How To Choose an Officiant

Your wedding day is something that you've thought about your whole life.  You've invested a lot of heart, time, energy, and money into seeing that it goes right and reflects you, your relationship, and your values.  With many weddings in the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area now costing upwards of $35,000, you, of course, expect the photographer, the florist, the caterer, etc. to be professional and talented in their fields.  Why, with so very much at stake, emotionally and financially, entrust it all to an inexperienced, untrained officiant?  Your guests are probably not going to remember how terrific the Swedish Meatballs or the Chicken Kiev was, but they will certainly remember if the ceremony goes awry.

At NorthStar Nuptials, all of our officiants were trained and ordained in traditional Churches.  They have undergone criminal background checks and every one of them has more than ten years experience in active public ministry.  They have officiated at hundreds of weddings and understand what this day means for you.  NorthStar Nuptial officiants are competent, experienced and professional.  They will conduct your ceremony in a manner that’s comfortable to you and your family, respecting your values and belief system.

When you are looking for an officiant, here are some questions that you should be asking:

1. Is the officiant available for the date and time you want your wedding to be?

2.  Can the officiant travel to the location you desire for the wedding?

3. Which religious tradition ordained this officiant and is he / she legally authorized to officiate in the locale you desire for your wedding?   (Documentation should be available for inspection at your initial meeting.)

4. What is the officiant’s personal belief system about the importance and purpose of this event?

5. Is pre-marital counseling available or required and has the officiant done pre-marital counseling before?

6. How much knowledge and experience does your officiant have in regard to your faith tradition(s), and how can those traditions be incorporated into the ceremony?

7.  How much experience does the officiant have with the type of service you are requesting?

8. Is he / she willing to bring sample ceremonies to your scheduled meeting?

9. Will he / she be available for a rehearsal on a day other than the wedding day?

10. What are the rules on photos during the ceremony?

11. How much does the officiant charge for presiding over the ceremony? 

12. Are there additional fees for travel, customizing the ceremony, pre-marital counseling, wedding rehearsals, filing the required legal paperwork, etc?  If so, how are they calculated?