Weddings By Sandy

Many couples get married in their church, temple or religious community and don’t get to choose who will say the words or what words will be said that make them a married couple. I think couples who can choose who will marry them are very lucky and should make this choice by consciously choosing someone they trust. When making this very important decision couples should keep a few things in mind.

Are you comfortable with your officiant?
A good personality match is important when you are choosing your officiant. I once had a woman tell me about her wedding day experience when her officiant yelled at the guests and started discussing his drug and alcohol rehabilitation during the ceremony instead of focusing on the prepared text! Make sure your officiant checks out. Get some references from Wedding Wire or other unsolicited websites that allow brides to write about their vendors.

Does your officiant have a great speaking voice?
Great speakers understand how to enunciate correctly and use their voice like a musician uses their instrument to make the words they say have impact. They can speak well, are not monotone and are delight to hear. An officiant with a great speaking voice will bring your guest along on your ceremony journey; using humor, being spontaneous and most likely more than one tear will be shed. Knowing how to use a microphone is just as important. Great officiants realize at times they may need to use a lapel microphone and understand why the use of a hand held microphone makes it difficult to handle the rings and do some of the other rituals effectively or even gracefully!

Does your officiant understand how weddings work?
Someone who is new to the wedding industry may not have the experience to provide the expertise and support a needy or nervous bride in the way she deserves, with care and understanding. Unfortunately only the experience of doing lots of different kinds of weddings can provide this education. Experience is something that is earned.

Does your officiant have lots of text and ideas for you to choose from?
Couples choosing an officiant outside of the religious arena can have anything from apples to zebras in their wedding ceremony. Humor and other ideas are easily incorporated into your ceremony. I personally have officiated Dr Seuss weddings, red-neck ceremonies and sports oriented ceremonies. Basically, anything goes! It is your wedding shouldn’t you get what you want and allow your “couple” personality shine through?!

So think about what you want in an officiant before you book yours. Personality, a great speaking voice, choices in the content of your ceremony, experience and expertise are very valuable and important pieces of the puzzle when choosing the person that says those important words; “I now pronounce you husband and wife!”