Learning Wedding Etiquette for Officiants

If you've been asked to preside over a couple's wedding ceremony, it is very important to adhere to certain etiquette rules concerning the duties you are asked to perform. Displaying certain courtesies to the bride and groom will help to make their wedding day one of the most memorable experiences of their lives.

Communicating with the Couple

The wedding officiant must communicate effectively with the bride and groom. For instance, if the couple email the officiant about logistical matters, such as potential date(s) for the wedding, she should return the email within 24 to 48 hours. The officiant should also return phone calls from the bride and groom as soon as possible, so that the couple can better plan for their ceremony.

Deposits and Payments

The wedding officiant should communicate clearly with the couple concerning the rate that will be charged for his services. If the couple makes a deposit or two before the ceremony, it is proper etiquette for the officiant to acknowledge receipt of the deposits, especially if the money was collected by a church secretary or office assistant. If the wedding officiant prefers to have all the money paid up front before the ceremony, or wouldn't mind receiving full payment after the wedding, he should let the couple know this as soon as possible. The couple is not required to tip the person who performs the ceremony, but the gesture is appreciated, and 10 to 20 percent is standard.

Arrival Times

It is very important for the officiant to arrive at the rehearsal and ceremony on time. If possible, the officiant should be 15 to 30 minutes early for both events, in order to address any concerns that the bride and groom may have, and to be notified of last-minute changes if necessary.

Emergencies and Replacements

If the wedding officiant is not able to preside over the wedding because of unforeseen circumstances, it is up to him or her to find a replacement that the bride and groom will be satisfied with as soon as possible. Once the original officiant has agreed to perform the wedding, it is not the couple's responsibility to find a replacement.

Marriage License

The wedding officiant is legally required to go over the marriage license before the actual ceremony, and should ask the bride and groom for the license if they have not already presented it. If the officiant has agreed to file the marriage license after the ceremony, this should be done no more than 10 days after the wedding.

---

• 

  Wedding Officiants

  www.gatheringguide.com/ec/wedding_officiants.html
  Find Wedding Officiants, Event Officiants, and Wedding Ministers based on your unique requirements using the form below.
• 

  Gay Weddings Gay Wedding Planning Gay Wedding Ideas

  gay.weddings.com
  Gay Weddings Planning your Gay wedding? Gay.Weddings.com has everything you need from Gay wedding ideas and information on Gay wedding planning.
• 

  Etiquette for Weddings - How To Information Page 1 eHow

  www.ehow.com Weddings Wedding Planning
  Don't just sit there scratching your head, find useful info on Etiquette for Weddings on eHow. Get essential tips and learn more about everything from How to Find a ...
• 

  Wedding Invitations - Custom Templates, Unique Ideas & Etiquette Tips

  www.weddingpaperdivas.comWedding Invitations Bridal Shower Save The Date Cards
  Get 8 Free Wedding Invitations samples. Free design consultation, photo upload and unique personalization tools to ensure the perfect wedding invitations.
• 

  The Wedding Insiders: Wedding Monogram Etiquette

  weddinginsiders.blogspot.com/2012/05/wedding-monogram-etiquette.html
  5/21/2012 Wedding monograms are hot right now and you will see them everywhere! They provide a great way to personalize your wedding and can be used long after your ...
• 

  Stepmother Wedding Etiquette - Proper Wedding Etiquette For ...

  ezinearticles.com/?Stepmother-Wedding-Etiquette---Proper-Wedding...
  6/19/2008 Dealing with stepmothers can be a difficult situation. A lot depends on how the stepmother and biological mother get along. If the two mothers get along ...
• 

  Etiquette Wedding Planning, Advice & Etiquette

  www.mywedding.com/blog/planning/?s=etiquette
  Your complete wedding planning guide. Find wedding photographers, wedding reception facilities, wedding ceremony sites, wedding cakes, wedding dresses, and more!
• 

  Wedding Rehearsal Etiquette eHow - eHow How to Videos ...

  www.ehow.com Other Wedding Events Rehearsal Dinner
  A prelude to the big event, the wedding rehearsal is a walk-through that assures the bride and groom, the officiant and the families are well prepared for the big day ...
• 

  Wedding Rehearsals Etiquette - Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Speech

  wedding.theknot.com Budget Weddings Invitations + Stationery
  Wedding Rehearsals: Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Etiquette Q&A. Avoid any rehearsal dinner faux pas with these top etiquette tips. Photo: Tamara Lackey Photography
• 

  Wedding Etiquette - Weddings

  weddings.gatheringguide.com/tm/wedding-etiquette
  What's proper wedding etiquette for combining friends, co-workers, and family? Read on to ensure everything goes smoothly.
• 

  Labels on wedding invitations etiquette Weddings, Etiquette and ...

  www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/labels-on-wedding...etiquette/...
  I ordered my invitations before having addresses...I have to print them on labels. Do I use white labels or clear labels? The envelopes are white... Also, is it that ...
• 

  Etiquette Tagged With 'Wedding Processional' Celebration Advisor ...

  www.weddingandpartynetwork.com/blog/category/etiquette/?tdo_tag=...
  Looking for answers concerning etiquette? Curious about wedding etiquette issues like who "walks the bride down the isle" or "who hosts the reception"? Wondering ...
• 

  Washington Wedding Officiants, Wedding Ministers, WA

  www.gatheringguide.com/.../wa_washington/evl_wedding_officiants.html
  Planning a wedding or vow renewal ceremony in Washington? There are many Washington wedding Officiants to choose from. We currently have 9 wedding Officiants listed ...
• 

  Top 24 Wedding Etiquette Questions RealSimple.com - Real Simple

  www.realsimple.com/weddings/etiquette/wedding-etiquette...
  Top 24 Wedding Etiquette Questions Who Should Host the Rehearsal Dinner? Traditionally, the grooms family hosts (and pays for) the rehearsal dinner and arranges a ...

• Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette by Peggy Post 9780060745042 ...

  www.barnesandnoble.com/w/emily-posts-wedding-etiquette-peggy-post/...
  The classic indispensable, comprehensive guide to creating the wedding of your dreams. Today's weddings are more complicated than ever, with new traditions replacing ...

• Wedding Ceremony Etiquette Questions Answered; Ceremony Problems ...

  www.bridalguide.com/etiquette/bridal-etiquette-qas/wedding...
  What is a Unity Candle? Q: I have heard of something called a Unity Candle. What is it and how can I incorporate it into my wedding ceremony? Newark, Delaware

• Wedding Invitations, Discount Wedding Invitations & Unique Wedding ...

  www.topweddingsites.com/wedding_invitations_announcements.html
  Ideas for creating unique wedding invitations. Invitation wording, assembling and etiquette. List of the top sites to buy unique,discount wedding invitations, wedding ...

• Wedding Planning, Planning A Wedding Perfect Wedding Guide

  www.perfectweddingguide.com
  Wedding planning guide online providing the best wedding professionals, wedding tips and wedding planning advice to assist you with the most important day of your life.

• Wedding Officiants - Wedding Counseling

  wedding.theknot.com Local Wedding Resources
  Wedding Officiants - Finding the perfect officiant to marry you is very important. Browse through our listing of wedding officiants in your area including pastors ...

• Wedding Planning, Advice & Etiquette - Resource Guide

  www.mywedding.com/blog/planning
  Your complete wedding planning guide. Find wedding photographers, wedding reception facilities, wedding ceremony sites, wedding cakes, wedding dresses, and more!