You have meet with and hired your Officiant and now you are wondering, is this Officiant the perfect officiant for my wedding?

Here are some attributes your officiant should possess:

A good personality is very important.
Did you connect with your Officiant? Will they be able to handling dealing with the difficult family members with grace and humor? Are they calm and mature.

Have a good 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 monotonous and are delight to hear. An officiant with a great speaking voice will carry the audience along on the ceremony journey; using humor, being spontaneous and most likely more than one tear will be shed.

Know how to use a microphone and understand how to get the appropriate sound.
Knowing how to use a microphone is very important. Does your officiant know and understand how to use a microphone? A microphone is a tool that allows the guests in the back row to hear and understand what is going on up front. Great officiants realize at times they may need to use a lapel microphone and understand why the use of a hand held microphone can make it difficult to handle the rings and do some of the other rituals effectively or even gracefully!

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.

Is your Officiant tech savvy?
Does your officiant know how to use a computer to prepare your ceremony and contact you via email to provide a draft and updates? Do they provide alternative payment methods other than checks and cash?

Have lots of ideas, be creative and open.
Does your officiant offer you multiple ideas for your ceremony? Readings, humor and other ideas are easily incorporated into almost any ceremony which will allow your “couple” personality to shine through?!

Does your Officiant have a good command of the English language?
In the US most people speak and write in English, can your Officiant write special words for you if necessary?

Will your Officiant be on time?
It is never appropriate for an officiant to be late! A good officiant will always be early. Why? They need to connect with vendors such as the caterer, the disk jockey and the photographer. They will need to make sure the ceremony site is set-up for the ceremony appropriately. The perfect officiant will comfort a nervous bride; support a jittery groom or an anxious mom. I hope your officiant arrives at least 30 minutes early.

Does your Officiant have a contract?
It makes sense to expect to see a contract. The contract will cover you in case something happens. When there is a contract the Officiant can tell couples what is expected of them and what the couple should expect from the Officiant, things such as; what, when, where, why and how, terms for payments, the deposit, travel and rehearsals can be covered. It also gives everyone a sense of relief that the services being promised have some legal ramifications if they are not met.

Is the Officiant a professional?
Being a professional means your Officiant will dress the part, be a leader during the rehearsal and ceremony, use their emotional intelligence when working with people, be polite, and diplomatic. Keeping their promises to you and delivering the ceremony as promised.

Does your Officiant have a backup plan?
Life happens! Does your Officiant have someone they can count on to call upon in time of personal need?

Insurance
Is your officiant covered with some sort of insurance?

Has your Officiant explained all aspects of your ceremony?
One of the nicest things about being able to have an Officiant is that your officiant should be able to explain all of the aspects related to your ceremony. This understanding will help you and your Officiant to create the ceremony of your dreams.

I hope this list helps you to find the Perfect Officiaint.