The Importance of a Professional Wedding Officiant by Terry Perez
Brides and grooms often overlook the importance of the person actually conducting their wedding ceremony. They place great care in a place, date, and time, but do not consider that the ceremony will not go forward without an officiant.
The person you choose to conduct your ceremony is the person you are counting on to share your vision, personalize your vows, and finalize your special day. This industry often goes unchecked because a lot of officiants are ministers and Justices of the Peace, which people simply assume are always professionals. The truth is, while the vast majority are, some can have questionable reputations in the industry just like any other business. The stories of showing up late or not at all, answering cell phones during the ceremony, refusing to customize your ceremony and vows, getting your names wrong, or countless other mistakes are endless and an absolute nightmare for any bride and groom.
Before you book your officiant, know what to ask and what to expect for your money. Officiant fees can vary between $150.00 to $450.00 so make certain you know what you are getting. A higher price does not always mean a better officiant so be prepared when you interview them. Once you have established a date, time and place for your wedding, it's time to look for a wedding officiant. Start looking early as the best officiants, like the best vendors, tend to get booked quickly. See how much "control" your officiant allows you over your ceremony. Does your officiant insist on a religious ceremony? Are you getting a "fixed text" wedding -- that is, a "word for word" style ceremony that is read for every couple? How much choice are you given in putting together your ceremony? Will your officiant help with advice in writing your own vows? In giving you suggestions for readings and ceremony ideas?
An officiant should have no problem giving you references. If they do, don't walk...run away! An officiant should always return your calls, answer your e-mails, and be available to you for all your needs. They should also be at your ceremony early to go over things and make sure there are no problems. Ask what will happen if your officiant has an emergency on your special day. Do they have a replacement? Who is this person and will they be able to step in at the last minute if need be?
Your payment is probably non-refundable so make certain you get your questions answered and feel comfortable that your officiant shares your dream of the perfect ceremony.
Finally, did you know you can get married at the airport, in a park, your favorite restaurant, in a skating rink, the top floor of a building that overlooks the city, or anywhere else you desire? Well you can. So consider what your day means to you and follow your dream!
Brides and grooms often overlook the importance of the person actually conducting their wedding ceremony. They place great care in a place, date, and time, but do not consider that the ceremony will not go forward without an officiant.
The person you choose to conduct your ceremony is the person you are counting on to share your vision, personalize your vows, and finalize your special day. This industry often goes unchecked because a lot of officiants are ministers and Justices of the Peace, which people simply assume are always professionals. The truth is, while the vast majority are, some can have questionable reputations in the industry just like any other business. The stories of showing up late or not at all, answering cell phones during the ceremony, refusing to customize your ceremony and vows, getting your names wrong, or countless other mistakes are endless and an absolute nightmare for any bride and groom.
Before you book your officiant, know what to ask and what to expect for your money. Officiant fees can vary between $150.00 to $450.00 so make certain you know what you are getting. A higher price does not always mean a better officiant so be prepared when you interview them. Once you have established a date, time and place for your wedding, it's time to look for a wedding officiant. Start looking early as the best officiants, like the best vendors, tend to get booked quickly. See how much "control" your officiant allows you over your ceremony. Does your officiant insist on a religious ceremony? Are you getting a "fixed text" wedding -- that is, a "word for word" style ceremony that is read for every couple? How much choice are you given in putting together your ceremony? Will your officiant help with advice in writing your own vows? In giving you suggestions for readings and ceremony ideas?
An officiant should have no problem giving you references. If they do, don't walk...run away! An officiant should always return your calls, answer your e-mails, and be available to you for all your needs. They should also be at your ceremony early to go over things and make sure there are no problems. Ask what will happen if your officiant has an emergency on your special day. Do they have a replacement? Who is this person and will they be able to step in at the last minute if need be?
Your payment is probably non-refundable so make certain you get your questions answered and feel comfortable that your officiant shares your dream of the perfect ceremony.
Finally, did you know you can get married at the airport, in a park, your favorite restaurant, in a skating rink, the top floor of a building that overlooks the city, or anywhere else you desire? Well you can. So consider what your day means to you and follow your dream!
REVIEWS
Morgan just left you a review:
I could not have asked for a better officiant for our wedding! David and Toni were so charming and professional throughout the ceremony and into the reception. It is not an easy thing to choose the person to perform a wedding ceremony using the internet, but I assure you that David is a fantastic choice. He has a wonderful attitude and made me feel very comfortable. We didn't even need a rehearsal and it was flawless.
I was so grateful to both David and Toni, who took a day from their vacation to drive 95 miles to start us on our lives together.
I would recommend them for your event. You will not be disappointed at all.
I am so very pleased!
Thank you both so much for your gracious and professional demeanor on such a potentially stressful day!
We are blessed!
Morgan
Review: ****
David was very professional, on time, and helped in every way he could. He was very patient with us as we kept changing our vows. I would highly recommend him to be your officiate for your special day.
Vicki M. on September 1, 2015
Donna Motley
- 4/5 stars Catholic Wedding Officiant Verified Review
Daytona beach wedding
We were married outside by the beach in Daytona, everything went well except for the microphone cutting out every so often.
Carlos S. on November 16, 2016 - 5/5 stars Protestant Wedding Officiant Verified Review
Two thumbs up!
David and his wife were awesome. They went above and beyond to make sure that our special day was special. I would recommend him to anyone.
Aicha B. on September 13, 2016 - 5/5 stars Wedding Officiant Verified Review
Florida
He will do everything you ask for and then some, he was amazing and the price is awesome.
Desiree s. on September 9, 2016 - 5/5 stars Wedding Officiant Verified Review
Elizabeth D. on July 22, 2016 - 5/5 stars Non-Denominational Wedding Officiant Verified Review
Rev. Smothers and His wife Toni were a joy and an inspiration!! They were so accommodating! The words of the service reflected exactly the Love my new Bride and I have for each other and God.
Steve B. on July 15, 2016 - 5/5 stars Wedding Officiant Verified Review
Mr. Smothers was very helpful in getting our vows set up and very accommodating. He and his wife were very pleasant and a joy to meet and work with. They filed the marriage license very fast and took a lot of stress off of us, so we could enjoy ourselves.
Phil N. on June 15, 2016 - 5/5 stars Wedding Officiant Verified Review
I could not have asked for a better officiant for our wedding! David and Toni were so charming and professional throughout the ceremony and into the reception. It is not an easy thing to choose the person to perform a wedding ceremony using the internet, but I assure you that David is a fantastic choice. He has a wonderful attitude and made me feel very comfortable. We didn't even need a rehearsal and it was flawless.
I was so grateful to both David and Toni, who took a day from their vacation to drive 95 miles to start us on our lives together.
I would recommend them for your event. You will not be disappointed at all.
I am so very pleased!
Thank you both so much for your gracious and professional demeanor on such a potentially stressful day!
We are blessed!
Morgan
Morgan G. on May 27, 2016 - 5/5 stars Wedding Officiant Verified Review
We hired Tony and David to officiate over our daughters wedding in Palm coast. I can not express enough how happy we were with their services. They clicked with my daughter and son in law and made them feel so comfortable. They made the service so personal to them and even sent her a video of pictures. If you are planning a destination wedding give them a call! You will not regret it.
Julie e. on May 20, 2016 - 5/5 stars Wedding Officiant Verified Review
David and Toni were exceptional. Wonderful people
Ellen E. on May 14, 2016 - 5/5 stars Protestant Wedding Officiant Verified Review
Toni and David were so kind and helpful. We were so happy to have them be a part of this very special day. We appreciated how they handled the entire process. I highly recommend their services.
Sherrie h. on April 24, 2016 - 5/5 stars Wedding Officiant Verified Review
We are very pleased with them. Floyd and his wife were very kind and he did what we wanted short and sweet ..thank u so much!
savannah m. on March 29, 2016 - 5/5 stars Wedding Officiant Verified Review
Wonderful and easy experience from start to finish. Floyd was a wonderful and attentive to what I was looking for with my parents surprise vow renewal. He was flexible when I wanted to change the vows, and he was even flexible when we changed the time of the event last minute too. I can't thank him enough for helping us achieve such a wonderful, loving, and Christ-centered ceremony without a hitch! My family will have those memories forever! God bless you and your wife's ministry always!
Melissa M. on February 16, 2016 - 5/5 stars Wedding Officiant Verified Review
David and his wife Toni came to our home on very short notice and performed a lovely ceremony and a beautiful prayer with us and our immediate family. I would absolutely recommend David to other couples.
Dayna B. on January 26, 2016 - 5/5 stars Catholic Wedding Officiant Verified Review
Excellent Job
Orlino F. on November 28, 2015 - 5/5 stars Wedding Officiant Verified Review
We contacted David a few months before our date and he was very easy to communicate with in every way. He provided us with options for vows. He was on time for our sunrise ceremony and we couldn't have been happier using him. Our special day was a true blessing and David's service was just perfect for us.
Janet K. on October 25, 2015 - 5/5 stars Wedding Officiant Verified Review
It was a lovely and heartfelt ceremony. My groom and I were VERY pleased! He and his sweet wife stayed and chatted with us plus he took many nice pictures for us.
Melissa E. on September 30, 2015 - 5/5 stars
David was very professional, on time, and helped in every way he could. He was very patient with us as we kept changing our vows. I would highly recommend him to be your officiate for your special day.
Vicki M. on September 1, 2015 - 4/5 stars
DAVID DID A GOOD JOB MARRYING MY HUSBAND AND I. HE WAS VERY HELPFUL.
JO M. on August 28, 2015 - 5/5 stars Wedding Officiant Verified Review
My experience was amazing. I would recommend him for anyone Who is getting married. He definitely went above and beyond with helping me and dealing with my constant changes. I doubt you'll find a better price than his as well.
Caitlyn K. on August 24, 2015 - 5/5 stars
David did an excellent job for my marriage. Very easy to get along with and very helpful.
Clarence T. on August 24, 2015 - 5/5 stars Wedding Officiant Verified Review
PERFECT!!
Candice T. on August 14, 2015 - 5/5 stars Wedding Officiant Verified Review
I highly recommend David Smothers to preform your wedding. Great communication throughout the process. He arrived early and was extremely patient while our friends and family arrived and gathered for our special day. David is professional and a pleasure to be around.
Donna H. on July 7, 2015
Morgan just left you a review:
I could not have asked for a better officiant for our wedding! David and Toni were so charming and professional throughout the ceremony and into the reception. It is not an easy thing to choose the person to perform a wedding ceremony using the internet, but I assure you that David is a fantastic choice. He has a wonderful attitude and made me feel very comfortable. We didn't even need a rehearsal and it was flawless.
I was so grateful to both David and Toni, who took a day from their vacation to drive 95 miles to start us on our lives together.
I would recommend them for your event. You will not be disappointed at all.
I am so very pleased!
Thank you both so much for your gracious and professional demeanor on such a potentially stressful day!
We are blessed!
Morgan
Review: ****
David was very professional, on time, and helped in every way he could. He was very patient with us as we kept changing our vows. I would highly recommend him to be your officiate for your special day.
Vicki M. on September 1, 2015
- 5/5 stars Wedding Officiant Verified Review
My experience was amazing. I would recommend him for anyone Who is getting married. He definitely went above and beyond with helping me and dealing with my constant changes. I doubt you'll find a better price than his as well.
Caitlyn K. on August 24, 2015 - 5/5 stars
David did an excellent job for my marriage. Very easy to get along with and very helpful.
Clarence T. on August 24, 2015 - 5/5 stars Wedding Officiant Verified Review
PERFECT!!
Candice T. on August 14, 2015
Donna Motley