Frequently Asked Questions
What’s a wedding officiant?
A wedding officiant is someone with the legal authority to perform civil wedding ceremonies. Other civil officials who perform weddings are judges and mayors and, in some states, justices of the peace. Wedding officiants are sometimes called marriage officiants or wedding ministers.
Why do couples choose to be married by a wedding officiant?
Couples choose to be married by a wedding officiant for a variety of reasons: neither the bride or groom are religious or affiliated with a religious institution; they are of different faiths; the wedding is a second marriage; the couple prefers to create their own ceremony, one that reflects their beliefs, feelings for each other and for family members and friends.
What’s the difference between a wedding ceremony performed by a judge or mayor and one conducted by a wedding officiant?
Judges and mayors usually offer a “one size fits all” ceremony and prefer to marry couples in their chambers or office. Wedding officiants work with couples to create a personalized ceremony unique to them. Unlike judges or mayors, wedding officiants always conduct the ceremony at the place of the couples’ choosing – commonly at the venue where the reception and dinner is held.
What does a wedding ceremony look like?
See Sample Ceremonies
What is included in a traditional wedding ceremony?
Traditional wedding ceremonies usually include: a greeting by the officiant, exchanging wedding rings, taking vows, and various rituals of the couple's choosing. See Common Rituals
What will I receive after my ceremony is written? You will receive a written script that contains all the instructions for the order of entry, the flow of the ceremony, copy that the officiant will read as well as whatever what others who participate in the ceremony will read (usually poems or readings). See Sample Ceremonies
What's the first step?
Meet with me at a time and place convenient for you. I'll get to know you -- your likes and dislikes and what kind of ceremony you are interested in. I'll show you examples of ceremonies I think will meet you needs and present you with ideas and options for your ceremony. These are the building blocks of a ceremony expressly for you.
What will I receive once the ceremony is written?
Your ceremony will be in the form of a script. It will contain the instructions for the entrance of the bridal party, the order of the ceremony, the copy (who speaks which words), and the order of exit of the bridal party.
What can be included in wedding ceremonies?
Pretty much anything you want – within reason and good taste! The only requirements are that you take vows promising to take your fiancé as your husband or wife, that you exchange wedding rings and that the person who conducts the ceremony pronounce you legally married. Other than that, it’s up to you.
Rituals and readings are often included in wedding ceremonies. See Common Rituals These can be spiritual, religious, non-denominational or non-religious. You can also choose whether or not to mention the Deity in your service.
Not all elements of the wedding ceremony have to be solemn and serious. Although most people don’t think that humor can be included in a wedding ceremony, there's no reason why it can't be. In fact, many couples nowadays like to include something humorous – often anecdotes that poke fun at each other. Some couples write their own, humorous vows. In my experience, humor is invariably well received. See Humor
A wedding officiant is someone with the legal authority to perform civil wedding ceremonies. Other civil officials who perform weddings are judges and mayors and, in some states, justices of the peace. Wedding officiants are sometimes called marriage officiants or wedding ministers.
Why do couples choose to be married by a wedding officiant?
Couples choose to be married by a wedding officiant for a variety of reasons: neither the bride or groom are religious or affiliated with a religious institution; they are of different faiths; the wedding is a second marriage; the couple prefers to create their own ceremony, one that reflects their beliefs, feelings for each other and for family members and friends.
What’s the difference between a wedding ceremony performed by a judge or mayor and one conducted by a wedding officiant?
Judges and mayors usually offer a “one size fits all” ceremony and prefer to marry couples in their chambers or office. Wedding officiants work with couples to create a personalized ceremony unique to them. Unlike judges or mayors, wedding officiants always conduct the ceremony at the place of the couples’ choosing – commonly at the venue where the reception and dinner is held.
What does a wedding ceremony look like?
See Sample Ceremonies
What is included in a traditional wedding ceremony?
Traditional wedding ceremonies usually include: a greeting by the officiant, exchanging wedding rings, taking vows, and various rituals of the couple's choosing. See Common Rituals
What will I receive after my ceremony is written? You will receive a written script that contains all the instructions for the order of entry, the flow of the ceremony, copy that the officiant will read as well as whatever what others who participate in the ceremony will read (usually poems or readings). See Sample Ceremonies
What's the first step?
Meet with me at a time and place convenient for you. I'll get to know you -- your likes and dislikes and what kind of ceremony you are interested in. I'll show you examples of ceremonies I think will meet you needs and present you with ideas and options for your ceremony. These are the building blocks of a ceremony expressly for you.
What will I receive once the ceremony is written?
Your ceremony will be in the form of a script. It will contain the instructions for the entrance of the bridal party, the order of the ceremony, the copy (who speaks which words), and the order of exit of the bridal party.
What can be included in wedding ceremonies?
Pretty much anything you want – within reason and good taste! The only requirements are that you take vows promising to take your fiancé as your husband or wife, that you exchange wedding rings and that the person who conducts the ceremony pronounce you legally married. Other than that, it’s up to you.
Rituals and readings are often included in wedding ceremonies. See Common Rituals These can be spiritual, religious, non-denominational or non-religious. You can also choose whether or not to mention the Deity in your service.
Not all elements of the wedding ceremony have to be solemn and serious. Although most people don’t think that humor can be included in a wedding ceremony, there's no reason why it can't be. In fact, many couples nowadays like to include something humorous – often anecdotes that poke fun at each other. Some couples write their own, humorous vows. In my experience, humor is invariably well received. See Humor
Jeffrey M. Goldstein
New Jersey Wedding Officiant
tel:908-232-7462
cell: 908-246-9049
email: jgoldstein1942@yahoo.com
New Jersey Wedding Officiant
tel:908-232-7462
cell: 908-246-9049
email: jgoldstein1942@yahoo.com
