Questions?

uestions

. What can I expect from my wedding officiant; what can he/she do for me?

A good wedding officiant can be helpful in many ways. Certainly they should perform all the

agreed-upon basics-- like getting your input on the ceremony, preparing the script, conducting

wedding rehearsal, performing the actual ceremony, taking care of the legal paperwork to

finalize the

marriage, and so on. But a good officiant can

also support you in other ways:

They've done

a lot more

weddings than you have-- If there are questions about wedding etiquette

or a debate about the music

for the ceremony, they should be able to offer good advice. They

know about different wedding

locations, musicians, photographers or other

suppliers in the area--

ask them. They can be your

guide and information resource about customs, traditions, and

technical issues (will you need

microphones or

an "alter"

for

your

ceremony?). Use them!

hat's an appropriate location for

a wedding

ceremony-- do I need a church or chapel?

s with most things, your "wedding vision" and preferences are a major factor, here.

If you want

church or chapel setting,

in many areas

you may be ab

to rent one.

ften though

ouples choose

to hold the ceremony at:

(1) the same location where the reception will be held (hall, hotel, country

club, etc.), (2) the home

of a

friend

or family member, or (3) a special site chosen for style (a

picturesque beach or gazebo,

museum or historic site, a garden or arboretum, an art gallery, a

park...) Almost anyplace is

possible,

but you need to think about size, driving time, need for a permit

or permission, and various

practical

issues

[

s it effected by weather?

parking and

restrooms

available

Is there seating (at least for grandma and grandpa)?

ill you be liable

if there's

damage?

]

o I really need things like a wedding rehearsal, ceremony music, or other "extras?"

he answer is a definite, "it depends." For example, if it's a small wedding party (just the two of

you

plus a best man and maid of honor) you may not need a rehearsal

but if you'll have multiple

players

on the stage you really need to practice how they will get there, where they're going to stand,

and who

does what during the ceremony. If it's a brief ceremony with a small number of guests,

you may not

need any

wedding music. But if you'll have a large room full of people and six

bri

smaids coming

down an aisle before you, you really shouldn't do it all in silence

. (I

t'll just

feel w

rd!) The best rule

here-- Ask your wedding officiant for advice.

ow far in advance does

wedding

have to be planned?

ost planners say at least six months, and preferably a year in advance. This is good advice, but

have seen very nice weddings pulled together in a month or two, when necessary. So, if you

need to

work with less lead time, don't panic. Just

be flexible

You'll

need to secure a wedding

officiant to

perform the ceremony (and maybe help with your plans). You

'll have

to arrange

location for

the

ceremony and/or reception. With that information in hand, you

can then

get invitations printed and talk

anyone else you'd like to have participate. If you have the luxury of

more time, the possibilities are

greater; you can consider more alternatives, search

for good pricing,

and

allow yourself and

everyone else to feel

a little

more comfortable! [

ore time

definitely better!]

. What about a wedding license?

This is pretty important-- in fact, you can't get married without it! Fortunately, it's not difficult to deal

with.

In Michigan, wedding licenses are applied for and issued

your County Clerk's office. You

must be

at least 18 and apply in either the County where the bride or groom lives, or

[preferably]

the County

where the marriage ceremony will be performed. If both applicants can go to the Clerk together,

that's

great. But

if only one can go, he or she will have to complete the application process for both--

This will

require

both applicant's driver's licenses (photocopy of license front and back for absent

party is

acceptable), both parties full legal names, addresses/dates/places of birth, etc. [

NOTE

Some counties

may ask for additional information

such as birth certificates, etc. W

e suggest you call

or check

our

county's

website first

.] The fee will be $20. for residents ($30. non-residents). There is a 3-day waiting

period and the marriage must take place within 30 days thereafter. The license must be presented

our

wedding officiant, who

must complete and sign it, have two witnesses

(with ID)

sign, give

copy

the

bride and groom

, and file the original with the county clerk that issued it

6. What

are these

“special feature” ceremonies, referred to in your packages?

There are

any

special features that can be a part of the overall wedding ceremony.

Each is explained

to the guests as it is done.

Here are

brief descriptions for

few

of the mo

popular

features

Unity Candle:

Actually involves 3 candles. One or more people from the bride’s family and the groom’s

family come up and light two side candles. Later, the bride and groom use these two candles to light a

larger, center candle. Symbolizes the uniting of the two families through this marriage.

Sand Ceremony:

Very similar to Unity Candle (sometimes preferred for windy outdoor weddings).

Families pour colored sand into two separate glass containers. Bride and groom then pour these into

a center glass container which is later sealed and given to them to take home as a symbol of the

mixing

together

their families and their lives.

Handfasting:

An ancient Celtic ritual. As bride and groom respond to certain questions from officiant,

a decorative colored rope is draped over their clasped hands. After a series of 5 or 6 questions/ropes,

the officiant ties them "fast" using a simple knot. The ropes are then removed (still tied) and given to

the bride and groom, never to be untied. Symbolizes the lifelong commitment of the marriage—this

is where the phrase, “tying the knot” comes from.

Rose Ceremony:

Officiant gives bride and groom each a rose and talks about rose as symbol of love

and nature’s beauty. Bride and groom are then asked to give their roses to each other as their very

first gift in marriage. Officiant then

xplains

that while each is still holding a rose and

look

s the same,

they know they have given something very precious to each other

, just as in their vows.

t is suggested

they

may want to repeat this

rose

xchange

anniversary, remembering this day.

Wine/Glass Ceremony:

Bride and groom are each asked to drink from a glass of wine, the ancient

natural symbol of vitality, passion, and good luck in life. Empty glass is then wrapped in a napkin and

placed on the floor. The groom is asked to stamp on the glass, breaking it as a symbol of fidelity—

“No-one else may ever drink of the wine these two have shared today.”

There are variations on each of these rituals and there are

many

other special ceremonies that can be used

instead.

Ask your wedding officiant

for more ideas

7. What if I have other questions?

Your wedding officiant and the other professionals you choose can all be good resources. In addition,

there are lots of great books, magazines, and wonderful websites out there!

Also- c

heck

our

Links/Resources

page.

NOTE:

Wedding Ceremonies- Michigan

and

weddingceremoniesmi.com

are not legal advisors

or government

authorities. The information

ffered

here is for your convenience

only. While we try to provide accurate

information,

we can not be responsible for oversights or omissions and we suggest you contact the appropriate

authorities to confirm

or clarify any information before acting on it.