How To Choose A Wedding Officiant

It's your wedding! It's your wedding ceremony!

As a Wedding Celebrant/Minister in Washington State, I often smile when I sit with an engaged couple planning to be married and they both get a blank look when I ask, "So, what do you want for your actual wedding ceremony?"

As unique as your entire wedding day will be, your wedding ceremony is a wonderful opportunity to fully express and publicly share your love story with each other and your family and guests. I am very blessed to work with engaged couples who want a very personalized wedding ceremony that reflects their individual values and beliefs, is joyful and engaging, has laughter and humor, and at the same time is an elegant tribute to the love and commitment they are consecrating on their wedding day.

And, yes! Whether you come from a religious, spiritual or secular background, your wedding ceremony can be as personalized, unique and romantic as you and your fiancée desire.

Selecting a Wedding Celebrant/Minister for your ceremony is a highly personal decision. I often counsel couples to choose from the heart. This means selecting a Celebrant and/or Minister you like, who "gets you" as a couple and who you both believe will do the best job possible creating and officiating a beautiful wedding ceremony that you'll remember for a lifetime.

As you select your Celebrant/Minister, please consider the following TOP 10 LIST to make a fabulous choice for your wedding ceremony….

TOP 10 TIPS FOR SELECTING YOUR WEDDING OFFICIANT/CELEBRANT:

1. Celebrant's Background
   
   Do you like the Celebrant? Does their background and experience resonate with you? Do you like their speaking voice? Are you energized by their enthusiasm and commitment to your ceremony? Is the Celebrant open to your ideas and will they co-create the ceremony with you?
    
2. Religious/Spiritual Issues
   
   Will the Celebrant represent couples who are from different religious, spiritual and/or cultural backgrounds (if this is a factor)?
    
3. Writing and Co-Creating the Ceremony
   
   How will your ceremony be created and written? Are you confident in the skills of your chosen Celebrant to deliver your ceremony? Does the Celebrant have sample ceremonies/vows for your review? Ceremonies on a DVD for your review?
    
4. Rehearsal
   
   Will your Celebrant be available for a rehearsal? (if you wish)
    
5. Availability Before Your Ceremony
   
   Is the Celebrant available before your ceremony for questions and advice?
    
6. Will The Celebrant Have An Assistant On-Site, if necessary?
   
   Does the Celebrant bring an Assistant to the Ceremony, if necessary? Does the Celebrant have an alternative Celebrant available in case of unexpected/unforeseen illness or emergency?
    
7. Coming and Going
   
   How early will your Celebrant arrive at your ceremony and how long will they stay afterwards?
    
8. Travel
   
   Will the Celebrant travel to your wedding ceremony site?
    
9. Fees/Paperwork
   
   What will the Celebrant charge for the ceremony and exactly what does this include? Does the Celebrant offer a professional contract for services, insuring that your date and time are agreed to on paper?
    
10. References
    
    For your peace of mind, request references from the prospective Celebrant.

 You'll find Annemarie Juhlian online at http://www.annemariejuhlian.com/