Your Officiant: 18 Questions to Ask

When you meet with a potential officiant, you'll discuss your wedding plans, find out if the officiant is open to your ideas, ask about any requirements, and decide if the three of you want to work together. If you're speaking to clergy, don't say you love the site but could take or leave the religion -- you should be intrigued by more than just the architecture. Here's an overview of questions to ask your intended officiant.

BEFORE THE MEETING
# Is the officiant available on your date?
# What documents should you bring to the first meeting?
# Are there any special rules or restrictions?
# Is the officiant open to personalized vows, readings, poems, or music?
# Will the officiant give a sermon or speech?
# What kind of pre-wedding counseling is required, if any?
# What is the ceremony fee?

WHEN YOU MEET
# Can you tour the sanctuary or ceremony room? (Check seating capacity, number of aisles, general layout, and wheelchair accessibility, if that's a concern.)
# What does the site provide and what would you provide yourselves (pew ribbons, runner, flowers, candles)?
# Are there any restrictions on the type of music you can play or on the readings?
# Will the officiant offer input on your vows and proposed readings?
# Will you have input on the sermon and/or hear it in advance?
# Is there a dress code?
# Can the officiant help you deal with family conflicts connected to the ceremony?
# Should you bring your marriage license to the ceremony, or will you sign it before the wedding?
# Can you have a videographer and photographer in the sanctuary/ceremony room?
# When should the rehearsal be held?
# Would the officiant (and his/her spouse) like to come to the reception and rehearsal dinner? Would he/she play a role there (such as giving a blessing)?