Officiant Gift

Just another vote that it's totally fine to have a non-pro officiant, and we have a similar back up plan (someone else can fill in reading their part, party for everyone, court house later). We also unintentionally have a couple of other people on our guest list who can perform weddings, so depending on who fills in it may still be legal anyway.

Can't help w gift/payment though, we are still debating that one. I appreciate the tips here.

Is he traveling for your wedding? If so, you could offer to pay for his hotel stay.

My cousin is marrying us (he's officiated quite a few weddings). We are getting him some of his favorite cigars & a generous gift card.

I am #teampro, but if you want to do it this way, think about what you'd get your uncle for his birthday or Christmas.

Why do you guys do this to yourselves, honestly? Back up plans, writing your own ceremonies...

Just because they can, doesn't mean they should.

I am here to follow for my own sake, plus to join in the UO that a non-pro CAN BE fine. I completely acknowledge that it's not always fine and that yes, there are horror stories out there of people backing out, making mistakes, etc.

I am having a dear friend 'officiate' mine. I'm getting married in PA, where you can get a self-uniting license. Translation: no officiant needed, legally. In our sake it would just be for show, more of a master of ceremonies, so there's no risk of her ruining the legal marriage aspect.

I think that if you're a couple who would be mortified by mistakes or anything ruining your perfect day, go pro. But I have been to very laid back ceremonies that were NOT perfect, complete with some small do-overs and laughs--more on the side of the couple than the officiant!--, but they were perfect for the personality of that particular couple and completely endearing. (Think: the couple forgot to cut the tags off the rings and had to yell out to their guests to see if anyone had scissors, plus more things of that nature.)

I'm wondering this also, a close friend will be officiating ours!

1. Make sure it is legal where you're getting married.

2. Make sure your non-pro knows how to handle the marriage license/certificate.

3. Make sure your non-pro knows what to say to make it legal.

4. Make sure your non-pro knows what you want him to say/not say. That will probably mean you researching and writing the ceremony yourself.

5. Make sure you have a back-up plan in case your non-pro bales on you. Like Celia, I've received many of those last-minute, desperate phone calls.

6. Make sure the license/certificate gets processed after the ceremony (even if you're on your honeymoon).

OR hire a pro and don't worry!

There are a lot of things pros do to make your marriage legal and valid, you don't want to risk your uncle forgetting to look something up or filing something properly because he didn't know any better.

Hire a pro.

I'm hiring a pro for my non-religious ceremony. To me, having a friend or family member do it is unsettling for the aforementioned reasons. I have no idea what exactly has to be said or done to make it legal, so I'm going pro!

I paying my pastor about 140

My grandfather is going to be our officiant, we are going to give him money but he's very proud of our Scottish heritage, so i got him a personalized gift with the clan crest and colors as well