Selecting an Officiant for Your Ceremony

For some couples, the decision for what type of ceremony is an easy one that is dictated by religious or family traditions. For others there are a wide variety of options available, including modern, traditional, non-denominational, as well as religious and ethnic.

At the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club we have worked with a wide variety of officiants from a variety of traditions.

Types of Wedding Ceremonies:

Secular Ceremony

With a secular ceremony, the sky is the limit. Your officiant may or may not be ordained by a traditional religious institution and typically you have the most freedom for order of the ceremony, wording, and other aspects.

Non-Denominational Ceremony

Non-Denominational Ceremonies typically follow the traditional wedding format and the officiant usually is an ordained minister from a traditional institution. Non-denominational ceremonies tend to be flexible, but each officiant might have different views and preferences on how to conduct the ceremony.

Religious

Religious ceremonies tend to be the most restrictive both in terms of the order of events, wording, and also there may be restrictions on where the ceremony can take place. For instance, many Catholic priests prefer to perform Catholic ceremonies only inside of a Catholic church. Additionally, Catholic and Episcopal officienants tend to require that certain elements be included in your wedding vows and there may be other steps that you need to follow such as pre-canna classes.

Tips for selecting an officiant:

Get to Know the officiant

Find out how long has he (or she) been performing weddings and what types of venues the person most comfortable working with. Additionally, you should find out what motivates the officiant. Is it just a job or is this a passion for him.

Discuss the Details of Your Ceremony

Find out of the officiant has any special restrictions including days of the week that they won't work on or other obligations. You should also find out if the officiant has any restrictions or biases regarding interfaith weddings or with any specific living situation that you and your engaged partner might be in.

During this getting to know you period, you should find out what premarital classes or counseling the officiant might require and if it is a requirement or just good advice. The answer to this can potentially impact your schedule date as some classes are only offered at certain times of the year.

Other details that you should discuss include:

• Will you be able to write your own vows?
• What songs and readings are permitted?
• What restrictions will the photographer or videographer have while recording the ceremony?
• What wedding attire is restricted?
• What will the officiant wear when he presides over your ceremony?

Contracts and Payment:

If you like what the officiant has to say and you think that he or she is a good fit for your wedding, the next step is to write up a contract and agree on a date and fees.

Officiants with experience at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club:

The following wedding officiants arefrom our Prefered Vendors list. They have extensive experience working with us and come with excellent references.

If you have a minister or officiant that you would prefer to use, we of course welcome that as well.

Ministers Three

• Phone: 410-294-0520         
• Web: www.ministersthree.com

Michael Feeley

• Phone: 410-822-4533
• Web: www.beginningmemories.net

Rabbi Kenneth Block

• Phone: 410-459-6161   
• Web: www.rabbionthego.com

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