Picking a Wedding Officiate

The officiate a couple chooses is an important part of the wedding ceremony. Surprisingly, many couples wait until the last minute to select one which doesn't give them much time to make a decision.

If at all possible, try to pick an officiate early on in your wedding planning. Not only does this give you enough time to "shop around", as it were, for the right officiate, but it may also save you money. The closer it gets to your wedding date the more an officiate might charge you. Be prepared to pay an officiate the same as you would for any other wedding service.

Here are some other things you need to consider when selecting an officiate:

How religious will your ceremony be?

If you are a member of a specific religious affiliation, you will want an officiate who is familiar with your faith If you are not religious, you have other options such as a justice of the peace.

How experienced is the officiate?

It is relatively easy to become a wedding officiate. In some states, even a friend of a family member can perform the ceremony so long as they are certified. Other states are more strict. Be aware of the local laws before starting your search.

You may want to ask a potential officiate how many ceremonies he has performed, what sort of training he has received and how many weddings he performs each year.

Can you customize your ceremony?

If you want a nontraditional ceremony, but the officiate performs each wedding exactly the same, then you need to know this upfront, so be sure to ask. This is also a good time to evaluate the personality of the officiate as this will set the tone for the entire ceremony.