How far in advance should you book your officiant?

@Chivy, actually that would be a fair response.

If you ask me where to get a good burger but I don't eat burgers and an unsure as to where you can get one, I'll give you an alternative that I do know is a good one (i.e. how to make/where to find good pizza)

LMAO @GymRat you honestly make me laugh every. Single. Day. Thank you for being you.

@OP, you are quite a character. Ask your "officiant" whenever TF you want to. You wouldn't take our advice no matter what we said. I do not know why you bother asking.

Why would you wait? Get the contract signed!

@Gymmie me when I don't have sugar poison

Chivy, how old are you? Have you never signed a contract?

I'm assuming you haven't, if you don't know why they're important.

Chivy, Though you didn't ask, they are trying to make sure you're protected. Even still, life happens. My hair stylist is one of my closest friends. However, I am still paying for her services even and though she may offer me a generous discount , we still have paperwork. Not necessarily for legality but in the event that LIFE happens.

The contract should contain clauses and verbiage that prevents either party from inexplicably pulling a "no show"of any kind. What about acts of God? Extreme weather? You want to ensure you and your friend are protected. Though you may not sue, what are you going to do in the event that as I say again, "Life Happens". I kind of think your question warranted confusion but I do think the intentions of the women were to answer your questions even though they were concerned. Your wedding is next year, you can put a deposit down so that you can afford it. This isn't something that should be taken lightly. This is one of the most important days of your life, don't just straddle the fence. Do it the right way

So a pro that we do not know can work with us to make it personal, but someone we actually know and care about cannot? How? It may not be his job, but he's done weddings before. I trust him.

and @MrsRichmond a couple of the ladies had helpful advice that I appreciate and will be considering. So your negativity is completely uncalled for.

If you want him to be your officiant, and all the legalities are fine, then you ask him once you're ready to commit, sooner rather than later. That way if he doesn't want to commit to you now, you can find somebody else, or if he does then it is settled. I understand not pursuing legal action against him if he decided not to, but you still need a back up plan if you are using him as a friend doing the services than a professional who is your friend in case he does back out.

Cierra, you have a contract with your friend so in the event that life happens, what's your next step? Are you prepared to legally enforce it?

If you're not going to sue, wouldn't the solution to "life happening" be the same with or without a contract?

How old are you?

It covers me in the event we need to reschedule and/or she or I have to be compensated for lost time and/wages. I'm not saying that my friend is capable of this but she's a professional and this is the one the biggest days of my life. Do we have a team of lawyers? Of course! But a breach in contract doesn't always end in court. There are many different ways to litigate it. It's all in HOW you write the verbiage of your contract.

I commend you for wanting to cover your friend. I honestly do, and writing a contract and is nothing short just writing a professional diagram outlining what is expected and what is not. It's not just about money!

I'm trying very hard to understand this post. If you're not actually booking an officiant, this question is completely irrelevant? I am also having a hard time understanding why you are holding out telling him your date if he's such a good friend? Why can't you just say "Our wedding date is X, we hope you are available." I am also surprised at how nonchalantly you are treating him canceling. Do you have a back up plan if he cancels much closer to the wedding and then you truly need to "book an officiant."

I'm just not seeing the purpose of the question, when you are not really booking. You are just telling a friend a date?

Thanks, Cierra. You gave me a different way to look at it. I just wanted to understand it's necessity in the context of my situation.

Jersey- that's the million dollar question, but OP probably won't answer because if its not exactly what she asked and or what she doesn't deem relevant, she won't answer.

Ah, I see.

LMAO @ sugar poisoning!! I just can't even go there again today. SMH

There is literally no way at all Chivy is not trolling us. And we are falling for each and every fucking time. This person has brought up (either in his/her own post or in others) every single click bait, hot topic we have on WW. He/She has given every piece of advice against normal etiquette and now is contradicting him/herself. A couple of days ago he/she was WAYYY too far out to book a caterer. But now you need a post to ask when is too early to book an officiant that (surprise, surprise) isn't actually an officiant and just a friendor? Whoever you are OP, you're good and you're dedicated. And at this point, I can do nothing but applaud you.

We've seen way too many butthurt people come and go. If you were real, you would have bailed by now because every single time you post, 99% of people tell you your idea is horrible. You have agreed with nothing and have dismissed every piece of advice you've received. Why would anyone stick around for that day in and day out for the next 16 months??

MODS- I really hope you guys are being proactive about this user and looking at the possibility of multiple accounts and at past banned users to see who this person really is.

@Beut Agreed. Same thread different topic every time from OP

FSS, a truly great officiant will not only make it personal to you, they will actually show up. And talk you off the ledge. And let you know how to get your license. And file it.

And if they can't the contract will have a clause that says they will find a suitable replacement.

Congrats on getting more stars though.