The Universal Life Church is excellent for those whose conscience or religious sensibilities encourage them to embrace something that is “greater than themselves”. If you have chosen to become ordained, one of the most fascinating experiences that you might choose to undertake as a minister is the chance to perform a wedding. An interesting consequence of this situation might be the possibility to officiate a wedding ceremony for a couple of a different faith than your own.

There are several reasons why a couple might choose to have you officiate their wedding. Perhaps they belong to a faith which doesn’t have any presiding religious figures nearby. The available options may actually be of different denominations, or different religions altogether. In this case, they may prefer to celebrate their wedding ceremony with you rather than a completely cold and impersonal ceremony via the local justice of the peace. This might especially be true if they are Atheists.

Whatever the reasons for the occasion may be, performing a wedding ceremony for members of a different faith may be an excellent way for you to widen your cultural and religious horizons. There are, however, a number of questions which you need to ask yourself before you commit fully to the idea of performing such a wedding.

For example, you should ask whether there are any specific traditions, rituals, or special words which the couple wishes to have included within the ceremony that you perform. It’s simply axiomatic that there will very likely be certain rituals that you are not acquainted with.

It’s also important to be very sure what the rules of etiquette are. Is there anything that you should definitely avoid doing or even mentioning while performing the wedding? This may include your manner of dress, your way of referring to the bride and groom, and many other potential issues.

In the end, if you do choose to perform a ceremony for people of a different faith, the end goal should be to please the happy couple, while expanding your own cultural and religious horizons.