How to Find the Right Wedding Officiant for Your Wedding
You Do Have Choices Wedding Officiants---And Some are Better than Others
 For some couples, there is a wedding officiant in mind whether it is their local pastor, rabbi, or priest where they attend religious services together. The problem comes in when even religious couples wish to marry outside of the church building; that is to say, they want to be married in a more secular location.
For non-religious couples, many believe that wedding officiants are everywhere and are a phone call or web click away. There is a problem with that mode of thinking because it's harder than many may think to find the right wedding officiant who is going to be leading their wedding ceremony.
No matter if the wedding is going to be religious or secular, it is vitally important for the wedding officiant you choose to fit the mood of your wedding, actualize your beliefs, and be eloquent when speaking before a group of people.
Not All Wedding Officiants are Justices of the Peace or Religious Leaders
Wedding officiants come in all shapes, sizes, beliefs, genders, and personalities. Wedding officiants are, after all, just people who are legally licensed to perform weddings. In some states, for a small fee, your best friend could perform your wedding ceremony.
Wedding officiants come from all types of backgrounds and abilities to do their jobs; some well, some not as well. What is an important factor to look at is that your wedding officiant knows you, your needs, and aspires with you to create a memorable wedding ceremony.
Your choices in wedding officiants break down into the following categories:
1. Clergy. Local clergy are also wedding officiants who have a house of worship. Clergy wedding officiants usually also have their own rules when performing wedding ceremonies, depending on religious belief. Some clergy wedding officiators require you to attend their house of worship a few times, some others may require that you go through their premarital counselling program, and others still may require either the bride or groom to become a member of that particular religious belief before they marry you.
2. Justice of the Peace. The web, phone book, and your local county clerk's office have listings of Justice's of the Peace who are wedding officiants. The thing to watch out here is don't assume that just because a wedding officiator you found in the phone book or on the web is licensed to perform wedding ceremonies.
3. A friend or relative. While the idea of having a friend or relative as your wedding officiant might sound appealing, again consider if who you have chosen is comfortable speaking before a group of people. Performing a wedding ceremony is, in many ways, similar to giving a presentation in front of a group of strangers---and some "great" people can freeze up.
A friend or relative can be licensed for one day to perform a wedding and some people go through The Universal Life Church to become ministers to perform weddings as a profession.
No matter what choice you make, make sure your wedding officiator is fully certified and licensed in your country and state.
The Top Things to Consider with Wedding Officiators and Their (and your) Duties
Some people may argue that it's enough to just "find someone, book him/her over the phone" and you're all set.
Not so fast.
Consider this: You have spent a lot of time and thought pondering dress colors, cake types, and reception locations. Shouldn't you spend at least as much time with a potential wedding officiant candidate?
Wedding officiants, again, have different personality types and can add to or take away from the atmosphere and mood of your wedding ceremony. Take time out to spend some time with a wedding officiator to see if you personal enjoy the wedding officiator's company. Ask to see or if you can contact their references.
When meeting with potential wedding officiators, bring along a list of your thoughts, ideas, and vows you might like to incorporate. In doing so and discussing these items with a wedding officiator, you will be able to determine if a particular wedding officiant is a good fit.
The goal is to feel as though you know your wedding officiant as a friend who's on your side in making your wedding ceremony everything it can be.
Additional Resources for Wedding Officiators:
Find a Minister through the Universal Life Church (non-denominational)
How to Perform a Wedding
Search for Wedding Officiants
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