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Sinéad
WeddingWire Administrator January 2025

Who's officiating?

Sinéad, on October 8, 2019 at 11:05 AM

Posted in Wedding Ceremony 97

Have you chosen your officiant? Are you asking a close friend or family member to do the honors, or are you hiring a professional officiant? Who’s officiating your wedding? Image from Aretha Gaskin - Officiant in Westfield, NJ Next Question: Who’s doing a ceremony reading? Back to the Beginning:...

Have you chosen your officiant? Are you asking a close friend or family member to do the honors, or are you hiring a professional officiant?

Who’s officiating your wedding?

cfb_1300353.jpg

Image from Aretha Gaskin - Officiant in Westfield, NJ




Next Question: Who’s doing a ceremony reading?

Back to the Beginning: Who’s who in your “I do” crew?


97 Comments

  • Delaney
    Savvy December 2020
    Delaney ·
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    We were originally going to have one of our high school teachers do the officiating, however, my FMIL is a wedding planner and said he isn't the best option... so we're planning on asking my FH's pastor from the church he grew up in to do it!

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  • Amber
    Dedicated September 2020
    Amber ·
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    My Dads neighbor is a pastor and a family friend so he is going to marry us for free! Smiley smile
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  • Florida Marlins
    Expert October 2017
    Florida Marlins ·
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    We had a friend (hubby asked him before discussing it with me) and I do NOT recommend. It turned out okay, but he did not take it as seriously as I would have liked (both guys had never been married so they had no CLUE what it entails) and when I expressed concern, I was "acting crazy." No need for that stress, my friends! Have a contract, sign it and BE VERY CLEAR with expectations. I sent a reading I wanted read, and he came back with: "That was written by Henry Ford, who had some racist views." Like who the heck in my family will know that? (There was NOTHING objectionable in the reading, btw.) So.....hire a pro!!!

    • Reply
  • Stacy
    Savvy September 2020
    Stacy ·
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    We are getting married in an Antiochian Orthodox Christian church so our priest will be doing the honors
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  • Meagan
    Dedicated July 2021
    Meagan ·
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    My fiance's sister is a Pastor and she is officiating!
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  • Flame Princess
    Dedicated April 2021
    Flame Princess ·
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    We're trying to get ahold of FH's childhood friend to officiate. Its very early in this process and mostly playing phone tag, but its fun.
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  • MeetTheRobinsons
    Devoted June 2020
    MeetTheRobinsons ·
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    We went with a professional officiant... Betsy Peterson with Say I Do
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  • Anna
    VIP October 2020
    Anna ·
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    We thought we'd decided but now I'm second guessing a bit. We were going to go with my current pastor, but now I might be leaning towards reaching out to my previous pastor. My current pastor just started with my church this past August, but the previous one who retired (and still lives nearby) was my pastor for 30 years. I'm not sure, especially since we'll be moving and I'll be leaving my home church after the wedding. But maybe I'm putting too much thought/significance into who marries us.

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  • Katharine
    Expert July 2021
    Katharine ·
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    We originally had a friend doing it but he's dealing with some personal issues and didn't feel like he could do it justice (pun intended). So we are now planning on a back up - a girl from a group we're part of who's done a few weddings. We already met with her about a month and a half ago, though I do need to reach out to see where she's at with organizing a ceremony.

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  • Mrs.a
    Master October 2021
    Mrs.a ·
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    I asked my Sensei with my Sangha
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  • J
    Savvy June 2021
    Jacklyn ·
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    We are still struggling with this. He does not consider himself religious so he would prefer someone we know. I just don't know who would do a good job. If anyone has any tips on this I would appreciate it.

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  • C
    Dedicated August 2021
    Charlotte ·
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    Growing up, my dad was the pastor of our church. He baptized all 5 of us kids and officiated the wedding of my older brother. Ever since I was a little girl, I knew he'd be he pastor to officiate my wedding. Even though he is retired from the church, his ordination still stands. So after walking me down the aisle, he'll place my hand in my FH's hand, turn around, and begin the ceremony. I'm sure there won't be a dry eye in the room, I get teary-eyed just thinking about it.

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  • Mrs. Spring
    Master April 2021
    Mrs. Spring ·
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    Odd ball again. My FH will be officiating it
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  • M
    Super October 2022
    Michele ·
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    Hiring a pro for peace of mind
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  • Vale
    Dedicated October 2021
    Vale ·
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    My officiant has known me since I was about eight years old. He's known my fiance for at least 5 years. A longtime family friend, colleague, and part of our crazy professional Wrestling industry that brought us all together in the first place.
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  • Katie
    Dedicated May 2023
    Katie ·
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    My father, brother, and FH are actually all ordained through the Universal Life Church oddly enough! FH became ordained to officiate FSIL's wedding (his sister). It was very sweet and he did a great job. For us, I want to put my brother on FH's side as a groomsman but was opposed to having my father officiate because I thought it might be weird and paternalistic? But hearing from so many of you who are having or had your fathers officiate, I am beginning to warm up to the idea. I really couldn't think of anyone else who I wanted to do it without pulling potential groomsmen (and I already have more bridesmaids than he has groomsmen, so I wanted to prevent a lopsided wedding party!). We're still aways off so I'm going to think about it some more, but if my dad is willing it might be a great idea!

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  • Squeezy Bean
    Devoted June 2023
    Squeezy Bean ·
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    I want my brother to officiate us.
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