From the desk of Rabbi Solomon Rothstein
What every Bride and Groom should be aware of when selecting a wedding officiant:
Every bride and groom is different, their personalities and backgrounds need to be taken into account. This requires time and effort on everyone’s part.
3. Unless the ceremony is personalized and truly a testimony to your love, it will fall short of meeting your expectations
Questions to ask an officiant before engaging him:
a. Are you ordained from a recognized Theological Seminary or are you self appointed?
b. Do you have a speaking and singing voice that will excite and keep the attention of the entire audience?
c. Exactly how often do you plan to meet with us and if we live in another state are you willing to participate in a series of telephone conference calls?
d. Do you have the credentials that will qualify you to offer us an acceptable amount of Marital Counseling as is required by Florida law?
e. Can you assure us that our ceremony will truly reflect who we are and how we feel about one another?
f. We are of different faiths. How do you purpose to incorporate certain rituals that will respect and capture the essence of what our families are all about?
g. When our ceremony is over can you assure us that everyone present joyfully say “WOW!”
Regarding the matter of the Officiant’s fee, remember his cost is the least expensive part of the wedding. Strive for getting the BEST not the least expensive. Don’t you deserve the BEST?