So You Need a Wedding [Celebrant] Officiant!
Donna Williams Smith Ministries, also DBA Divine Call Ministries (of Southern California) offers tastefully traditional and custom wedding ceremony packages.
“Times have changed. There was a time when every family would look first to their place of worship for a minister to perform the sacrament of holy matrimony. These days ‘one in three American weddings are officiated by a friend, family member or independent officiant. The third-party officiating trend is on the rise.’ Divine Call Ministries offers tastefully traditional Christian Wedding Ceremonies. Minister Donna Williams Smith will serve each couple as an available resource to guide in the preliminary stages of planning the sacred exchange of matrimonial vows.
Additionally, a third-party officiant works autonomously, albeit parallel with the dedicated wedding planner or coordinator chosen by the couple – and focuses primarily on making certain the marriage trust is legally implemented and officiating the exchange of vows. The officiant is partnered with to write and deliver a ‘wedding ceremony that honors God, fulfills marriage laws, engages, and delights family and friends, and respects the personalities and desires of the marrying couple.’
Preliminary to Commitment
Wedding Officiant Preliminary Questionnaire
Prior to contracting services, the couple will complete a brief preliminary questionnaire to communicate expectations and determine whether the officiant can be available on the date anticipated to perform the type of ceremony desired.
Wedding Officiant Committal Questionnaire
Subsequently, if compatibility is determined, the committal questionnaire will be much more detailed and specific. At this point the couple has made the decision to go forward with scheduling. Bride and groom to be would then complete the questionnaire and return it; then schedule a meeting (in person or virtual) with the officiant to establish a comfortable rapport.
The Wedding Officiant Contract
Wedding Officiant Contract
Finally, once all specifics have been identified, the contract will be drawn up to provide a contextual version relative to ‘services desired, retainer fee, expenses, timeline, rehearsals, suggested honorariums itemized, cancellation policy, and customized incidentals. Customized incidentals might include candles, communion supplies and miscellaneous others. The contract also will specify liability in the case of a cancellation or postponement.” 1
1 Content inspired, and quotations are from Lisa Francesca. The Wedding Officiant’s Guide: How to Write and Conduct a Perfect Ceremony. (San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books LLC, 2014), 17.