Inspiration

Choosing Your Wedding Officiant

While it is your wedding planner who runs your entire wedding day, during the ceremony your officiant is in charge. They are at the top of the "need to know" list when it comes to the order of procedures, special instructions, acknowledging specific attendees, and keeping your ceremony running smoothly and on time.

Calgary is home to many of Canada's most talented wedding professionals, however the province of Alberta limits the number of ordained officiants. That means the closer you get to your wedding day, the fewer officiants will have availability. Planning and booking your officiant ahead of time means you can find someone who resonates with you. While you don't have to have a deep, intense bond, it's important you book someone you will feel confident to manage your wedding ceremony.

How do you find the perfect officiant, and what should you look for? First and foremost, you need to find someone legally certified. While your friend's cousin's roommate might have been ordained online, for something this important we recommend that you go with a professional.

Then, define what you value in an officiant. When you close your eyes, what type of person do you see performing your vows? After you've answered a few of these questions, ask your married friends what they thought of their officiant. Word of mouth is still one of the most valuable referrals methods when sourcing wedding professionals.

Sources

Silver Photography/PMG Image