Your Friend, the Wedding Officiant
A guide for your wedding officiant, who also happens to be a buddy of yours!
I hear you’re enlisting one of your favorite, well-spoken humans to officiate your wedding - what a nice touch! I’m all for the personalization of your ceremony.
I’d love to offer a few key tips for this ah-mazing human to shine in front of your guests - from a photo perspective, of course!
You’re in the Photos, Lots of Photos
You will be in just about every single image from the ceremony. Woo hoo!
Dress to fit in to the ceremony style (is it fancy or casual is a good starting place!).
Stick with the color palette or neutrals. Don’t wear distracting patterns or logos.
Watch your gestures and facial expressions. A smile goes a long way as you’re in the supporting cast for these photos!
Tell ‘em!
Don’t shy away from telling guests what to do as you officiate. It may feel unnatural but guests are best with directions and it keeps the ceremony flowing smoothly.
Without direction, people will hesitate and get confused.
Tell guests when to stand, when to sit and what to do after the ceremony is over! Everyone will appreciate the guidance and feel cared for.
Connect your Couple
Encourage your couple to hold hands once they get to the front of the ceremony space.
It’s likely any bouquet has been handed off so now their hands are free to join together.
Without this direction, your couple will fiddle with their hands nervously and look disjointed in photos and in front of their guests.
Step Aside
As soon as you announce the moment for your couple to seal the marriage with a first kiss!, step aside. Announce their first kiss then take 1 big step to your left or right. This will keep you in your spot at the front but remove your head from behind that special kiss!
Important: some officiants hear this tip and try to sprint out of the photo for the first kiss. Please don’t do this. The will produce an image with their first kiss + you as a blur trying to run out of the frame.
1 step to the side - that’s it!
A Few More Thoughts!
In closing, a few more thoughts on officiating - from an experience-perspective!
If you're officiating your friend's wedding and it's not your usual gig, keep it simple and personal! Ask your couple questions as you prepare so you can share stories that reflect their relationship during the ceremony.
Rehearse your script a few times to ease those nerves and speak clearly, engaging the audience with eye contact and a smile. Bring energy to convey enthusiasm and joy, and if something doesn't go as planned, just roll with it.
Officiants, be yourself—your friend chose you for a reason. Check the legal requirements at the county clerk's office for officiating in your location to avoid surprises.
Enjoy the ceremony!