If you will be having a religious ceremony, the venue you select will have a major impact on your officiant choice. Most churches and synagogues are lead by ordained leaders for a specific congregation. Generally, you need to be a practicing member of a congregation to be married in specific church or synagogue. Religious leaders of all faiths take marriage ceremonies seriously and follow sometimes strict guidelines for performing a union. While some leaders will perform off site ceremonies for specific couples, plan on starting the search for this type of officiant early. There may be pre-marriage counseling or participation requirements you must fulfill before your marriage will be scheduled.
Many couples who do not belong to a religious organization choose to be married by a justice of the peace or a judge. These types of ceremonies are considered civil in nature and can follow any ritual both you and the judge agree upon. Talk with the county seat or the clerk of courts in your county for information on this type of officiant. US Marriage Laws will give you a complete listing of the legal requirements for a Kansas wedding.
When searching for a Kansas wedding officiant, it is important to find someone you trust and who makes you both feel secure. This person will be leading your wedding and guiding the rituals of your ceremony. You want someone with experience and a pleasant demeanor. For religious ceremonies, the officiant can offer counseling when needed, guidance in dealing with difficult family members and solutions to common wedding planning problems. Even for a secular ceremony, having a friendly face at the end of the aisle will help keep everyone calm and relaxed.
Ask friends and family for recommendations when looking for an officiant. Your wedding venue is another good resource. On site wedding planners or your own personal wedding planner will have suggestions for you. Be careful of web sites offering listings of Kansas officiants. Most list out of state advertisers and many are just links to wedding merchandise sites. Wedding Ministers offers a listing of local Kansas officiants and it is free to join. Always plan to meet your wedding officiant before your ceremony. This may sound obvious, but you would be surprised how many couples hire someone over the phone. Plan to start searching for your officiant as soon as you have reserved your venue; especially for a spring or summer wedding, officiants are booked far in advance and can be difficult to schedule.
Finding an officiant can lead to some typical wedding stress, so be kind to each other as you search. This person is an important part of your big day and you don't want to rush your decision. Honor each other and your feelings as you meet with different people. Careful consideration in the beginning stages of your search will pay off when the big day arrives.