Asking a relative/friend to officiate?

I have a cousin that i asked to officiate for us. I was worried he'd feel obligated and just said if he didn't want to we would totally understand

We are having a friend officiate our wedding. I think it depends on the person. He was so excited and honored that he immediately started looking into how to get ordained, etc. It definitely IS a lot to ask someone... but I think that in most cases, people find it very flattering! In my opinion, it makes everything that much more special, too! Especially in our case as we aren't religious and don't have a family church minister or anything like that where sentimental value would come into play.

If I "lose" a wedding, I lose $200-$250 avg.

How much would it cost a couple for a "do over" if the first was not legal?

And, yes, we pros were all novices at one point. I remember my knees knocking at my first ceremony. But, I've officiated over 1,450 ceremonies now and can deal with whatever comes up.

I asked my grandfather. I was going to ask him for my first marriage until we decided to elope. This time I knew I wanted him to do it. He is a retired minister and it is something I have thought about since I was in middle school or high school that if he was still around when I got married I wanted him to do it. I called him up on the phone and just asked him. I didn't do it in person because we live about 5 hours apart. When I called to let them know we were engaged I just asked if he would marry us. When we set the date and told him when it was. Turned out to be his 55th anniversary the same day.

I think that's wonderful.

I think to each their own. In the end, it's a wedding ceremony. It's an important day but it is not THE most important day I will have in my life. My marriage is the most important part, and I trust my aunt to make it special and I think everyone has to do what feels right to them.

I'm a law student; I'm not worried about legalities. It's what I love and live for. We'll navigate it just fine.

How did you ask???