The Importance of a Professional Wedding Officiant.

As The Wedding Gal, I have had the honor of marrying couples in my community for many years now and I love and adore each one of them. It is important I know that a couple only gets one chance to make it perfect. Professionalism, promptness, caring, understanding, and customizing are key elements of all my weddings, elements I will never sacrifice. 

You need to know how to choose a professional officiant for your special day. The wedding officiant is the most important aspect of your ceremony. He or she must be a professional. The days are gone of having to use a justice of the peace if you do not want.This industry often goes unchecked because a lot of officiants are ministers and Justices of the Peace, which people simply assume are always professionals. The truth is, while the vast majority are, some can have questionable reputations in the industry just like any other business. The stories of showing up late or not at all, answering cell phones during the ceremony, refusing to customize your ceremony and vows, getting your names wrong, or countless other mistakes are endless and an absolute nightmare for any bride and groom.

How much does an officiant cost? Oh, the dreaded price! Officiant fees can range between $150 and $450. Now in the overall scheme of your wedding, this is one of the smallest fees you will pay for one of the largest aspects for your wedding. After all, you can’t get married without one. Don’t necessarily focus on an initial price. Focus on what the officiant can and will do for you. Consider that this is the person who will guide you, provide direction and leadership, assist with problems, counsel you, and take care of you through your ceremony. You don’t want someone who will simply charge a smaller fee just to show up and “get it done”

Most ceremonies are religious in nature to some degree. However, you do not have to have a religious ceremony. Your ceremony can be simply spiritual or not religious at all. Be sure to ask because some wedding officiants will only do religious ceremonies. Most wedding officiants will do any type of ceremony and do not require you take marriage classes.

Take these tips to heart and take them with you to the officiant!

• Interview and book your officiant early. Just like any other vendor, they are a first come first served business and their schedules book fast. Be prepared to give a 50% deposit or to pay them in full to book your date.
• You should be able to ask questions about their experience. Your officiant should have vast knowledge about ceremonies and traditions specific to your needs. They should also be willing to answer any questions you may have about your special day. If they seem hesitant, walk away and look for someone else.
• Ask about refunds or rescheduling. Most officiants will not refund as they have to turn business down to book your day, but should be willing to reschedule if the new day is available.
• Ask about fees associated with delays on the day of your wedding. An officiant cannot just “hang out” all night waiting for you to get started so they may impose timelines. The most common is the ceremony will need to start no later than 30 minutes past the scheduled time or they will charge you.
• A good officiant should not tell you they have to charge you extra for a mandatory rehearsal. If you absolutely want one, that is up to you and they will charge you for the extra day. It is not really necessary for an officiant who knows what they are doing. I have only been to one rehearsal as an officiant.  It is usually reserved for extremely large wedding parties and lengthy ceremonies.
• An officiant should file the marriage license and should not charge extra for this service. All they have to do is sign it and mail it to the courthouse. They will ask for the license when they arrive for the ceremony so make sure you have it handy.
• Ask about customizing your ceremony. Your officiant should be willing to say what you want and should have no problems allowing you to add what you desire, such as prayers, blessings, etc. Be wary of an officiant that only allows what they want.
• They should also have suggestions, tips, etc., to assist you with the creation of your vows. You are paying for their experience.
• Make sure they will arrive a little early to assist in ceremony set-up. They are not just there to read and leave. The officiant is the conductor of your entire ceremony. Most wedding officiants will have different packages from which to choose.

People never ask what a male officiant will wear because it is usually a suit and tie. If your officiant is female, however, you will need to make sure of a few things. 

1. Outfit – It should be conservative and colorless. Black or navy is most appropriate, unless you ask for something else.
2. Hair – Hair should be neat and out of the eyes. A bun is best or at least an up-do if hair is long.
3. Jewelry – No tacky jewelry please! Keep it simple and elegant.
4. Make-up – Minimal is mandatory. You do not want your officiant to overshadow the bride or look bad in photos. Our job is to blend in, not stand out.

Finally, make sure you bond with your officiant. There should be a level of comfort and easiness about them. Each couple is different and not everyone is always a good fit. Don’t be afraid to use your instincts. If it doesn’t feel right, walk away and interview someone else. Once you have found someone you like, do not wait to book. Lock them down immediately to reserve your date.

Finally, although wedding venues are amazing, you may have a different dream. Did you know you can get married at the airport, in a park, your favorite restaurant, in a skating rink, the top floor of a building that overlooks the city, or anywhere else you desire? Well you can. So consider what your day means to you and follow your dream!

The Wedding Gal ®