12 Questions to Ask Your Civil Officiate
A really great officiate will want to take the time to meet with you, listen, listen, listen to what you have to say and assist you with your ceremony. I think it is important for the ceremony to reflect exactly how you want your day to go; to set the stage for the rest of your celebration.
For example: If the bride is planning to wear a romantic dress and the reception hall is decorated very romantically with roses and valentines, then why not have your ceremony reflect the romance and love you want your guests to experience too.
A great officiate will always be on time to the rehearsal and especially the wedding; will check on both the bride and the groom to ensure that they are there ready to play their part and will take the time to reassure a nervous groom or bride.
A great officiate will be very organized, ready to go with lots of ideas for your ceremony and will be responsive to your needs.
If you’ve decided to have a civil ceremony but aren’t sure what you should consider before selecting an officiate here are ten questions you definitely want to ask.
- Is the officiate available on your wedding date?
- Can the officiate travel to your chosen wedding site?
- If you don’t have a site, can the officiate suggest a site or provide a site?
- Does the officiate charge a standard fee? What types of thing does this fee cover?
- Why does he/she perform weddings? Are the reasons consistent with your needs?
- Does the officiate have sample vows, ceremonies and readings to show you?
- Will the officiate let you specify ceremony details such as music, readings, and vows
- Can you include religious touches if desired?
- Is the officiate willing to discuss non-traditional wedding ceremonies and traditions?
- Is the officiate available for a ceremony rehearsal?
- Are you comfortable upon meeting the officiate? Does he or she seem genuinely interested in you as a couple and is he or she willing to assist you with the creation of the vows and ceremony you’ve always wanted?
- Would the officiate (and his/her spouse) like to come to the reception and rehearsal dinner?
