Uncle officiant??

If you're at all close to your uncle, I'm sure he would be honored to officiate your wedding. If he doesn't want to then fine, but it would be so nice to be married by a family member!

Vendors being able to comment would have been really helpful right now because Celia would have been able to provide you with the perf advice- but whatever.

Friendors are usually never a good idea. I've heard horror stories of the family member going on a rant or bantering on and telling stories and not focusing on the wedding-- and i'm sure all of those people thought it couldn't happen to them either.

A professional will make your ceremony just as special as your uncle would in your mind i'm sure.

Has he Officiated any weddings before? Certified to perform, what does that mean? He’s ordained or no? It’s not as easy as it seems. Professional officiants take time to get to know you and create an amazingly personal ceremony.

Also, not every state acknowledges online ordained ministers. Every state is different in regards to laws, and who’s legally able to perform wedding ceremonies. Check your local county clerk for such I formation.

He's doing my cousins wedding next September, in the same state. Which is also something I'm wondering, would it be like stepping on her toes if I ask him being he's doing hers? Would this upset her?

It depends on your relationship with your uncle and if you trust him to do the ceremony you would want. I would hopeee your cousin wouldn't mind he's both your family member...

It would be good to have Celia's input right about now.

I can't help you except to say that Friendors have not worked out well so many times on here.

You said it yourself in your second sentence - "how awful it is to ask family members to do things for your wedding" (i.e., work for you wedding). I would recommend searching for a pro. If your uncle approaches you about marrying you guys, that's a little better, but I'd still consider hiring a pro rather than having him work.

A professional officiant who you mesh well with will not be weird. They'll take the time to get to know you and your future spouse and they'll personalize the ceremony. We found our officiant just by Googling, and didn't actually meet her until our wedding day (bad weather kept us from meeting, but we Skyped) - and she was AWESOME! There are so many great officiants out there; as long as you hire a professional, it won't be "weird"

Awesome, thanks Rachel!

My grandfather officiated my first wedding and I have zero regrets. We're asking a friend this time, but moving forward with knowledge of the risks of asking a friend to do this.

FH uncle is our officiant. 👌🏻

I think officiant is different than a typical friendor. If he’s done this before, I think you’re safe and he’d probably be honored you asked. He might not approach you because he doesn’t want to put you in a difficult position. So I would definitely ask.

We asked a friend and they bailed on us. So we ended up hiring someone. I’m always on team hire a professional.

My uncle will be the officiant at my wedding. He’s an ordained pastor and has done many weddings, including my cousin’s, so I know he’ll be professional. It was nice because he shared just a brief little bit about being her uncle and got on with everything. It was sweet and not overdone or embarrassing at all.

My uncle is our officiant. He's a minister and our wedding isn't the first (or last) one he's done. We wanted to be married by someone that we know. And he was honored that we asked

I asked my uncle to be my officiant and he was delighted to do it. Our family is very close and it isn't the same as having family "work" your wedding.

Okay so I have a similar situation but he is NOT doing the wedding. Its my finaces uncle and he has married a lot of family and he is very good at it - however I have been to a wedding that he didn’t have to officiate at, but was just a guest, and he expressed how much nicer it was because he personally never gets to enjoy the weddings and is usually stressed out. That was before we got engaged but it made me look at it differently. I know if we asked him, he would definitely say yes and wouldn’t complain, but I don’t want anyone of our family to dread coming to our wedding by being “used” even if they are okay with it. If that make sense? I just want our wedding to be fun for everyone, especially family, and for it to be a fun experience rather than a job. We also have a cousin who makes cakes and I am not asking her because she also gets stuck doing the cakes (usually without pay for family) and it really stresses her out, BUT she would never say no. I think its best to just find someone else to offciate the wedding than a family or friend, and that also goes for other vendors as well!

Now as for our wedding, our minister will be doing ours, so I don’t know how you find somebody if you don’t attend a church - but I’m sure others can help you with that on here!

I think you should go for it! We asked a family friend, who is like an aunt to me, and we’re so excited!

I think it would be sweet especially if you are close to him. We asked a family member who has been there for me and FH since the day we got started dating. I wouldn't have it any other way.

I am not usually for friendors but I personally do not think that applies to officiants. I would way rather have someone who really knows us marry us. I have seen it in every wedding I have been too and it is always so heart warming and turned out great.

FHs uncle is officiating our wedding. He’s done most of the weddings in our church and he offered to do it for us. I don’t think it’s bad as long as they are experienced and have offered.