Discover all you need to know to officiate your best friend’s wedding. Find out why ‘By the power vested in me…’ are words you will never forget.
In order for a marriage to be legally binding, the wedding ceremony itself must include two key elements. Discover all you need to know to officiate your best friend’s wedding.
So, you’ve been asked to officiate your best friend’s wedding. Definitely on fleek. To be entrusted by one’s best friend to take the sacred role of a priest or judicial official in his or her wedding is a big deal. Forget fear and anxiety, doing the honor is a full and rewarding experience.
Still, you may want to take a quick look at what you need to know and how to prepare to officiate your best friend’s wedding.
Definitely, you need to be a legal officiant to officiate your best friend’s wedding. Each state has its own say on who can and cannot officiate marriage ceremonies; even legalities in individual municipalities within states vary as well.
Overall, it’s a simple process that can take place online. But most states do require marriage officiants to be over 18 years old.
Next, call the registrar in the township hosting the wedding and find out the criteria for legality. The internet is your buddy. Check online to get the rules and policies that apply to your state.
Be creative when officiating a friend’s wedding. This alternative unity ceremony will help love grow.
Have the officiant wear a GoPro during the wedding and get a whole new perspective on the ceremony.
Although you are officiating your best friend’s wedding, it is still their wedding. Have a sit-down with the couple you are marrying and hash things out. Ask them if they can provide a basic outline you could later personalize. You don’t want to ruin their moment by deviating from the tone and vibe they have in mind.
Are there specific traditions to incorporate, or family members to recognize? Are certain religious rites included? Is it going for to be an offbeat and informal affair, or a serious and important tribute?
Moreover, some couples like surprises when their best friend officiates their wedding, while others want veto power on every detail of the ceremony. Regardless of their preference, know their stance on risqué jokes or references. You might know your soon-to-be-wed pals to the letter, but never jump to conclusions or make assumptions.
Ask, take note, and make their day lit.
Love this romantic wedding photo captured by Robert Hall Photography. A home ceremony in Michigan.
One of the most expected moments of the wedding ceremony: the kiss. Photo: Lisa Czech Photography.
Don’t forget about the send off part of the ceremony. Use cute prints or newspaper to make the cones and your wedding colors for the confetti.
Starting earlier—weeks or months before the wedding—will keep you in control. Study wedding clips (similar to the one you’ll be officiating) and take note of length, specific jokes, structure, traditions, etc.
In preparing your delivery, collect memorable materials specific to the couple, and enlist the help of an editor if necessary. If the couple doesn’t want surprises, run your final wedding script by them and get their veto.
Jewish law does not require that marriages be performed by a rabbi. Photo: G. Chapin Studios.
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