How to choose your Wedding Ceremony Officiant

It is a fact that the wedding reception gains the most number of discussions before the wedding;
it is the actual ceremony where you must focus your attention. You will have to meet the officiant or the prospective officiants before the wedding ceremony to discuss about it and any such requirements that you must consider before the wedding.
Find out if the officiant is an open-minded person who tries to incorporate your ideas into the ceremony, which would help you to decide whether you want him or them to officiate.

There are certain questions you must ask, and they are the following:

• Will the officiant deliver a speech or a sermon?
• Will the officiant show you the sermon so you can review it before the ceremony, and if necessary, then provide some inputs?
• At what time should the officiant come for the rehearsal?
• Does the officiant think that counseling is required before the wedding?
• Will the officiant accept personal non-secular inputs for the wedding ceremony, like vows, songs and readings?
• What will be the costume of the officiant?
• Is it necessary to bring the license of marriage to the ceremony, or is signing it required before the ceremony?
• Does the officiant know of any wedding site, in case you have not already zeroed in on one?
• If the officiant also acts as the officiant of the site, then are there are restrictions there that you need to know before hand like, tossing items, dress code, décor, music, photography and videography?
• What are the items that the officiant can provide and what are the things that you must make arrangements? Such things to consider are, microphone, isle runners, pews etc.
• What is the fee for the ceremony? Or is to be considered as a donation?

Important Things to Consider

The personal temperament should go hand in hand with the vision of the officiant as you have in mind.
That should also set the mood for the wedding.
Some officiants may posses a serious and formal demeanor, while others may be casual and friendly types who add their own special humor to the officiating process.

In case the officiating person bears no relation to you, you must think out about your comfort level with him or her and if you would be happy to see this person as your officiant, because he carries out the most crucial part of the wedding.
A wedding takes place between two people to make them man and wife, and the officiant is the first person to declare this to the world.
You should have a rapport with the officiant before you make him an everlasting part of this happiest and closest moment of your entire life.

Do not shy away from discussing personal affairs with the officiant before the big day.
He or she can be there for you to resolve problems that can be spiritual and mundane including the conflicts within your family members, if any such need arises.

You must not forget to invite your officiant to the dinner rehearsal also.
It’s a friendly move from your side and also very becoming.
This is also a terrific way you can introduce your family members and friends to the officiant, in case they are unaware as to who is the individual chosen for the purpose.

Future Readings:
The Wedding Planner & Organizer
The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner & Organizer [binder edition]: Worksheets, Checklists, Etiquette, Calendars, and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions