How to Find Yourself a Wedding Officiant
The best way to find an officiant for your wedding is via word of mouth or personal experience, as with a pastor or religious official. Ask family and friends who have recently been married what their experiences have been, and if they would recommend their officiant. Many officiants are available for different kinds of ceremonies. If word of mouth doesn't work out, turn to both your local white and yellow pages, and an online search. Officiants listed in both places are more likely to be experienced and successful.Civil unions provide for full benefits under state law, as well, though the Defense of Marriage Act denies same-sex couples the federal rights typically extended to a civil union. Many officiants are open to civil union ceremonies, and can be found easily via online search.
What is a Wedding Officiant?
Based on your wedding vision, your officiant may simply be the person to pronounce you married, or they may be the one to lead you through your ceremony, including the symbolic acts of the ceremony like lighting a unity candle, exchanging your vows and the exchange of rings. A wedding officiant is a person who is licensed to lawfully marry you, whether they be a civil servant, an ordained minister, a priest, rabbi, etc. If you're in doubt, ask for credentials, which any officiant should be able to produce promptly upon request.NJ Wedding Officiant Cost
The cost of hiring a wedding officiant can vary significantly. Pricing can be affected by travel time, length of the ceremony and the type of ceremony you plan to have. A general range is $50 to $500 dollars. However, most officiants will give you a special discount if you have a prior relationship -- so work your contacts! Also remember that price is not always an indicator of quality. If in doubt, ask for references and be sure to hire your officiant well before your wedding.Religious Wedding Officiants in New Jersey
If you grew up in New Jersey or have strong community roots, you may have a relationship with the pastor, minister, priest, rabbi or reverend you would participate in your ceremony. The most important aspect in this case is to plan ahead and book early. Even before you set an official date, you may want to talk with your chosen officiant as far in advance as possible to ensure he or she will be available for your wedding day. Your religious officiant may also be your contact for planning a New Jersey church wedding.It is important to speak with your officiant about your expectations for the ceremony, and the role you would like them to play. For example:
- Experienced officiants are great at smoothly leading nervous couples through their unique ceremony, but it all comes down to trust and performance. How much "leading" will you need as you move through your ceremony? How much can they provide?
- Can they provide references from other happy couples?
- How many weddings have they officiated in the past?
- What sort of attire do you expect them to wear?
- What are their expectations for you during the ceremony?
- Are they comfortable speaking with or without a microphone?
- An officiant's tone and style are important to note. Remember that they will be seen and heard by all of your attendees, and will be videotaped by your videographer for others to see. This is your day, and the officiant should be considerate of your wishes, concerns, and guests.
- Do you have preselected passages from your holy text you would like to be read, or are you interested in hearing your officiant's suggestions?
- Have you composed your own vows, and, if so, will he or she lead you through them?
- Are there any specific location-based or religious considerations which might stymie certain wedding day dreams?