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Writer's pictureJosé Serpa

Say 'I Do' to the Right Wedding Officiant

Updated: Feb 6



When planning a wedding ceremony and party, there are a lot of key decisions to make and considerations to account for. One of the most important is that of choosing the right officiant to facilitate your wedding ceremony. The wedding officiant will be one of the most visible figures in your ceremony and the one which will speak the most. Your big day and moment will come down to your officiant’s performance and handling of the ceremony.


Here is a list of the 4 most important considerations when choosing the right officiant for your wedding ceremony.


Likeability and Personal Connection

In your search for a wedding officiant, take the time to interact with the officiant for as much time as it takes to determine if he/ she is likeable. Is this someone you can have an engaging conversation with and seems interesting an interested? Is this someone your audience will find both engaging and friendly?


The officiant will be at the center of the ceremony and your pictures. Be assured that you are comfortable with this person being a permanent fixture in your forever moment.


Calm and Smooth under Pressure

Your wedding day is a somewhat chaotic and fast-moving day for everyone involved in the coordination. Unexpected things happen and inconveniences seem to occur without notice. The demeanor and experience level of the officiant will determine how well they handle these situations. When interacting with the officiant, think of a few tough or uncomfortable questions to ask them and see how they respond. Here are a few sample questions:

  • Can you share an experience where something unexpected occurred during a ceremony and how did you handle it?

  • How do you calm nervous couples down during a ceremony?

  • Have you ever encountered disruptions from guests during a ceremony and how did you maintain focus and control of the moment?

Style and Substance

A wedding ceremony has a delicate balance between surreal and engaging. Or at least it should. The couple needs to have a vision of what the wedding ceremony looks like and the type of tone and energy they want from the officiant. Does your officiant convey the desired balance of professionalism and humor that you desire for your big day? The officiant should be an expert and professional of the subject matter (substance) but should be able to deliver that information in a manner that fits your personality and that of your audience (style).


Available and Affordable

The wedding planning process could be long and complex. Decide what type of availability you need from your officiant leading up to the big day. Confirm that the officiant is not only available at the day and time of your event, but that he/ she does not have any prior commitment that might delay them for your event. As part of your planning, you will be hiring different types of vendors, such as photographers and caterers. The wedding officiant should not be financially burdensome. Steer clear of officiants who want to nickel and dime you for every item of service they offer. The average cost of officiants will vary from city to city. In south FL, you should be able to contract experienced wedding officiants for $500 or less.

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