Brevard Minister

Rev. Fuller's Wedding Blog

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Q&A: Hiring an Independent Officiant

10/3/2012

6 Comments

 
I frequently get questions from brides (and grooms!) across the country seeking advice about hiring an officiant for their ceremony. People getting married within a religious community may not give a second thought to this aspect of wedding planning. For many couples though, the hiring of an officiant is one rather important detail to which they must attend.

Q: My fiance and I do not attend church on a regular basis and prefer a secular ceremony. What are our options if we don't want a courthouse wedding?

A: You can have your wedding virtually anywhere. Who can officiate the ceremony depends upon the state in which your wedding will take place. For example, Florida is one of only three states in which notaries have the legal authority to solemnize marriage. I believe Massachusetts allows people to register as an officiant for a friend or family member's wedding once per year. (Check me on that!) Some areas have no problem with on-line ordinations satisfying the statute as clergy, while others such as New York City and North Carolina absolutely do not.

A quick internet search of your state's marriage statutes should easily provide you with the information you need. Wedding planning sites such as weddingwire.com, decidio.com and wedplan.net can give you a sense of what is available in your area. Inquire with the venue you have selected for your wedding. Their staff should be able to point you towards independent officiants they know and respect.

Q: Are there specific questions we should ask prospective officiants that will let us know which one we should choose?

A:  I whole-heartedly recommend contacting at least three to four officiants and comparing your interactions with each. You will likely feel an emotional connection with one of them which may be all you need, but there are a few considerations to which you should pay particular attention.

In the Event of an Emergency: I am shocked more people do not ask this question. I've only had two or three brides ask it in six years, but goodness it can be important! What happens if the officiant has a last minute emergency or falls ill? You want an officiant who has backup plans in place.

Primary Responsibilities On-Site: What does the officiant consider to be his or her role at the ceremony? Personally, I don't just "perform the ceremony." I am the non-anxious presence responsible for making sure the couple are fully present mentally and emotionally and are enjoying their own wedding. You might be surprised how often they aren't!

I have repaired dresses, pinned on flowers, located lost ring bearers, set tables, rearrange chairs, etc. Anything that needs to be done to keep things on track or get them back on track.
Picture
Abbey and Mike with notary public, Susan Eaton

Check out this document from the Hiring Rev. Fuller section of my website for more information about finding and selecting an officiant for your wedding.

Finding an Officiant You Adore
Picture
Kyle & Justin at The Tides on 09/10/11
Q: I have searched the internet for officiants in my area and noticed there is a wide range of officiating fees. Why is that? (Florida Resident)

A: Florida law allows notaries public to solemnize marriages, but restricts their fee to the amount charged by clerks of the court. As of the date of this post, they can charge up to $30 for notarizing the certificate of marriage section of the Florida marriage license. Notaries public can charge additional fees for writing the ceremony, travel expenses, etc., but typically their fees tend to be lower than ordained clergy as a consequence.

Some officiants feel their responsibilities begin and end with the reading of a ceremony and signing of the license. Others understand they are called upon to do a lot more than that: guide the couple through the marriage license process, customize a personalized ceremony, conduct a rehearsal, arrive early to alleviate stress, provide sound equipment, coordinate last minute details, etc. Officiants who charge higher fees are also more likely to provide more as part of their services.

This is a skilled profession that is best suited to a very particular type of personality. Experienced and high-quality professionals are going to charge more for their services.

You need to decide if the officiant is a priority for your wedding experience. For some, an amateur officiant who satisfies statutory requirements to solemnize marriage is perfectly fine. Others prefer a ritual specialist who is an accomplished public speaker adept at picking up emotional cues and responding to them appropriately. Simply a matter of personal priorities.

As a very general guideline, you can expect roughly the following range of fees when hiring an independent wedding officiant for just a wedding ceremony in Florida. (Rehearsals can increase this amount by approximately $50-200)

Notaries Public: $75 - $200
On-line Ordination: $150 - $300
Regularly Ordained Clergy: $200 - $500

The advantage to hiring ordained clergy is two-fold. Clergy are more likely to have formal training in ritual composition and public speaking. They are also trained in pastoral care, able to function as the "non-anxious presence" when that becomes necessary. And it does become necessary.

The disadvantage is that some clergy may be reluctant to perform ceremonies that do not  conform with their denominational doctrines concerning marriage. This is a question that needs to be addressed with clergy in a consultation meeting, but is probably not an issue with a notary, justice of the peace, or clerk.

                                   Bottom Line?

Do you feel comfortable with an officiant and find him or her to be both an engaging public speaker and a soothing presence? Book before it's too late!

Photo Attributes
Right: Jana Martin Photography
Left: Florida Beachside Weddings
6 Comments
Betsy
10/3/2012 05:33:42 am

I wish you were in Tennessee. :-(

Reply
Rev. Ann Fuller
10/3/2012 09:52:17 pm

Aw, that's so sweet! Send me an email if you want some help finding a suitable officiant in your area.

Reply
Mia
10/3/2012 08:19:54 am

After what happened to my sister I'm going to be VERY picky when it comes to my officiant. Her "minister" showed up 15 min late, nobody could hear a word he said and he stayed for the reception when he hadn't been invited. Awkward! He was cheap in so many ways.

Reply
Rev. Ann Fuller
10/3/2012 09:55:10 pm

I'm sorry she had a bad experience with her officiant. Unfortunately, most areas do not have organizations that certify the quality of independent officiants. This is why referrals and recommendations can be so important. Definitely ask for references when hiring your officiant.

Reply
TR
10/3/2012 10:20:35 am

Can a notary or justice of the peace do a religious wedding?

Reply
Rev. Ann Fuller
10/3/2012 09:59:51 pm

Generally speaking, any officiant authorized to solemnize marriage by the state can perform a ceremony of any kind. Some officiants may choose to only do civil ceremonies and some clergy may be required to follow denominational rules regarding the religious content of the ceremony. Just ask your perspective officiants what they will and will not do. Any qualified officiant will find that to be a perfectly appropriate question.

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    Rev. Ann Fuller

    The commentary on this blog is my own opinion developed over years of officiating a wide range of wedding sizes and styles. I am always happy to answer any questions you may have.
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