4 essential tips for choosing a wedding officiant (plus questions you need to ask!)
The officiant/celebrant of your ceremony has a pretty hefty job when you think about it: setting the tone, saying the right things, actually marrying you… it’s no small task. So we’re here to help you figure what types of officiants are out there, how to snag the right person for the job, and give you a few helpful tips for choosing a wedding officiant.
Tales from behind the altar: The many roles of a wedding officiant
I am an officiant in the state of Georgia. Recently a bride asked me, “What do you do when you arrive at the venue?” and I had a time explaining it. So, this piece is about what a minister/officiant does before, during and after a ceremony. I thought perhaps this might help couples understand how it works from my perspective.
Wedding processional order and template + our favorite unique twists
A processional is an important element of any wedding ceremony. We’re creating a special moment that separates the mundane, everyday life from the extraordinary, ceremonial moment of your wedding. I’m going to talk through a fairly traditional processional. Although I’ll be using the terms “bride” and “groom,” this doesn’t mean that ANY of these positions and traditions can’t be used by anyone in any way they want…
How to have a friend officiate a wedding… specifically, YOUR wedding!
This is a notion that is near and dear to my own heart because that’s how I got started as a professional officiant. My best friend asked me to perform her wedding ceremony, and her big fat Jewish-Lutheran-Pagan ceremony inspired me to become a Life-Cycle Celebrant.
Having a friend-officiate can be a lot of work — in the end, it is DIY project. But if it is something that you have your heart set on, there are ways to really make it work, and make it work well. So, as a friend-officiant turned professional, I’d like to offer some advice and suggestions for having a friend officiate at your wedding.