The first thing you and your intended bride or groom must do is decide if you want a religious or secular ceremony. This highly personal decision will obviously impact who will marry you.
An Independent Ordained Minister -- If you did a search online, you will find quite a few ordained ministers willing to perform your wedding ceremony. Do your research. There are some questions below to ask to see if the person you want for your wedding is right for you. You may want to come up with your own list of questions to ask potential officiants when you meet them. The officiants at Weddings and More TX are professionals, have been in business since 2010, and have performed over 300 ceremonies. Besides being able to travel to you, they also offer small and personal elopement ceremonies in their home.
A Justice of the Peace -- Courtroom ceremonies can be very impersonal, so be sure that this is what you want to do.Contact the county clerk's office where you will get your marriage license. They should have a list of local Justices of the Peace who are willing to perform wedding ceremonies. These ceremonies are typically short (about 10 minutes), and are sometimes done with several couples at the same time.
A Friend or Relative -- This is fast becoming a popular option, as couples look for a more personal element in their ceremony. Others have chosen to get ordained on the internet through the Universal Life Church, but before you choose this option, you'll want to talk to your county clerk's office or Secretary of State's office to make sure that it is recognized in your state. The officiants at Weddings and More TX are ordained through the Universal Life Church, and it is recognized in the state of Texas.
If you already have a family clergyperson, or you're getting married in a house of worship, your choice is relatively straightforward. I suggest still meeting with that person to discuss the questions below and making sure you're comfortable with them.
Otherwise, you'll need to decide first what denomination best fits with your beliefs. Once you've done that, contact your local house of worship to ask if their religious rules allow them to marry people in secular settings. You might attend some worship services to get a sense of different officiants' styles, then meet with them to make sure that they are available on your date, and amenable to the type of wedding you envision. Like any important job, don't just give it to the first interviewee! Talk to a couple different people and choose the one that you are the most comfortable with.
Questions for the Officiant
- How much are we allowed to customize the ceremony? Can we write our own vows?
- Will you marry us even if we are not current members of your church/synagogue/etc? How do we become members?
- If we are of different faiths, or one of us is not religious, is that a problem?
- One of us is divorced, does your religion allow you to marry us?
- Are we required to attend any classes or counseling before the wedding?
- Will our non-religious friends be allowed to participate in the ceremony, including giving readings, singing, or (if appropriate) taking communion?
- How will you be dressed for the ceremony?
- What are your costs for the ceremony?
