Looking For Your Wedding Minister

By Dr. David Trumble

What do you look for in your wedding minister? How do you find the right wedding minister for your wedding?

Like any other professional, they are not all equal. There are clunkers, normal, and super star wedding ministers. Wedding ministers have personal characteristics that may be attractive or objectionable. Consider your wedding minister candidates. Look for qualities of professionalism, public speaking skills, sensitivity, listening, flexibility, and their priorities.

What does it matter? Anybody can perform a wedding, right? Maybe not.

Is your wedding minister legally authorized to perform weddings? Double check. Your wedding minister should be authorized by your state and ordained or authorized by an appropriate religious or social agency.

What kind of wedding minister do you want? In most cases, the wedding minister represents a particular set of traditions, values, and teachings. If you are a Roman Catholic, you will probably prefer a Catholic Priest to officiate your wedding. If you are a Christian, a Christian minister may be desired. If you grew up as a Baptist, look for a Baptist minister. Avoid wedding minister who represent traditions and values that are in significant conflict with your own. The messages communicated by your wedding minister will reflect his background and allegiances.

To give order and familiarity, some ministers rigidly hold to pre written ceremonies. While this can leave the impression of a staid ceremony, the capable wedding minister can make the ceremony run smoothly and provide a meaningful service.

Or, you may want a minister who is highly flexible and willing to work with you. You may want a minister who encourages your creativity so your wedding ceremony can be truly personal.

Whomever you choose, your officiating minister is the pivotal person to make or break your wedding ceremony. If your wedding minister is well organized, systematic, and works with the wedding party to make sure everything flows smoothly, your wedding will be a success. If you wedding minster fails to provide a meaningful and smooth flowing ceremony, your wedding may be scared by ineptitude.

Ideally, your wedding minister should express the values of marriage traditionally expressed by society and church while at the same time expressing the special feelings and desires of the wedding couple. The wedding minister should be well equipped with appropriate knowledge of wedding ceremonies, family values, and understanding of the personal issues involved. He should also be a valuable resource to the wedding couple. He should be there to help, guide, and encourage the couple.

The wedding minister may facilitate either a formal ceremony full of elegance and style or an informal ceremony in which the wedding party relaxes and shares the exchange of vows in a more natural manner. In either case, the wedding minister is the key to the design and implementation of the ceremony. It is also very important for the couple and minister to be harmonious in their approach.

You can have the dream wedding you want, if you enlist the help of the right wedding minister. He can help you add just the right personal touches while maintaining integrity, legalities, and propriety on your behalf. Working with your wedding minister can make your wedding truly unique. - 30299

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