The top 5 things a couple needs to know

Rev. Christopher M. Tuttle

Pastor – Vows from the Heart Ministries

President – National Association of Wedding Officiants

Interviewing more than one Officiant:

Couples spend more time selecting their attire, choosing table linen colors and taste testing their meal and wedding cake than they do selecting their Officiant. A couple should interview no less than three Officiants as they need to find the Officiant that is a direct reflection of the two of them; an Officiant that will share their personality and love for each other in the ceremony and allow them to be part of the ceremony creative process.

Selecting their Officiant by price:

Searching by price and selecting the cheapest can be a big mistake and can mean the difference between; a ceremony you’ll never forget to a ceremony you’ll wish no one would ever remember! There is more to selecting an Officiant than cost. On the national average, a couple will spend more on renting their table linens than on their Officiant.

Forgetting that the Ceremony and the Reception are two DIFFERENT EVENTS:

In recent years, ceremonies are now held at the same location as the reception and couples forget this allowing a coordinator, site administrator or event planner to have input and creativity in their ceremony planning process. The ceremony is personal and should be created by the bride, the groom and the Officiant. Unless they are Ministers, their input should be considered unwelcome and unprofessional.

Hidden costs or additional fees:

Some Officiants charge a little more to attend the rehearsal while others include the service. Some charge an additional fee for travel, filing your license, holiday pay, etc. Make sure to ask before and get everything in writing. Some Officiants require that they attend your reception and some require that their spouse also attend to keep them company. Remember to ask this so you have a proper headcount and add this expense to your budget.

Selecting a vendor that specializes in their field.

Sadly, money can be a great motivator and in the wedding industry, it has always been about just that; Money! Today; D-Jays are also Officiants, Florists are also invitation makers, coordinators are also photographers, limo drivers are also cake makers, etc. Everyone now wants more of this “gold filled wedding cake” and offers more and more to get a larger piece. Simply ask yourself, how can anyone give you 100% if they are splitting their responsibilities on your wedding day? Can you imagine everyone listening to your Officiant and then watch them run over and be the entertainment? How about your photographer missing that special “Kodak moment” because they are overseeing the wait staff and the preparation of the appetizers?