a standard way that they speak to faith and/or spirituality?”
#2: She also deems it a good idea to ask your officiant whether they have a general ceremony script and if they can personalize the ceremony specifically for you.
#3 Christa Deane from Mountain High Weddings emphasizes that you have to be at ease knowing that your officiant can sign your wedding license. “California officiants can’t sign a Nevada license without jumping through hoops.”
#4 According to Meghan Ruiz from Meghan Ruiz Ceremonies, couples ask if they have to write their own vows and if officiants can help them with that. “Writing and reading your own vows is personal. Some couples choose to, and others do not. If you’re feeling lost or don’t know how to start, your wedding officiant will give you some helpful tips to creating meaningful vows.”
#5 Stephanie DioDato stresses the importance of having a conversation with your officiant before booking. “How do they communicate with couples before a ceremony (phone calls, emails, virtual meetings, in-person consultations)? Getting married is an intimate affair; your officiant mustn’t be a complete stranger at the altar. You want to make sure the person who will stand next to you and usher you into marriage is someone you feel comfortable with, someone whose vibe resonates with yours. No one wants awkwardness on their wedding day. If you seek a custom ceremony experience, this requires authentic communication and collaboration between an officiant and the couple. The process of discussing your ceremony is fun and meaningful – I promise – and often opens a deep dialogue between couples.”
There you have it! Are you still searching for an officiant that will share your wedding vision? Check out our vendor guide here.
