Photography By: Afrik Armando
If you’re planning a wedding amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it can be challenging to orchestrate meetings to ensure you’re getting exactly what you want for your special day. Fortunately, choosing a wedding officiant for your ceremony doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these tips to find the perfect wedding officiant safely and effectively during the pandemic.
Use a friend. In most states, it’s easy enough to become a licensed officiant. If you know someone who is legally allowed to officiate, have them perform your nuptials! When asking friends or family to officiate your wedding, make sure they have taken the proper steps to provide you with legitimate officiation. Always remember to double-check which state they’re licensed in before you move forward.
Hire an officiant to work remotely. From virtual learning to working remotely, video calls offer a safe and easy way for people to be together. Now, this includes weddings, too! If you’re worried about your friends and family venturing out of their homes during the pandemic, you can host a wedding via video call. When interviewing officiants, make sure they’re familiar with how the video call software of your choosing works. Having a digitally savvy officiant ensures they’ll be ready to troubleshoot should anything go wrong on the day of your wedding.
Enforce social distancing by hosting an outdoor wedding. For couples planning a wedding in 2020, outdoor weddings have become the latest trend. By hosting your wedding outdoors, you’re helping to limit the possibility of spreading the coronavirus. If you host your ceremony in your backyard, you’ll need to find an officiant willing to travel and be a guest in your home. If you book a venue that offers outdoor space with plenty of room for your guests, they may have a list of suggested officiants for you to choose from, says an outdoor wedding venue in Bucks County.
Meet with multiple people. Choosing a wedding officiant may seem like a simple process, but you don’t want to put it at the bottom of your wedding planning to-do list since officiants play a significant role in your big day. You should put as much care and attention into choosing your wedding officiant as you would your entertainment. Even if you’re planning to use a friend or family member, speak with a few potential candidates to get a feel for how they would officiate the ceremony. This will ensure you’re choosing someone who will lead your ceremony in the way you desire.
Opt for an officiant that matches your vibe. Whether you’re having a religious ceremony rooted in tradition or you’re looking for a more laid back wedding, the officiant you hire can help dictate how your vows will feel. Do you want the ceremony to be light-hearted and full of jokes? Having a friend or family member licensed to officiate might be the best option. If you’re looking for a religious ceremony, you’ll want an officiant familiar with your faith.
Most importantly — find an officiant who is comfortable with speaking in front of strangers! This step is paramount, especially if you’re enlisting the help of a friend or family member. You don’t want your officiant choking up on the big day, so make sure they’re confident in their abilities.
Choose the wedding officiant that’s right for you during the coronavirus pandemic with these tips.
