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Many things come to mind when couples are planning their wedding. Brides-to-be may envision walking down an aisle decked with beautiful flowers in a space populated with their closest loved ones, while grooms may anticipate the moment they first see their beloved in a beautiful gown. One person who will be there to witness it all may not garner too much of a couple’s planning energy, but officiants are nonetheless notable components of a couple’s big day.

Wedding officiants come from a variety of backgrounds. Many are representatives from a couple’s house of worship, such as a parish priest or the rabbi from their synagogue. Others are friends of the couple who get certified to officiate weddings just for the occasion. Many more are officiants couples meet for the first time in advance of their wedding. For those going that latter route, knowing what to ask when vetting an officiant can increase the chances of finding the right fit. No two couples are the same, so some of the following questions may not apply to every couple, but many can come in handy and help couples identify the right officiant to preside over their nuptials.

– How long have you been officiating?

– Are you a legally recognized officiant?

– What inspired you to become a wedding officiant?

– What is your fee?

– What is included in your fee?

– Do you ever book more than one wedding in a day?

– Can we write our own vows?

– Can you share remarks you’ve prepared at previous weddings you officiated?

– Can you share references from past couples whose weddings you officiated?

– What is the biggest challenge to arise during a ceremony you officiated and how did you handle it?

– Is it possible to customize our ceremony?

– Are you available on our wedding day?

– When do you typically arrive at a ceremony venue?

– What is your availability during the season we want to tie the knot?

– How far will you travel to officiate a wedding?

– How often do you meet with couples in advance of a wedding?

– How long is the average ceremony you officiate?

– Are you familiar with unity ceremonies?

– Are you available for the rehearsal?

– Do you perform religious ceremonies?

– Do you perform inter-faith ceremonies?

– What do you typically wear during a ceremony?

– Do you plan to stay for the reception?

– Do you have a backup officiant on call in case you cannot make it at the last minute?

– Do you have any specific requests of the couple?

Choice of officiant is a significant decision, and these are just some of the questions couples can ask when vetting prospective wedding officiants.