Two Become One Ministry

Interfaith Ceremony, Non-religious Ceremony, Single Religion Ceremony

Agnostic, Christian (no denomination), Christian - Anglican, Christian - Baptist, Christian - Catholic, Christian - Episcopalian, Christian - Lutheran, Christian - Methodist, Christian - Orthodox, Christian - Presbyterian, Christian - Quaker, Evangelical, Jewish

No

Yes. My job is to serve the couple and to help bring the two together as one. Location doesn't matter, the place selected to have the wedding should be about the couple not me.

I wear a suit. I have a few different colors

Yes. A wedding is a very important day that will always be remembered so the words the bride and groom choose to have in the ceremony are words that reflect them and there love for one another.

Yes. I recommend this because it makes it more personal but I do many weddings where the couples repeat after me by doing a simple vow exchange or the writing of their own.

I have many samples ceremonies that have different readings in them but none of the ones I offer have to be used. The wedding has to reflect the couple not me.

the average ceremony is about 15-25 minutes

I do not require it but I recommend it. The way I do mine is completely different then most. The many couples I have been honored to work with that have taken the classes have really enjoyed it and have learned great news tools to use it in their marriage.

Yes. I really enjoy doing the rehearsals because it gives me more time to grow with the couple. I do everything I can to really get to know the couples I perform wedding for because when it times to do the weddings I don't want to be an outsider but a close friend.

no

Wedding timetable

Careful planning will enable you to truly enjoy every moment of your Wedding Day. Arrangements for a large formal
wedding should ideally begin at least 8 – 12 months in advance; however, many beautiful weddings are put together in considerably
less time. The important thing is to follow a timetable; read the articles in this guide; and let your contracted suppliers
help you. Share the planning duties with your fiancé, your families, and your attendants – much of the fun is doing it
together.

Six to Twelve Months
❏ Decide budget; discuss sharing of expenses.
❏ Decide type of wedding.
❏ Formal ❏ Semi-formal ❏ Informal
❏ Choose date/time
❏ Choose location of ceremony ___________________
Phone ____________________
❏ Choose reception facility _______________________
Phone ____________________
❏ Select caterer/wedding consultant ________________
Phone ____________________
❏ Meet with clergy member; consider
pre-marital counseling
❏ Discuss alternative dates with clergy or officiator.
❏ Decide size of wedding party, choose attendants.
❏ Select gown style. Shop __________________________
Phone ______________________
❏ Select veil style. Shop ___________________________
Phone ______________________
❏ Select attendants’ apparel. Shop ___________________
Phone ______________________
❏ Plan details of reception.
❏ Select Photographer. ____________________________
Phone ______________________
❏ Have engagement photos taken. Date _______________
Phone ______________________
❏ Select music for reception. _______________________
Phone ______________________
❏ Select videographer. _____________________________
Phone ______________________
❏ Select florist. __________________________________
Phone ______________________
❏ Compile families’ invitation list. Bride’s _____________
Groom’s ____________
❏ Discuss gown colors and styles with mothers of
bride & groom.
❏ Plan an engagement party with family and friends
❏ Find out what bridal shows are in the area and plan
on attending
❏ Place engagement announcement in the local paper

Four to Six Months
❏ Select men’s formal wear; Order ___________________
Phone ___________________
❏ Select ceremony musicians/vocalists and music.
________________________
Phone ___________________
❏ Make honeymoon plans. Travel Agent ______________
Phone ___________________
❏ Decide on new living arrangement: buying,
renting or leasing?
❏ Consult decorator about home décor: _______________
Phone ___________________
❏ Register gift preferences with one or more
bridal registries.
Registries: _____________________________________
Phone ________________________________________
❏ Order invitations, personal stationery, programs,
napkins, etc.
Stationer: _____________________________________
Delivery Date __________________________________
Phone ________________________________________
❏ Professionally prepare and print map to include
with invitations
❏ Set aside hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.
Hotel ________________________________________
Phone ________________________________________
❏ Have physical examinations and update immunizations
❏ Plan and schedule beauty preparations (nails, diet, hair,
skin care and makeup)
❏ Buy wedding rings; order engraving
Jeweler _______________________________________
Phone ________________________________________
Two to Four Months
❏ Reserve rental items; candelabra, arches, canopy,
linens, etc.
Rental Company _______________________________
Phone ________________________________________









Hiring An Officiant for Your Wedding Ceremony

As a wedding officiant, I’m generally the last vendor to be interviewed. I don’t take it personally…most couples spend a lot of time and energy scheduling and hiring people to make the reception an event that will be remembered for a long time, and it’s the celebration that everyone looks forward to. But once every last reception detail has been completed, some brides and grooms will often say to each other, “Yikes! We don’t have anyone to marry us yet!”

When you think about it, the person who speaks the words of your ceremony is one of the most important people in attendance. A lot of couples belong to a church or house of worship; there’s already a relationship established with the clergyperson and the parties know one another. But what about those folks who don’t belong to a church? Or don't share the same religious background and neither wishes to convert? Or who don’t want to be married in a church? Or who don’t subscribe to a specific religion/belief system at all? Or who might belong to a religion that doesn’t support couples who live together…or have a child together…or where one of the parties is divorced? It’s this population that needs to find someone who will marry them.

Where do you start? I recommend talking to married friends for a referral, or a Google search like “ Officiant", or on MyPartyPlanner.com. You will get many hits, no doubt, and it will be up to you to find just the right person.

Look closely at their website. You can hopefully learn about the officiant’s personality, credentials, experience, and sometimes even fees. Call the officiant and ask for a face-to-face meeting (you can send an e-mail asking the same as well). There should be no fee for the initial consultation, and the officiant should ask you a lot of questions about the two of you, what you want for your ceremony, and then let you know up-front whether he/she can deliver. Ask for referrals. Discuss the fee for service, and what that includes. Most vendors ask for a deposit to secure the date; expect the same when hiring your officiant. Remember, also, that the decision to hire because he/she is the cheapest is not how to hire an officiant. You want someone who has experience, professionalism and reliability (referrals can tell you about these). But even more important than how much the service costs, you should feel a connection with this person. He/she should be happy to give you want YOU want, and not dictate how the ceremony will be conducted. You should feel comfortable in his/her presence, and believe that this person really has your best interests at heart. Sometimes this takes a leap of faith—no pun intended!

After I marry a couple, I send them a follow-up e-mail, thanking them for choosing me to officiate, and for honest feedback. They say that I made them feel at-ease, they appreciated my sense of humor, they were confident in my abilities, I was easily (and cheerfully) accessible, my referrals gave glowing recommendations, and that I made no judgments about them…when others did. You should use these to help you find the right officiant for YOUR ceremony. Good luck in your search!