For you and your partner to be considered “married” in the eyes of the law, you need to go through a few steps. Most importantly, in many states, you need to have the union officiated by a person representing a religious or government body. For many couples, the wedding ceremony itself helps to fill this criteria. Of course, you might not be the type of couple who attend religious services regularly. This can make it difficult to know who to ask to officiate the event. There are many options, so it can be helpful to receive some advice. Consider a few of these tips on how to pick the right officiant for your wedding. With these suggestions as your guide, you may find it far easier to pick a winner.

Spiritual Needs 

While you might not go to services regularly, you and your partner could still consider yourself somewhat spiritual. This means you may want to have someone from your chosen faith come in and make your union official. If this is the case, be sure to explore local venues where you can have your ceremony held. An important thing to keep in mind during the process is that some religious organizations require you to be an active member for a set amount of time before you are allowed to use the space for your wedding.

Timing is very important if you plan on getting married in specific venues. Churches that fall under the Roman Catholic umbrella tend to require a person be connected with the church in some form for about six months to a year before a wedding can take place. If you don’t want to get married in the church but would like an officiant from one, the rules are slightly different. Officiants of all faiths are happy to marry couples in alternative venues. Find an individual you connect with and figure out the details.

Clarity Is Key

Choosing who will preside over your ceremony can be challenging when you don’t go about processes in the right manner. Clarity, for example, is incredibly important when it comes to making requests of your potential officiant. This individual might be happy to marry you at the venue of your choice. He or she may also adhere to specific mindsets in regard to readings and other matters. If you plan on making any changes to the traditional wedding script, make this clear right away.

The most important change you are likely interested in making to the ceremony is the inclusion of personal vows. Though television and movies suggest that all couples write their own vows, the truth of the matter is most religious institutions discourage the practice or outright forbid it. When you and your partner wish to include your own words, you need to make sure your officiant is open to the idea and willing to go along with whatever you have planned. Clearing the air in advance can ensure you are all on the same page.

Know the Regulations

Finally, you need to be sure of the specific rules and regulations of your state. Some states are more particular about which officiants they allow to sign licenses. Before you bring anyone to the table to officiate your wedding, make sure this person is legally able to sign your license. Once you’ve confirmed this, you can go ahead with your plans.

Selecting an officiant for your wedding can be a lot of work. When you want to find the perfect person to help you and your partner tie the knot, be sure to give yourself plenty of time. Research the regulations of your state and get the information you need to pick a wedding officiant.