Questions for any officiant - PEOPLE WITHOUT A CHURCH blog at BridesClub.com

713-822-1073
RevMilton@PeoplewithoutaChurch.org
"Getting to Know You"
What, When, Where & How to Ask Important Questions of Your Wedding Officiant
Identifying someone to officiate at your wedding can sometimes be a more daunting task than finding your betrothed - especially if you are not affiliated with a particular house of worship or if you are marrying outside of your faith. The key to finding an officiant who is in sync with you and your partner is to ask questions. Your wedding should be a customized ceremony, reflecting who you are as individuals and as a couple. To do this, your officiant must understand your beliefs, your values, and what makes your bond so special. Since it is easy to get caught up in the details of your reception, remember that your ceremony should be the most important part of your wedding day -treat it with reverence and find an officiant who does too.
To avoid the cookie cutter approach to weddings, we recommend asking these essential questions of a prospective wedding officiant before you walk down the aisle.
How do you create the ceremony? Do we have final approval over the script? Ideally, the officiant should collaborate with you every step of the way so that the ceremony is tailor-made for you. Don't let a boilerplate ceremony be imposed on you. We encourage you to personalize your ceremony.
When will you arrive? The officiant should be available at least 30 minutes before the ceremony in order to run through any last minute changes, and to coordinate details with readers, musicians, photographers and videographers. We are always there at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start.
Does your fee include a full rehearsal at the wedding venue? Many officiants don't rehearse, but a rehearsal is essential for a beautifully choreographed ceremony - and for calming last-minute nerves. We always attend the rehearsal, if at all possible.
Can we vary the traditional choreography of a wedding? You may wish to face your guests rather than the officiant, or have the officiant stand to the side instead of between you and your spouse. Make sure your officiant is open to these suggestions. Of course, you may alter the traditional.

What training do you have in creating and officiating at ceremonies? Many officiants have no specific training. Look for those who have a sound background in the history of ritual and ceremony. We hold a Masters in Divinity from a leading seminary in the Midwest.

Will you work with our other wedding professionals? The officiant should coordinate as needed with musicians to provide music cues for the ceremony, with photographers and videographers to assist them in getting the best shots, and with the staff of your venue to ensure that the ceremony will not conflict in any way with their requirements. Of course, other professionals are welcome.