Budget Wedding Planning - Searching For An Officiant
One of the most forgotten about expenses most couples for get to budget for is the cost of their officiant. Sure, if you are both members of the same place of worship, you may already know that it's only going to be case of slipping your clergyman a few dollars and he'll be happy. But for those who don't belong to a religious group, you are from different faiths, or you'd rather have a civil instead of a religious ceremony, this is an expense that shouldn't be overlooked.
Forgetting to include this cost in your budget is one thing. But it's a completely different matter if the officiant you want to perform your ceremony isn't licensed to do so in your state! Every state allows clergy members, judges and justices of the peace to perform weddings. Other states do allow various others to perform weddings. When you find one of these folks, you will likely find that they charge a lot less than the traditional folks.
But, keep in mind that the term clergy member can and often does mean different things in different states. For example, most states allow people who have been ordained online to perform marriage ceremonies, but Arizona says Nay, Nay to that situation. Other states require online ordained clergy to register with the state.
To be absolutely certain that your officiant - and therefore your marriage - is legal, all your town or county clerk's office or if you have one, your marriage license bureau and ask. Better to do this ahead of time, rather than find out you really aren't married at some later point. Checking on this sooner rather than later will also allow you the time to find someone else, if necessary.
Here are some places you can start your search for an officiant:
1. Local Newspapers
Check out the wedding announcements. Officiants will sometimes advertise near the announcements.
2. Your town or county clerk's office
In addition to knowing who's licensed to officiate weddings, they usually also know who actually performs these services and may very well provide you with a referral.
3. Online
Check with sites such as the organization National Association of Wedding Officiants operates at nawoonline.com and the Association of Wedding Ministers at aministry.net. Both offer searchable databases of nondenominational officiants in your area.
A word to the wise - start your search for an officiant at least 6 months in advance of your wedding. This is especially true if you are planning a religious affair and you are planning on a summer or weekend wedding. These times book up very quickly. In addition, some premarital counselling sessions may be required - which may involve fees of some sort.
Forgetting to include this cost in your budget is one thing. But it's a completely different matter if the officiant you want to perform your ceremony isn't licensed to do so in your state! Every state allows clergy members, judges and justices of the peace to perform weddings. Other states do allow various others to perform weddings. When you find one of these folks, you will likely find that they charge a lot less than the traditional folks.
But, keep in mind that the term clergy member can and often does mean different things in different states. For example, most states allow people who have been ordained online to perform marriage ceremonies, but Arizona says Nay, Nay to that situation. Other states require online ordained clergy to register with the state.
To be absolutely certain that your officiant - and therefore your marriage - is legal, all your town or county clerk's office or if you have one, your marriage license bureau and ask. Better to do this ahead of time, rather than find out you really aren't married at some later point. Checking on this sooner rather than later will also allow you the time to find someone else, if necessary.
Here are some places you can start your search for an officiant:
1. Local Newspapers
Check out the wedding announcements. Officiants will sometimes advertise near the announcements.
2. Your town or county clerk's office
In addition to knowing who's licensed to officiate weddings, they usually also know who actually performs these services and may very well provide you with a referral.
3. Online
Check with sites such as the organization National Association of Wedding Officiants operates at nawoonline.com and the Association of Wedding Ministers at aministry.net. Both offer searchable databases of nondenominational officiants in your area.
A word to the wise - start your search for an officiant at least 6 months in advance of your wedding. This is especially true if you are planning a religious affair and you are planning on a summer or weekend wedding. These times book up very quickly. In addition, some premarital counselling sessions may be required - which may involve fees of some sort.
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