How To Choose The Right Wedding Officiant
A lot of people are involved in making a wedding a success. One of the most important of these people, however, is the officiant. Simply put, this is the person who officiates or conducts the wedding ceremony and oversees your vow exchange. Officiants can be religious professionals, or they may simply have the legal ability to perform a wedding ceremony. Either way, you’ll want to put care into choosing the best one for your big day.
Pricing
Unless you have an unlimited wedding budget, you’ll want to inquire about an officiant’s pricing structure. For example, is the fee all-inclusive? Or, if you’re having a destination wedding, like in Maui, are there extra fees for travel? You need to know what you’ll be expected to pay and what is included in the price. From there, you can compare an officiant’s fees to average officiant fees in the area to ensure you’re getting a fair deal.
Personalization
The best wedding officiants don’t approach every single ceremony in the same way. Instead, they’ll take time to get to know you, your preferences, and the general “vibe” you want your wedding to have. Whether that’s a very serious and formal feel or something more casual and laid back, pick an officiant who is going to match your desired energy and put emphasis on what you want.
Experience
Experience is not an absolute must in an officiant. After all, some people have friends or family members do the job. With that said, experience definitely doesn’t hurt. If you’re going to go to the trouble of hiring a professional, look for someone who has performed diverse weddings in the past. If possible, ask to see videos of them officiating so you can get an idea of their style. You can also read reviews or talk to other couples who have used the officiant. Generally, the more couples an officiant has served, the more likely they are to be adept at the job.
Your officiant plays a big role in how your wedding goes. So, as you’re choosing the flowers and the decor, don’t overlook the importance of hiring the right officiant. It can ultimately make a major difference in how satisfied you are with your special day.
