How To Choose The Best Wedding Officiant In Denver

By Helene Norris


It is not easy to have a marriage ceremony without stress. However, with proper arrangements, it is quite possible. There are finer details that most people forget to plan for. While it is obvious to remember something such as selecting the venue and ordering the cake, it is easy to forget to hire a marriage commissioner. When you want a wedding officiant in Denver you can trust, consider the tips provided below.

Decide on the type of event you want to hold. Remember that there are religious, non-religious and spiritual ceremonies. Some officials may not officiate over the wedding, especially if they feel that the beliefs of the couple do not conform to their faiths. Therefore, the type of ceremony will determine whether you will work with a church minister or a civil officer.

Know the venue before you search for an officiant. There are officials who will not agree to officiate the marriage at some locations. This happens mainly when one is dealing with church priests. Sometimes, it may have nothing to do with the individual, but the distance. Ensure that the place would not require many hours of traveling.

After these considerations, you can then start searching for an officiant. You can ask for contacts from recently married friends and relatives. However, you can also seek professional assistance from your wedding planner. If they have many years of experience in the industry, then they should have a long list of officials they can suggest to clients.

Seek references. If you have gathered a few names but you have not contacted them, then you can use the internet. Check their websites or run their names and see what other clients have to say about their experiences. You can establish their credibility without even having to get in touch with them.

Narrow your list to at least three officials. Find some time to interview these people so that you can get a personal connection. It would be unwise to hire someone you have met online without having an interview with them in-person. Ask them about their experience with such ceremonies. You should also know whether they are licensed in your state.

Ask for conditions you need to be aware of. It would be frustrating to relax knowing that you have an officiant for your wedding only to find that they cannot officiate the marriage because you failed to follow some guidelines. Some churches, for example, do not accept money when their officials are officiating events. However, you can always pay them by offering to give the payment as charity to organizations they run.

Ask about the fees upfront. Many commercial officiants have fees structures that are based on things such as venue and ceremony size. Therefore, meet with the individual in advance so that you can discuss all the details before you can make a choice.

Check for trade organization memberships. A serious official should be registered with the AAWO or even with the Colorado Association of Wedding Officiants. This ensures that they are committed to professionalism.

Choose a wedding officiant in Denver who you are comfortable being around. You do not want to end up with an official that contradicts most of your beliefs. Have a one-on-one discussion about both of your expectations. This will create a better understanding for both parties.




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