If there’s one aspect of your wedding you shouldn’t overlook, it’s finding an officiant. The officiant will be responsible for conducting your wedding ceremony, so it’s important that you take the time to find an individual who works for both you and your partner. Here is how to pick the perfect wedding officiant for your wedding.

Religious or Secular?

You should discuss whether you want a religious or secular wedding ceremony. If you’re thinking of having a religious ceremony, you’ll need to find an officiant (e.g., a priest or rabbi) who fits you and your future spouse’s religious beliefs. On the other hand, if you’re not particularly religious, a secular officiant is a good option for your ceremony—even a good friend or someone close to you in your life, who has known you both.

Do Your Research

One of the easiest ways to track down an officiant is to start searching online. Certain websites, like Wedding Wire, feature large databases of wedding officiants and other wedding professionals within particular geographic regions. You can sort by price, specialties, and even read reviews for each officiant.

Ask Other Wedding Professionals

One of the best ways to find an officiant is to reach out to other wedding professionals and ask for their advice. Oftentimes, someone like a photographer or caterer who works regularly in your area might be able to provide a recommendation for an officiant that might fit your needs.

Authorization

Not just anyone can be an officiant. Make sure you do a little homework to make sure that the officiant you end up picking is fully qualified to conduct a ceremony in the state. For example, some states allow online-certified officiants to lead weddings, while others do not. California allows Deputy Commissioners of Marriages for one day, for friends & family to officiate a wedding; but Virginia often does not recognize such ordination, and requires ministry registration. Just remember to check with the clerk’s office and read up on the state’s marriage laws before making your decision.

Testimonials & References

Many officiants have recordings of their past services or ceremonies listed online so that potential clients can check their work. If you end up finding an officiant online, search for them on social media to view past clips, read testimonials, or ask for references. Picking an officiant is important and it is entirely appropriate to request examples of previous officiated ceremonies.

Remember to take your time when searching for a wedding officiant. The key thing to remember when figuring out how to pick the perfect wedding officiant for your wedding is to do your research, ask for references, and communicate with your partner about your expectations and desires.