Choosing a Wedding Officiant in Pennsylvania
Local Officiants
When it comes to getting married in Pennsylvania, laws, fees and procedures can vary from county to county. Don’t get caught unawares: the U.S. Marriage Laws website can help you navigate the marriage laws in all 67 counties of Pennsylvania. From where to register, licensing fees, and who is eligible for marriage, you can find all your answers at U.S. Marriage Laws. For example, have you considered the question of your wedding officiant? We can guide you towards choosing the right person with just a few questions.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Hiring a Pennsylvania Wedding Officiant
The following questions will help guide you as you choose who will officiate your wedding. The officiant is an important part of your wedding ceremony and your decision deserves some thought. Ideally, your Pennsylvania marriage officiant should help you craft a ceremony that reflects your ideals and beliefs, and celebrates your love.
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Did you include a wedding officiant in your budget? – Fees for officiants vary depending on whom you choose. Remember that your officiant is another vendor, so be sure to ask what their fee is and if they require a deposit.
What is the officiant’s cancellation policy? – This is a good question to ask all your wedding vendors. Does the officiant have a backup in case of emergency, or do you need to make alternate arrangements yourself? Is their cancellation policy spelled out in the contract? Be sure to ask these questions so you aren’t caught unawares.
Does the date and location of your wedding restrict your officiant options? – While Saturday used to be the standard wedding day, it is becoming more common to get married on an “off” day to accommodate schedules and benefit from lower costs. However, if you choose a day that a clergy officiant holds services on, they may not be available. Likewise, if you opt for a destination wedding, your officiant may not be able to travel, or you may have to pay their travel costs.
Will the officiant perform ceremonies outside their church? – If you choose a member of the clergy, do they require you to be married at their home church, or are they willing to participate in non-traditional venues? (Such as parks, backyards, banquet halls, etc.)
Does the officiant offer flexible ceremonies? – Is the officiant open to adding candle lightings, sand ceremonies, or special songs, or do they require you to stick to a specific script? Also, do they require certain elements that you would prefer to leave out? Above all, the wedding ceremony is about celebrating you and your spouse, so do not choose an officiant who is unwilling to tailor the ceremony to your wishes and needs.
Take the Guesswork out of Finding a Pennsylvania Marriage Officiant with U.S. Marriage Laws
If you’re feeling lost in your search for a wedding officiant in Pennsylvania, U.S. Marriage Laws is here to help. By filling out a simple, brief online form, we will put you in contact with up to 5 Pennsylvania marriage officiants. This free service brings qualified officiants to you, and you choose the one that best fits your needs. Wedding planning is stressful enough: let us do the legwork of finding an officiant for you.