Questions
to Ask Your Officiant
Just as
with all your other wedding vendors, the Officiant you choose should
match your personal style and the type of wedding ceremony that
you'd like to have. For instance, you may not choose the same Officiant
for an informal wedding in the park versus a formal religious ceremony
in a church. Your Officiant may ask to meet with you several times
before the wedding to discuss your feelings about love, marriage,
commitment and sometimes religious beliefs.
Religious
Issues
Will
you marry us if we are of different faiths?
Will
you marry us if one or both of us have been previously divorced?
Will
you marry us if we are not current members of your church? If
not, can we inquire about becoming a member?
Do you
require pre-marital or religious counselling before getting married?
If so, what does that entail? Could you allow another Officiant
(possibly of a different religion or a relative) to take part
in the ceremony?
Wedding
Vows
Are
we allowed to write our own wedding vows or must we use the traditional
vows?
Readings
Are
there any restrictions on the types of readings that can be used?
Can
we use contemporary readings or are they required to be religious
or scripture readings?
Ceremony
Music
Are
there any restrictions on the type of music that can be played?
Can
we use contemporary songs?
Can
we bring our own musicians or must they be affiliated with the
church?
Are
there any restrictions on wedding attire? Some churches may have
rules about bare shoulders or skirt lengths.
Photography
Are
there any restrictions on photography? Some churches may limit
or may not allow ANY flash photography. Others may have restrictions
on where the photographer may and may not stand.
Is it
permissible to videotape the ceremony? Are there any restrictions
for the videographer?
Decor
Are
there any items or decorations that would be included? Such as
candles, candelabras or pew decorations?
Can
we use an aisle runner?
Is a
candle light service permitted?
Are
we allowed to take the floral arrangements to the reception?
Are
we allowed to throw rice or birdseed outside the church? What
about rose petals or bubbles?
Logistics
Is the
wedding date we've chosen available? What time can we hold the
ceremony?
How
many guests will the church hold?
Is there
another wedding scheduled on the same day?
Is there
a room for the bride and her attendants to stay "out of sight"
or "freshen up" before the ceremony begins?
Can
we hold a receiving line outside the church? What happens if it
rains?
What
about the timing and logistics of obtaining the marriage license?
Officiants are usually well versed in the rules for their state.
Fees
Ask
about the Officiant's fee.
Is there
a fee for the organist?
Ask
if there are any other fees or "donations" that should
be given to the church.
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