Choosing a wedding or marriage officiant, celebrant, minister, justice of the peace officer, etc. for your wedding

You will want to choose someone who will conduct your ceremony in a way that’s comfortable to you, and your partner or family. For a wedding, you’ll want to meet with the officiant several months before your wedding day to discuss a variety of issues.

First, a Phone Call:

Is the officiant available on the scheduled date of your event?

How much experience does the officiant have with the type of service you are requesting?

Does the Officiant offer a pre-wedding consultation at no charge, or is there a fee for their time?

Are there holy days or restrictions on the day you have scheduled?

What information should you bring to your initial meeting?

How much does the officiant charge for presiding over the ceremony?

Are there any additional fees for travel, customizing the ceremony, filing the required legal paperwork, etc?

Can the Officiant travel to your event location? How are travel fees calculated?

What is the officiant's personal philosophy about the importance and purpose of this event?

How much experience does your officiant have in regard to your faith tradition(s), and how will he/she incorporate those traditions into the ceremony?

Which religious tradition or seminary ordained this officiant? You may ask him/her to bring documentation to your initial meeting.

Is he/she willing to bring sample ceremonies to your scheduled meeting?

Is he/she willing to bring references to your scheduled meeting?

Ask if you can have references (and then call them!) Is the person giving the reference a friend or relative? How long has he/she known the Officiant, and in what way?

The Initial Consultation:

Will the officiant have a sermon prepared? Can you review it beforehand? (Some Officiants speak beautifully yet extemporaneously (from the heart), after getting to know the couple or family. Decide if you need to know in advance what he/she will say.)

Does the Officiant provide a back-up in the event of his/her emergency, and if so, whom?

Are there any religious documents you will have to sign the day of the event?

Does your Officiant offer a certificate of your ceremony that you can keep?

How much personal information would the Officiant like to have in order to speak personally at the ceremony? Is there a form for this purpose?

Does "booking" the Officiant require a deposit and a signed contract? When is the balance due?

For a wedding:

Is the officiant available for the rehearsal?

Will you be able to write your own vows, or use your own readings, music or rituals?

Is there any pre-wedding counseling requirement? If so, what are the specifics?

Would the officiant like to come to the wedding reception? (If yes, perhaps he or she can offer an added blessing before the party begins. Make sure to send him/her a wedding invitation just as you would any other guest, if he/she is invited to stay. Otherwise, most officiants will assume they are not invited to stay.)

For a funeral:

Will you or your guests be able to add to the ceremony and/or add special memories of the deceased?

Will family and friends be allowed to add personal memories to the eulogy portion? Should they be formally typed and read, or will the group simply be given time to share informally?

Will the Officiant be available after the ceremony for emotional support, if needed?

Small, but Important Details:

Inform the officiant of any family conflicts that might affect the ceremony (divorce, remarriages, etc.) and ask if he or she can help make these situations easier to handle.

Best wishes for a meaningful and beautiful ceremony from InterfaithOfficiants.com!