Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Who Should Officiate Your Wedding?

By Dr. David Trumble

What makes the right wedding minister for your wedding? What qualifications do you want in your wedding minister?

Consider the character of your wedding minister? Does he demonstrate professionalism, confidence, good communication skills, and a considerate helpful attitude?

Will just anybody do for your wedding? You decide. Remember you can choose a clunker, mediocre, or a super star wedding minister.

Is your wedding minister legally authorized to perform weddings? Double check. Your wedding minister should be authorized by your state and ordained or authorized by an appropriate religious or social agency.

Wedding ministers represent not only civil authorities, but their own particular religious traditions. You will want to be sure that your wedding minister fits your own views of marriage and family. You may not agree with your wedding minister of every detail of life, but it is important that his expressions concerning your wedding reflect your own values. What religious background have you shared, or do you prefer? Look for a wedding minister from that tradition. If you prefer Baptist, look for a Baptist minister. If you connect with Methodist, Presbyterian, or other tradition; look for an appropriate wedding minister.

To give order and familiarity, some ministers rigidly hold to pre written ceremonies. While this can leave the impression of a staid ceremony, the capable wedding minister can make the ceremony run smoothly and provide a meaningful service.

Other wedding ministers are much more open to working with the wedding couple. Having a minister who encourages your creativity can help make your ceremony far more personal and unique.

In any case, your wedding minister is vital to a successful wedding ceremony. He can make or break your wedding. Not only does he talk, he is in charge. The wedding minister is responsible for organizing, managing, and facilitating your ceremony.

Ideally, your wedding minister should express the values of marriage traditionally expressed by society and church while at the same time expressing the special feelings and desires of the wedding couple. The wedding minister should be well equipped with appropriate knowledge of wedding ceremonies, family values, and understanding of the personal issues involved. He should also be a valuable resource to the wedding couple. He should be there to help, guide, and encourage the couple.

If you want a beautiful formal wedding, you will want a wedding minister with the professionalism and dignity to make it happen for you. If you want a more relaxed or informal wedding, you will want a wedding minister who helps people relax, perhaps adds a touch of informality or humor, and generally helps people feel good about themselves without rigid formalism.

You can have the dream wedding you want, if you enlist the help of the right wedding minister. He can help you add just the right personal touches while maintaining integrity, legalities, and propriety on your behalf. Working with your wedding minister can make your wedding truly unique.

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