EventPro Magazine - Spring 2015 EventPro Magazine Fall 2016 | Page 30
What the Pros Know
Choosing a Wedding Officiate
By Cathy Holman, Wedding Officiate
You’re engaged! Amidst the hugs and flurry of excited
congratulations from family and friends you’re asked about
the date of the ceremony, a venue for the service and reception
and what kind of dress you’re hoping to find. All very
legitimate questions and ones that many couples can
answer because they’re the first to get crossed off the
never-ending list of things to do before their special day.
One thing that doesn’t get asked and usually doesn’t even
make the never-ending list of things to do is “who is going
to officiate your ceremony”? Not as much fun to think about
as decorations, dresses and wedding cake flavors however,
you’ll need an officiate to perform your ceremony, sign your
marriage license and register it with the state to be legal.
Unless you’re planning on the clergy of your church, you
will need a person who has their credentials registered
with the state you are holding your ceremony. State laws
do vary, if you are in question, check with the state marriage
license office located in the court house.
Every officiant will have a different way to handle the
weddings they preside. I am basing this article on the way
I officiate weddings. I specialize in non-denominational
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and non-traditional weddings and consider it an honor to
be included in your special day. My goal is to make your
wedding ceremony to be exactly as you’ve pictured it. I
believe that you and your fiancee’ should be comfortable
with whom you choose to perform your ceremony. If at all
possible, ask for a face to face meeting BEFORE you make
the decision to book your date with an officiate. That isn’t
always the case if you’re from out of the area. If a meeting
isn’t possible, personal calls, texts and emails should be
utilized.
Be sure to bring your list of questions you might have to
your meeting. When I meet with a couple, I ask questions to
determine what you’re hoping to accomplish and try to offer
ideas and helpful suggestions. A good officiate will try to
anticipate the needs of the couple and their guests, for
example if it’s an outdoor wedding with no chairs, I will ask
if there are grandparents or elderly guests that we be more
comfortable during the service in a folding chair. Or, the
suggestion of an agreement with an indoor facility as a
back-up in case of inclement weather.