Lake Superior Bridal Magazine 2016 2016 Lake Superior Bridal Magazine | Page 5

Choosing Your Wedding Officiate
comfortable during the service in a folding chair. Or, the
suggestion of an agreement with an indoor facility as a
back-up in case of inclement weather.

You’re engaged! Amidst the hugs and flurry of excited
congratulations from family and friends you’re asked
about the date of the ceremony, a venue for the service
and reception and what kind of dress you’re hoping
to find. All very legitimate questions and ones that
many couples can answer because they’re the first to
get crossed off the never-ending list of things to do
before their special day.

The ceremony script should be personalized to the
couple. I share previous scripts as a template and work
with my couples to write their own. Some couples find
a ceremony script that fits them perfectly, most take
different paragraphs to piece theirs together and still
others will write their own completely. When I am
complimented on the ceremony, I am proud to tell
them that the couple wrote their own service. With my
officiate services it is entirely up to you to decide how
much, if any, religion is included. You make the decision
if you will have a sand, candle, marriage license signing
or another type of ceremony within your service. You
choose if you want music, scripture or poem readings, a
rehearsal or if you want to use a sound system during the
ceremony. (which I offer at a slight additional charge).

One thing that doesn’t get asked and usually doesn’t
even make the never-ending list of things to do is
“who is going to officiate your ceremony”? Not as
much fun to think about as decorations, dresses and
wedding cake flavors however, you’ll need an officiate
to perform your ceremony, sign your marriage license
and register it with the state to be legal. Unless you’re
planning on the clergy of your church, you will need
a person who has their credentials registered with
the state you are holding your ceremony. State laws
do vary, if you are in question, check with the state
marriage license office located in the court house.

If you are not enlisting the services of a Wedding
Planner, a thorough officiate should be able to conduct
your wedding rehearsal, should you want one. They are
also responsible for making sure your marriage license
has all the proper signatures and information required
and must mail it to the appropriate state marriage license
bureau within five days after the ceremony.

Every officiant will have a different way to handle
the weddings they preside. I am basing this article
on the way I officiate weddings. I specialize in nondenominational and non-traditional weddings and
consider it an honor to be included in your special
day. My goal is to make your wedding ceremony to be
exactly as you’ve pictured it. I believe that you and
your fiancee’ should be comfortable with whom you
choose to perform your ceremony. If at all possible,
ask for a face to face meeting BEFORE you make the
decision to book your date with an officiate. That
isn’t always the case if you’re from out of the area. If a
meeting isn’t possible, personal calls, texts and emails
should be utilized.

I always tell my couples to laugh and enjoy the time you
spend together planning your wedding, those moments
are just as memorable as your wedding day itself. Again,
I can only speak for my services, but during the ceremony
it isn’t unusual for the bride, groom and myself to form
an intimate bubble. A conscientious officiate will allow
that to happen while still making the guests