Just as with all your other wedding vendors, the Officiant you choose should

match your personal style and the type of wedding ceremony that you'd like to

have. For instance, you may not choose the same Officiant for an informal

wedding in the park versus a formal religious ceremony in a church.

Your Officiant may ask to meet with you several times before the wedding to

discuss your feelings about love, marriage, commitment and sometimes religious

beliefs. Now, we can't help you with that -- but we can give you a list of

questions to ask your Officiant to help work out the details of the ceremony.

 Religious Issues

• Will you marry us if we are of different faiths?
• Will you marry us if one or both of us have been previously divorced?
• Will you marry us if we are not current members of your church? If not,

  can we inquire about becoming a member?

• Do you require pre-marital or religious counseling before getting

  married? If so, what does that entail?

• Would you allow another Officiant (possibly of a different religion or a

  relative) to take part in the ceremony?

Wedding Vows

• Are we allowed to write our own wedding vows or must we use the

  traditional vows?

Readings

• Are there any restrictions on the types of readings that can be used?
• Can we use contemporary readings or are they required to be religious or

  scripture readings?

Ceremony Music

• Are there any restrictions on the type of music that can be played?
• Can we use contemporary songs?
• Can we bring our own musicians or must they be affiliated with the

  church?

Wedding Attire

• Are there any restrictions on wedding attire? Some churches may have

  rules about bare shoulders or skirt lengths.

Photography

• Are there any restrictions on photography? Some churches may limit or

  may not allow ANY flash photography. Others may have restrictions on where

  the photographer may and may not stand.

• Is it permissible to videotape the ceremony? Are there any restrictions

  for the Videography?

Decor

• Are there any items or decorations that would be included? Such as

  candles, candelabras or pew decorations?

• Can we use an aisle runner?
• Is a candle light service permitted?
• Are we allowed to take the floral arrangements to the reception?
• Are we allowed to throw rice or birdseed outside the church? What about

  rose petals or bubbles?

Logistics

• Is the wedding date we've chosen available? What time can we hold the

  ceremony?

• How many guests will the church hold?
• Is there another wedding scheduled on the same day?
• Is there a room for the bride and her attendants to stay "out of sight"

  or "freshen up" before the ceremony begins?

• Can we hold a receiving line outside the church? What happens if it

  rains?

• What about the timing and logistics of obtaining the marriage license?

  Officiants are usually well versed in the rules for their state.

Fees

• Ask about the Officiant's fee.
• Is there a fee for the organist?
• Ask if there are any other fees or "donations" that should be given to

  the church.