As with all things related to your wedding, it is better to be prepared before getting into something.

For the wedding ceremony, here are 5 things you and your fiance should discuss before meeting with your officiant.

Your ceremony is the heart and soul of your wedding and will likely be the most personal memory of this special day. So choosing an officiant is more critical than most people realize. Many couples, especially those who do not have a regular place of worship, plan in advance for everything but the wedding officiant! Personal referrals can give you a sense of security but make sure the officiant meets your individual needs and requirements. There are many things to consider:

The Officiant

So you’re looking for a wedding minister, eh?  Not as easy as it sounds, right?

The Officiant you choose should match your personal style and the type of wedding ceremony that you'd like to have. For instance, you may not choose the same minister for an informal wedding in the park versus a formal religious ceremony in a church. Your ceremony is the spiritual heart and soul of your wedding day. Yet, many people are uncertain about how to choose an officiant.  Some couples are initially intimidated when talking with the person who may be partnering with them on one of the most important days of their life.  If you and your fiance are already members of an established church, then the choice is easy. But if neither of you has an affiliation with a local church, you’ll want to be looking for a minister who can serve you well on your special day.  Here are some tips on where to look and what to ask.

The most common question I receive is "how much do you charge". That is a good question however, it should not be the first or most important question when hiring your wedding officiant. To often Brides and Grooms plan their very detailed wedding ceremony and reception right down to the detail and want their wedding to be perfect! BUT  They think of the Officant as the person who just marry's them. Yes the officiant does marry you, but they also create and perform your entire ceremony!

Your guests are sitting there watching and listening to your entire ceremony. If your officiant is not professional, does not speak clearly and with expression, does not have the ability to put together a well organized, well flowing ceremony for you, it can be a disaster.

Couples are surprised to find there is no mandatory design for a wedding ceremony. Ceremonies can be traditional or as unique as each couple; it’s your day – you can have it your way.

Although there are a few standard lines an officiant needs to incorporate into your ceremony, for the most part it is all about your sonnet from one heart to another. If you want a ceremony created especially for you, make sure to choose an officiant who acts as guide and co-creator, rather than a director.

The wedding vow is one of the things which makes the marriage more official. In fact, you have plenty of options when you are considering your beach wedding vows. One of the options is of course to use some traditional and standard wedding vow templates.

The wedding vow is one of the things which makes the wedding more official. In fact, you have plenty of options when you are considering your wedding vow. One of the options is of course to use some traditional and standard wedding vow templates. As a matter of fact, there is nothing wrong to use such templates. However, there are couples who would like to go for the option of writing the vow themselves. When you consider that it is one of the things to make your wedding official, it gives you a good reason to take the time to write it yourself.

Your wedding is like a stage play. You are the stars and your guests are the audience. You, the Officiant and your wedding party are the cast. You have a production crew, a budget, a timeline, script, costumes, props, a set, lighting, make-up, camera work, a rehearsal and a final performance.

Include a detailed map with your wedding invitations and a contact phone number for the day of the Ceremony. If your Ceremony is to begin at noon, invite your guests for 11:45am. If your invitation says 12:00 noon, most guests will not start arriving until just prior to noon or after and this will delay your Ceremony. With delays you will have a chain reaction of other delays such as your catering service. And if your vendors have another wedding to work after yours, delays will cause them to cut short their time at your Ceremony.