Anyone here a Minister or Officiate Weddings? I'll be doing one soon.

[DonDavis]

My friends Brett and Stacey got engaged at the Kauai Marathon when we were there last month.
I've known these guys for quite some time we've traveled together a lot. When we returned home, they said "We looked online for someone to marry us, but decided we didn't want some schmuck we didn't know doing it. We want you to marry us!"
I said "So, you want THIS schmuck to do it? Sure, I'm in."

I'm not ordained but it's a fairly simple process. However, the package they bought allows anyone to perform the ceremony. I just have to meet with the Casinos minister to discuss verbiage and he witnesses the event. They're marrying on Oct 31 in Vegas.

Brett and Stacey told me they trust me and I can say pretty much anything I want. It'll have about 50 attendees, 3:30 Friday afternoon. Hawaiian shirts, slacks and flip-flops. Very casual. ( they've both been married before )

I'm looking for tips or advice on structure of my role as officiant.

I reckon I'll start with a welcome statement and introduce myself. Then a few comments to the couple, then proceed with the exchanging of vows.

While I don't want to drag it out too long, I think it should take a little time for the family to enjoy the event, take some pictures, etc. And I'm sure we'll have some laughs because it'll be my first time officiating a union. I'll probably doink it at some degree.

Seems I recall StomachMonkey had something to do with weddings...or something.

[VincentVega]

Quite an honor. I would try and remember the couple is the focus, not the admin. Something like, "I'm honored to be part of this happy occasion. " Then do whatever they want.

Good luck

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Remember that haikus are 5-7-5.



Good luck! One of my fraternity brothers went on to be a minister. Watching him officiate for another brother's wedding was a very moving event.

[Tervuren]

and I can say pretty much anything I want.

Hmm...

[Por_sha911]

I love a finished preacher.
I love one yes I do.
One that's smoothed and polished?
No, just one that's through.

Meet with them and go over some ideas. Let them tell you what they want. No more no less.

[id10t]

Mawwage!

[craigster59]

Let me know if you need to borrow an Elvis costume.

[fintstone]

I guess you (and we, to advise you) need to know is if the wedding is to be traditional or non-traditional, religious or secular...and do they want to personalize their vows?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

My friend in a Key West is an ordained minister in the Beer Church (yes it's a real thing - you can probably google it). I'd have to ask but I'm 99% sure he has the power to perform ceremonies and have them recognized under FL law. I think it's up to you and them what format the thing needs to take.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by DonDavis

.I'm not ordained but it's a fairly simple process. However, the package they bought allows anyone to perform the ceremony. I just have to meet with the Casinos minister to discuss verbiage and he witnesses the event. They're marrying on Oct 31 in Vegas.

.....

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

My friend in a Key West is an ordained minister in the Beer Church (yes it's a real thing - you can probably google it). I'd have to ask but I'm 99% sure he has the power to perform ceremonies and have them recognized under FL law.

Attended a wedding 'bout 10 years ago in Fayetteville, AR that was totally legal and recognized by law. The "guy" doing the ceremony had gotten ordained (or whatever the term was) just for the event at the request of the couple and no "real" preacher was involved. Picture a bunch of older hippie types converging on AR for their favorite jam band from all around the country (over 20 different states). It was a pretty close knit "community", and one of the coolest things I've ever been invited too . Good luck!!!

[fintstone]

If they want the marriage to be legal:

Marriage Officiants

Looks like you can get ordained for $29.99
Nevada - Wedding Officiant Package

[GH85Carrera]

My uncle was a Methodist minister. He married many hundreds of couples.

It always sounded so strange to me when he would point to some lady and say "Oh I married her" and even stranger when he would mention "Oh I marred him" when discussing a friend or member of the church.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by DonDavis

I'm looking for tips or advice on structure of my role as officiant.

I reckon I'll start with a welcome statement and introduce myself. Then a few comments to the couple, then proceed with the exchanging of vows.

While I don't want to drag it out too long, I think it should take a little time for the family to enjoy the event, take some pictures, etc. And I'm sure we'll have some laughs because it'll be my first time officiating a union.

I have been to a bunch of weddings in the past two, three years; 2nd timers, 3rd timers, the works: hippies, warlords, neocons, a gaggle of gay unions and most recently the union of my good friends son (an Ensign still in flight school) to his lovely bride.

Here is your job, Don: You get to be funny once, but quickly, with dignity in the opening round of "we are gathered here today". After that, you are going to have to play it as it lays, whether addition humor is warranted.

It usually isn't. You are standing between the assembled masses and, hopefully, an open bar. Never forget that.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Let me know if you need to borrow an Elvis costume.

Beat me to it!

Honestly wife and I thought of running off to Vegas to get a Elvis wedding...
However after giving it some thought I decided it was kind of a important life event and better to have a serious (albeit a very small) wedding at the Baptist church my family have been members of for over fifty years.

[fintstone]

We put on a big formal wedding at a country club Las Vegas. About 150 people. Had fireworks, stringed quartet and a harp player. It went very nicely...lots of real pros. At the reception, we had a DJ and dancing...but unknown to everyone, including the bride and groom...we had an Elvis impersonator come out and sing the first set. They were dancing the first dance and you should have seen their faces when they turned around and saw it was not a recording, but Elvis himself. He put on a great show and got everyone up dancing.

[Scooter]

I've married a couple of my friends. I was ordained through the Church of the Dude. It's legal and free. I like the laid back vibe of the church, man.

Suggestions: Keep it light. Have fun with it, but take it seriously. Maybe tell a story of why you are the officiant, or a story explaining your relationship with the married couple. Introduce the bride and groom's parents. Tailor the vows to the parties, don't be generic.

[LWJ]

I have officiated three weddings. They have all stuck. Not bad. It is a serious thing. I am very cautious about not offending people. I think it is a real honor.

Member in good standing of the Universal Life Church. Cost: Free. Google it.

Larry

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

You are standing between the assembled masses and, hopefully, an open bar. Never forget that.

Wise words. Be brief, be bright, be gone. Nobody likes a long wedding.