A marriage officiant is a licensed professional who performs weddings or civil unions. A marriage officiant can play a variety of roles in weddings and marriages, in addition to performing a legally recognized marriage or union ceremony. An officiant may be employed by a religious organization, perform marriages as part of a civil office, or work as a third-party.
The officiant must obtain a license from a state-recognized organization in order to practice legally. The requirements for obtaining a license vary by region; in many cases, a clergyman, judge, or ship’s captain is given the authority to perform marriages as part of their job. Some areas allow a non-ordained friend or relative to perform a ceremony at the request of the couple by obtaining a temporary day permit from local officials to perform one specific wedding. On the basis of a simple application and fee, some online organizations and churches also offer ordination, and thus an official license.
A marriage officiant’s main responsibility is to oversee a couple’s wedding or union ceremony. There is a lot of room for variety and innovation in this job description. Some couples want a religious officiant who can perform rituals and traditional ceremonies associated with their faith. Others prefer a non-denominational minister who makes no religious references during the ceremony. Couples of different faiths may hire multiple officiants to incorporate the customs of various religions or cultures.
A marriage officiant may offer to assist the couple in a variety of ways in addition to performing the ceremony and signing the marriage license. Some offer pre-marital counseling sessions to help a couple plan for their future together and prepare for their marriage. Others focus on the wedding’s requirements, such as finding ceremony locations, hiring other vendors such as florists or renting facilities, and deciding on the ceremony’s text, format, and order.
A wedding officiant is frequently in charge of the wedding rehearsal the day before the wedding. This allows the officiant to walk the bride, groom, and wedding party through the ceremony’s plan, ensuring that everything goes smoothly on the big day. A rehearsal may not be necessary for small or private weddings, but larger weddings often benefit from one.