What is a Wedding Officiant?
A wedding officiant is the person who will lawfully marry you. An officiant can be a civil servant, an ordained minister, a priest, rabbi, etc. Depending upon your wedding, they may simply pronounce you married, or they may be the one to lead you through your ceremony, including your vows and the exchange of rings.The Cost of a PA Wedding Officiant
The cost of hiring a wedding officiant can range from $50 to $500, depending on the ceremony type, how far they have to travel and the length of the ceremony. For many, this will be the least expensive part of your wedding. A religious officiant will often negotiate a lower fee if you have a prior relationship with the person. Price is not always a good indicator of quality, though! Below are some thoughts and questions to keep in mind beyond the cost.Religious Wedding Officiants in PA
If you have strong community roots in Pennsylvania, you or your soon-to-be husband or wife may already have a relationship with a minister, rabbi or reverend who you would like to take part in your ceremony. In a case like this, the most important thing is to plan ahead by booking early. Talk to your chosen officiant as far in advance as possible and make sure that he or she will be available for your wedding day.If you would like this person to lead you through your wedding ceremony, it is also important to talk with them about your expectations. For instance:
- Do you have special passages from a chosen religious text you would like read, or would you be happy to hear your officiant's suggestions?
- How much "hand-holding" will you need as you move through your ceremony? Many experienced officiants are great at smoothly leading nervous couples through their ceremony.
- How many weddings have they officiated in the past?
- Can they provide references from other happy couples?
- What sort of attire do you expect them to wear? What sort of attire do they expect you to wear?
- Would you like them to speak with or without a microphone?
- Have you composed your own vows?
- Are there any religious considerations which might prevent certain wedding day dreams from happening? Be sure to talk through your entire ceremony with your officiant!
Referrals Can Work Wonders
Finding the right wedding officiant can be a struggle. If the officiant you'd like to have at your wedding is unavailable, or if you're unsure who you'd like to work with, reach out to local friends and family for advice. Your wedding planner, florist or decorator may also have excellent suggestions for officiants they have worked with in the past.Search Online as a Last Resort!
If all else fails, a simple online search for 'Pennsylvania Wedding Officiants' will return hundreds of results for qualified individuals from all across the state. To narrow down your choices, consider refining your search to the particular city, town or county in which you will be married, and also consult the local phone book. Those officiants who appear in both resources are more likely to have experience. Find a few that look promising, and begin to make phone calls, bearing in mind the questions mentioned above. This person may be an integral part of your special day -- be thorough and courteous, and expect the same from the officiant you ultimately choose for your PA wedding. If you're still in doubt, schedule appointments to meet with those you think might be the ones to help you get married.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.