Become an ordained minister Around half the ceremonies in my town are officiated by people who get ordained online. As of this writing online ordination is legal in 47 states, so thousands of people want to know how to get ordained to perform weddings. You can read more about the states that allow it here. Why […]
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Your couple disagrees with you Wedding disagreements are normal but fortunately, don’t happen to me all that often. You’ve been asked to officiate a wedding, but at the end of the day, it’s their ceremony and should be the way your couple wants it. It’s a presentation of their truth, not yours or mine. However, I’ll
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Wedding stress? One of the most frustrating things I face is a couple who doesn’t meet the deadlines I give them. They’re getting married because they’re grownups and grownups can be asked to meet deadlines. Your sanity and stress level matters too! You want to bring your A-game and it’s a team effort, you and your
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You’ve rehearsed and practiced your ceremony, but are you prepared for unexpected noises and distractions? I rehearse every ceremony many times so I’m able to look up from the page and speak to the couple. My discipline has paid off many times over because unwanted distractions happen. The three most common unwanted distractions are babies,
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Avoiding wedding mistakes Many couples choose ceremony elements that include their guests, like the wine box, letter box, unity candle, guest readings, etc. and often times those guests aren’t prepared. Most of the time it’s because the couple forgot to tell them, so I’m always sure to introduce myself to anyone who’s participating before the
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Can a friend or family member officiate my wedding? Yes, in 47 of our 50 states. Online ordinations are widely recognized, with Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Tennessee being notable holdouts. Check your local laws here. Some states require your ordination credential to be filed, so be sure to check with your county. What about other countries? At the time
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What makes a great wedding officiant? Nonverbal communication is perhaps the most important kind of communication. Studies have consistently shown that audience ratings of a lecture are more strongly influenced by delivery style than by content. I’d love to tell you that my ceremony material is all you need to do a great job, but that wouldn’t be
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Wedding professionals Roughly half the weddings here in Scottsdale are officiated by friends or family and their rookie mistakes can be annoying for full-time wedding professionals. Full-time wedding pros include, wedding videographers, wedding coordinators, wedding venue staff, marriage photographers, wedding DJs, makeup artists, and more. Here are a few easy things you can do so that
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Getting along with family My parents got divorced in 1981, when I was only six years old and they still don’t really get along. They often make the room uncomfortable because everyone can pick up on one’s distaste for the other and that’s not cool at all. Unfortunately, the same thing sometimes happens at rehearsals and weddings. If you want to
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Wedding mistakes to avoid When you’re new at anything it’s normal to make mistakes, but when you’re on the microphone in front of a crowd, avoiding the common pitfalls will help you stay comfortable and do a good job for your couple. *Avoid this newbie mistake and check traffic conditions before leaving your home for the wedding. Running
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What is a unity sand ceremony? Symbolism and metaphor are effective ways to dramatize any ceremony. Imagery helps to make a great wedding by starting a new tradition, creating a keepsake, or getting guests involved. Using imagery also makes for excellent photos. Blending sand is a way for couples to symbolize two lives coming together
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How to officiate a wedding ceremony they’ll remember Many friends who’ve gotten ordained online have reached out for help, having no idea where to start with ceremony planning. They need guidance and fast! So, I lead them through my process. The main elements of a contemporary wedding ceremony are:1) Welcoming Guests (thank everyone for coming
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What is a Nondenominational Wedding Ceremony? How is a non religious wedding ceremony different from a nondenominational wedding ceremony? It’s a question that I’m asked every now and then. Nondenominational still implies that the ceremony is Christian in some way, without adhering to a particular sect of Christianity. There are many sects, with 30 or so main denominations. A nonreligious wedding ceremony will
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