Your wedding ceremony will be the heart of your big day – so it goes without saying that choosing your officiant is one of the most important decisions you’ll make!
Whether you’re planning a traditional service or something informal and relaxed, your wedding officiant will not only lead your ceremony but also help to set the tone for your entire event.
So, where should you begin with finding an officiant that aligns with your values and wedding vision? Read on for our tips on choosing the right officiant for your special day – including some essential questions to ask before signing any contracts.
Consider The Ceremony You Want
Before you start looking for an officiant, it’s important to consider the type of ceremony you actually want. Do you want a traditional religious ceremony, a simple civil service, or something personalized, fun and unique?
The answer to this question will significantly influence the kind of officiant you choose, so sit down with your partner to discuss your dream ceremony in detail. Make sure you talk about any cultural, religious or family traditions you might want to incorporate, and the level of formality and customization you’d like.
Understanding the type of ceremony you want will help you narrow down your options, ensuring the officiant you choose is aligned with your vision. For example:
- Religious ceremony: If you prefer a traditional religious service, you may want a priest, minister, rabbi, or other spiritual leader from your faith.
- Civil ceremony: For a non-religious or secular ceremony, a civil officiant such as a justice of the peace or a licensed celebrant may be your preference. These officiants are usually flexible and can tailor the ceremony to reflect your vision.
- Personalized ceremony: If you’re looking for a ceremony that’s deeply personal, you could even consider asking a close friend or family member to become ordained online! This option allows for a more intimate and customized ceremony (but make sure you check the legal requirements in your area first).
Do Your Research
Once you have a clear idea of the type of ceremony you want, it’s time to start researching potential officiants! Start by browsing online wedding directories or doing a simple Google search for local officiants in your area. Make sure you read through any reviews from previous couples, too.
Personal recommendations can also be invaluable, so be sure to ask friends or family members who may have recently tied the knot for suggestions. Other wedding vendors you have already locked in (such as your wedding planner, venue or photographer) are also a great source of knowledge and can give you trusted recommendations based on their past experiences.
Set Up a Meeting
After narrowing down your list of potential officiants, it’s important to set up a meeting with them – either in person or virtually. Choosing an officiant that aligns with your wedding vision is essential, so this meeting will help you figure out if your personalities mesh and you feel comfortable with them.
During your meeting, pay attention to their communication style and whether they seem genuinely interested in your wedding. A good officiant will listen to your ideas, offer suggestions, and make you feel at ease. They should also be transparent about their process and what you can expect on the day of your wedding.
If possible, see if you can review some of their previous work. Most officiants will be able to provide examples of past ceremonies, such as videos or scripts. This can give you a clearer idea of their ceremony style and whether it aligns with your own.
How Much Does a Wedding Officiant Cost?
Just like your other wedding vendors, the cost of a wedding officiant can vary greatly depending on the level of service you require. For example: an officiant for a simple courthouse wedding is going to be much cheaper than an officiant designing a fully customized ceremony!
Some celebrants will offer different packages depending on your needs, such as legals-only, elopements and fully-inclusive ceremonies. As a rough guide, you could expect to pay anywhere from $300 – $900 USD, excluding any additional travel fees if required.
Questions to Ask a Potential Wedding Officiant
When you meet with potential officiants, it can be helpful to come prepared with a list of questions so you can make an informed decision! Here are some key questions to consider:
Are you available on our wedding date?
If you have already locked in a date, make sure you confirm their availability right from the start to avoid any scheduling conflicts.
What is your experience with our type of ceremony?
If you have a specific ceremony style in mind, it’s a good idea to ask about their experience with similar weddings to ensure they’re comfortable executing your vision.
How would you describe your style as a wedding officiant?
This question will help you determine whether your personalities align! For example: are you looking for an officiant who describes themselves as casual and relaxed, or formal and professional? Do you want a celebrant who injects a sense of humor, or someone that keeps things more traditional?
Can we customize our ceremony?
Find out how flexible the officiant is in terms of personalizing the ceremony. Some may have a set structure they like to follow, while others may offer more tailored options.
Do you have a portfolio of past ceremonies?
Reviewing examples of their past work will give you a sense of their ceremony style and whether it suits your preferences.
What is your fee?
Make sure you confirm the exact costs upfront (including any additional fees for travel, rehearsals or customization) to ensure it fits within your budget.
Do you offer premarital counseling?
If this is important to you (or a requirement for your religion), find out if your officiant offers counseling services or if they can put together some recommendations.
Can you help us with our wedding vows?
A good wedding officiant should be able to guide you through the process of writing your wedding vows, and may even be able to provide you with some sample vows to get the inspiration flowing!
Find our tips for writing your wedding vows here.
How do you handle the legal aspects of the ceremony?
Make sure your officiant explains exactly what they will be responsible for, including filing the marriage license and handling all necessary legal paperwork.
What is your approach to wedding rehearsals?
Ask your officiant if they include a ceremony rehearsal in their services – and if so, how this will work.
Have you worked at our wedding venue before?
This isn’t a deal breaker, but it can be helpful to know if your officiant is familiar with your chosen wedding venue. An officiant who has experience at your venue can make the planning process a little easier, as they’ll be able to provide guidance on things like ceremony locations, timings and other logistics.
How will you be dressed on the day?
It may sound like a superficial question, but your officiant will be included in some of the most significant photos from your special day! A good officiant should be happy to dress in a way that reflects the style of your wedding, whether that’s relaxed or black-tie.
What equipment will you bring on the day?
Will your officiant be responsible for bringing their own microphone, PA system and signing table, or is this something you’ll need to organize yourself? Make sure you double check exactly what equipment is provided and what needs to be supplied.
Book Your Wedding Day Dream Team
Need some assistance booking your other wedding vendors? Check out these handy guides to help you find and choose your wedding day dream team!
- How to choose your wedding photographer
- How to find the right wedding planner
- Questions to ask a potential wedding venue before signing a contract
We’ve made it easy to manage your entire team of wedding vendors inside our WedSites digital planner. You can save contact information, upload documents, set payment reminders and keep all of the important details together in one place. Learn more about our digital wedding planning tools here!