Who will Officiate?

Hopefully someone who will do more than utter a stream of words ending with a pronouncment of marriage

Though-out this article the terms minister, celebrant, and officiant will be used interchangibly with one another, as well as using the words spouse and partner interchangibly with "husband and wife"

With all of the hustle and bustle that are a part of planning for what must be, one of the most important days of your life, it is very easy to forget a very important ingredient. Often the question of who will perform the wedding ceremony is given a low priority. Afterall venues for weddings are booked several months in advance, the same is true for reception halls and caterers, therefore they automatically move to the top of the list.  

Although it may be relatively easy to secure the services of a matrimonial celebrant or wedding officiant with little or, in some cases no notice, you should give yourself enough time to find the right one. After all you want someone who will do more than utter a stream of words ending with a pronouncment of marriage. This is your wedding ceremony, a singular event in time that you have waited for a life-time. The matrimonial service is the core of a very special day and event. Whether the ceremony is a wedding, marriage, or civil union, it should be a reflection of the love each of you has for the intended husband, wife, spouse, or partner. The ceremony must stand as a symbol of your commitment to become one with the other and be unique to your union.  

The minister performing the matrimonial service must be able to convey the spirit of your special occasion. Whether the wedding service is to be solemn, reverent, joyous, humor-filled, or a combination of these, your officiant must be aware of what it is you want and be able to demonstrate that to you. This may mean several meetings among you, your intended spouse or partner and the minister. I strongly suggest that at least one of these meetings be conducted in person, so that you can get a fuller sense of the celebrant's energy and demenor.  In many ways the process of securing an officiant is much the same as hiring a contractor to do work in your home. If contacted early enough, your officiant will be able to assist in planning the ceremony; helping you to choose which readings, vows, rituals, (if any) that should be included.