Having Friends or Family Officiate
Wednesday, 13 January 2010 15:08
The Wedding Officiant
Your wedding day happens to be one of the greatest highlights of your life. But what if you're not sure about your choice of officiant? If you have no particular religious affiliation, yet you don't want a colder "civil" feel to a ceremony by being married by a stranger, what can you do? You might consider asking a beloved family member or a friend to officiate your wedding. This can add a special, memorable touch to your wedding ceremony.
Legal Online Ordination
You're probably wondering if that's legal where you live. We've all seen movies or heard stories about couples marrying, but the marriage license wasn't official or the officiant had shady credentials. Then, a nightmare ensued for the poor couple. It doesn't have to be that way for you. Your family member, be it a grandparent or favorite uncle or aunt, or godparent, or dear friend, can be ordained through the Universal Life Church online at themonastery.org. Your family member can become a legally ordained officiant and can perform your ceremony legally. This would be a wonderful surprise for family members who'll enjoy seeing one of the family officiate at your wedding.
Close and Creative
Having a friend or family member officiate your wedding will allow you to be very creative with your ceremony format. Many couples today want to write their own vows, and don't want a traditional order of service. If your family member is ordained online and officiates your ceremony, they'll know what's required but also will let you have the freedom to tailor your ceremony to your wishes. The sky's the limit for what you can do.
Maybe you just want to be married in a simple ceremony at the park or at the beach, or in your family's backyard, with your witnesses and your officiant. You can make this an intimate gathering if the officiant is a friend or family member--not you, two witnesses, and a stranger. Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, and if a friend or family member officiates for your special day, it can add even more meaning to your ceremony.