Wedding Tip #31 - Picking Your Wedding Officiant

Friday I was meeting with a bride-to-be at her potential venue in New Orleans. The venue owner piped up and said he would provide the officiant as his gift to the couple. I looked at her and the look on her face was shock. She had no idea what to say. And it made me think.

An officiant can make or break a ceremony.

I've seen ones who are the star of the show and others who blow in, take a check, say the words and blow out.

And then there are those special ones. Each having their own personality, loving what they do and the couples they marry. So I thought I would include some photographs from recent weddings and just offer up a few suggestions to hopefully help in your choosing the best person for your vows. Here are some of the key things to consider:

Talk to each officiant. Get a feel, outside their website, who they are and how they will handle your ceremony
Ask how long the ceremony will be
Will they let you do your own vows?
Lastly, are they a match for you and your fiance?

Below are some photographs of weddings performed by Reverend Joe Pitzer, Reverend Jerry Schwehm and Reverand Tony of the French Quarter Wedding Chapel. Each has his own style of officiating and bring to the table a wonderful ceremony experience, even if you are eloping.

Chaplain Jerry Schwehm - Fig Street Weddings