Wedding Officiants

Tracking down a wedding officiant can be a little intimidating. Perhaps you remember a time when it was difficult to obtain unless you were among the "regular churched"! But times have changed, and hiring a wedding officiant for now standard procedure.

In principle, the bride-to be located in one of two camps: Either they regularly favorite church and minister, which could be a long-time friend of the family, or they should find one with the help of placing in the mouth or web sites.

The latter often costs more, but also allows for greater flexibility. Depending on your tastes and religions, often can be found Judge, a Catholic priest to marry you on the street, a rabbi to officiate at interfaith weddings, a non-denominational officiant who invites you to write your own vows, and so on.

How to find officiants

A good national directory to find officiants Catholic is www.rentapriest.com.

If you are stuck on the idea, ask sellers. Your florist or exit probably familiar with local options.

Another great way to find officiants is to visit a big wedding forum, as in the hub, and following on the boards of your local geographic area. You can often get an idea of the taste, availability, flexibility, and even the appearance of a popular local officiant.

When you want to order officiant?

Some officiants beginning of the book. If you really particular about whom you want to do a service and can not budge on the date, try to book more than six months prior to the meeting. Some couples book a year ahead.

How many officiants charge?

A minister at his own church may not charge anything at all, but can receive donations. In this case, in the amount of $ 100-200 donation is about average. Ask the minister himself, if there are any doubts.

In officiant you engage in self-determine their own prices. Rates generally range from $ 250-600, but some known officiants may charge more.

Do we invite these people?

By custom, you invite your officiant their rehearsal dinner as a guest. You also invite the officiant and his or her spouse to your official invitation to the reception, as well as other guests. If the officiant is an old friend of the family, he or she may abandon the moratorium, but a proper invitation. You are not expected to be invited officiant children.

Can you use a friend as officiant?

This is done all the time, and can make a very personal wedding. A father, mother, or a friend, who introduced you can do to an amazing event. Rest assured that someone is to select a convenient speaking to a large crowd, and brush up on your state laws and licensing requirements. Here is a good site to start your research:

www.northernway.org / marriagelaws.html

Selected friend or family member can become a priest "and instantly on the Internet" at the Universal Life Church, which in some areas, allowing them to perform legal weddings. Again, be sure that your State laws. Many times, ordained ministers in the ULC will also have to register with their state and obtain a license before they can practice. Call your local county clerk for clarification.

Universal Life Church: www.ulc.org

Should I meet with the officiant before or after the order, and that I should expect to see?

Ideally, one would allow officiant "getting to know you" meeting before you book them, but not all will. Most at least, to offer telephone interview, which helps you to understand how they are consistent with your personal style.

In the first meeting, the officiant will usually tell you about his or her origin, to discuss logistics, raise any premarital counseling requirements, ask a few questions about your personal history, and show you a sample script ceremony. This is a good time to discuss the unification of special ceremonies or personal vows, educating interfaith issues, and find out whether your officiant your plans to attend the rehearsal.