What Do I do Now?

Wedding Officiants, Celebrants and Ministers are not all created equal. In fact, there are some officiants who have very little to no experience working with wedding couples.

According to the AAWO (American Association of Wedding Officiants): Some web based "officiants" are in fact not registered in your area but are web based referral agencies that seek a fee from officiants to receive a referral. Ask your officiant if they are a referral group or in fact an officiant registered in your city or town. Be sure to know who and what you are dealing with. Try to select an officiant actually registered and performing ceremonies in your local area not a referral group who charges referral fees.

If it is possible see if you can see the officiant in action at another wedding. Be sure to contact an officiant in time before booking a rental hall or location so you are sure you have a professional officiant for your ceremony.

Here are some questions you can ask to make sure the person you are working with the professional that will give you the best experience and is the perfect fit for you and your style of wedding. After all, it is YOUR day!

1. Are you registered/legally able to perform weddings in my location?

2. How long have you performed weddings?

3. About how many weddings you perform per year?

4. What training/experience have you had?

5. Will you travel to perform a ceremony? What are the travel costs?

6. What kind of ceremonies do you perform?

7. What are your rules as to photography/videography ?

8. Is pre-marital counseling required? If so, how much?

9. Do you have ceremony samples?

10. What are the fees charged? What are they for?

11. Do you have recent bridal recommendations?

12. Do you have other officiants whom you work with in case you cannot perform our ceremony at the last minute?

13. Do you require a contract?

14. Do you have referrals for other officiants we can speak with?