Wedding planning is full of huge decisions for couples planning a wedding, including who they want with them at the altar when they exchange their vows and say “I do.”
During a wedding, The bridesmaids and groomsmen usually stand with the couple during the ceremony. The officiant is responsible for conducting the ceremony from beginning to end.
There are several different paths a couple can take when it comes to choosing an officiant.
They may choose a civil marriage officiant, such as a judge or Justice of the Peace, a religious official, such as a pastor or priest, or the couple may choose a professional officiant to lead their ceremony.
It is a growing trend in the wedding industry for couples to choose a close friend or family member to officiate at their wedding.
A family member or friend can get the marriage solemnized by taking initiation online. (iStock)
For couples who choose this route, their friend or family member will have to take several steps to be able to make this work.
Essential information any wedding website should have
Below are some things that should be kept in mind when asked to officiate a marriage.
- Check Local Government Registration Requirements
- get initiated
- plan accordingly
- improve your public speaking
- Don’t forget the marriage license
1. Check Local Government Registration Requirements
Before anything else, it is important to check the status Requirements for solemnizing a marriage.
Registration requirements vary from state to state, so you’ll want to do your research beforehand so you don’t run into any issues later on.
To gather basic information on state requirements, you can search online.
When going through the process of preparing to officiate, be sure to check the state requirements. (iStock)
Contact the City Clerk or County Clerk’s office to learn more about the steps you need to take.
2. Get initiated
To officiate a marriage, you must first be appointed.
In many states, the process of obtaining initiation is quite simple requiring just a few online clicks, a fee, and a few days for the process.
One-day marriage officiant certification programs are ideal in some states family members and friends Those who wish to officiate the wedding of a loved one, but do not plan to officiate the wedding of others in the future.
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To find ordination online, Universal Life Church and American Marriage Ministries are two popular places to check out.
3. Plan accordingly
It is a great honor to be asked to officiate a marriage.
Make sure you are giving the work the necessary time and commitment.
As an officiant, you will want to meet with the couple several times before their big day to get an idea of how they want their wedding ceremony.
You will need several months to prepare for the wedding ceremony. This involves meeting the couple and understanding their desires for the day. (iStock)
4. Improve your public speaking
During the actual ceremony, the marriage officiant has to speak for a long time in front of a large group of people.
Before the big day arrives, make yourself as comfortable as possible by improving your public speaking skills.
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Attend ceremonies often, and take the opportunity to practice in front of others if possible.
5. Don’t forget the marriage license
The officiant is traditionally responsible for ensuring that the marriage license is filed.
The length of time a marriage license is valid depends on the state.
For example, in Tennessee, it is valid for 30 days from issuance.
In Massachusetts, that magic number is 60 days, while it is 90 days in California.
As the officiant, make sure the couple has obtained the marriage license within the appropriate period of time. Additionally, make sure the license is properly filed after the ceremony. (iStock)
As the marriage officiant, look at the deadlines for the state in which the couple wishes to marry, and remind them that this is something they need to do.
A marriage license is a document signed by both spouses, the officiant, and witnesses in some states, and allows a couple to legally marry.
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Typically, the officiant is responsible for making sure this document is filed properly after the ceremony.
