How to ask my brother to officiate?

If you want to do it in person then I would go out to dinner. Otherwise I think a phone call would be just fine! I would say something along the lines of "FH/FW and I would be honored if you would officiate our wedding ceremony" I would also insist that you are treated just like any other couple and have a contract. I would also offer the same payment for his services, he may decline in which I would still give a generous gift.

I love the idea of having someone close to the couple be the officiant. We are having a close friend do ours, and FH has done it for his college best friends.

Spaghetti's wording and advice is perfect, IMO

Do you have any issues with your ceremony having religious wording? If not then there is nothing else to worry about. But if you are...maybe think about that a little harder before you ask him since that might make him uncomfortable.

Call him. Have a frank talk about what you want in the ceremony and what he might have to put in there.

Offer the same pay, get a contract.

Since your wedding is a year away you have plenty of time to ask him in person. A phone call is fine but in person might be nicer.

We are going to ask my cousin but haven't seen him in person to do it yet.

Thanks everyone! I like the idea of asking him in person so I'll wait for my next visit home and FH and I will invite him to dinner. I don't mind having religion as part of my ceremony. If he agrees, then I'm certain there will be a good bit. Thank you all!

If you have very different thoughts on what marriage means and what a wedding ceremony should be, I would suggest not even going there. What if the ceremony he puts together includes things you are uncomfortable with?

That's a great point. But, I think I'll cross that bridge when we get there. My first thought/worry is that he'll feel obliged since I'm his little sister. I want him to feel excited and honored not obligated and pressured. I'm very close to my brother and we've had frank discussions about religion. If either of us start to feel like it's not right, we'll be fine.

Thanks again!

You can only ask and you can't control how anyone will feel. Sounds like you have a very close relationship and as long as your honest and clear with him I'm sure you'll be fine.

My uncle is a minister but lives in another state. I called him up and he was thrilled!

I love that idea! My uncle/god father is going to officiate my wedding.

I think it would be more special if you ask him in person, but whatever is more convenient for you.

I think he will be excited either way. Good luck!

What a wonderful idea

We asked my BF by giving him a little globe and telling him it would mean the world to us if he officiated our wedding. It was so cute!