What Are The Four Types of a Wedding Officiant?

To make your wedding successful, you need to hire a lot of people. However, apart from other individuals that contribute toward making your wedding a successful ceremony, a wedding officiant is one of the most important individuals. Wedding is an event that is filled with important decisions, but you must research well and choose a registered and experienced Connecticut wedding officiant who will marry you. For that, you need to be aware of the type of officiant that exists.

There are numerous types, and it all depends on the type of marriage ceremony you are planning. You need to know the difference between various officiants to figure out which one suits your event. This blog will guide you through all the main types of individuals that officiate a wedding so that you are well-equipped with all the critical information before you proceed with employing the individual to lead your marriage ceremony.

Main Types of Wedding Officiants

Before you start your search for a wedding officiant in Connecticut, you must decide on the type of marriage ceremony you have envisioned. This will decide the ideal marriage officiant that you must seek to hire. The following points provide a succinct overview and cover all the main kinds of Officiants, including secular and religious.

Civil Wedding Officiant

Now, these officiants come under government roles and possess the ability to legally lead the wedding ceremony as per the state-defined laws. The individual is regarded as a secular officiant and can hold different positions. These positions include mayor, judge, city clerk, justice of the peace, magistrate, notary, etc. The individual mainly leads the ceremonies that fall under the government setting, which primarily includes courthouse weddings. Now, if you are planning to go with a simple and non-religious wedding, then this is the right option for you.

Religious Wedding Officiant

Now, as the name suggests, these individuals follow a certain religion and lead the ceremonies as per the principles of a particular faith. Different religions have distinct religious titles all of whom can lead your ceremony and sign the marriage certificate. Once you hire a religious individual to officiate a wedding, it is not mandatory for you to conduct your wedding at a designated religious site or a place of worship. It implies that you are free to plan your wedding on a beach and on a cruise as well. However, it is always recommendable to consult your officiant before finalizing the wedding location.

Professional Wedding Officiant

Now, this is another option you have apart from civil and religious officiants for your wedding. These are certified individuals with adequate experience whom you can hire to officiate your wedding. These individuals have knowledge pertaining to numerous types of ceremonies that includes spiritual, secular, or even interfaith wedding event. Additionally, apart from leading the ceremony on the wedding day, the professional can also help you with your vows while writing and practicing them. With the help of such officiants, you can also personalize your wedding and include any customs you would like to perform.

Ordained Wedding Officiant

Though it is recommended to always employ a licensed and experienced person to officiate your wedding ceremony, some couples prefer their friend or a close associate to perform this task. It adds a special feel to the occasion. This individual can agree to officiate the event and eventually become ordained to be able to do so. It is imperative to be knowledgeable about the laws of the state in which the wedding takes. If the laws suggest that online ordination is not acceptable, you can ask your friend to get officially ordained or you can choose to hire a professional officiant instead.

Conclusion

Notwithstanding the fact whether you are planning for a luxurious or a low-key wedding, hiring a credible officiant is a necessary step. If you are not opting to ask your loved one to officiate your ceremony, you need to hire a licensed individual. Here, you must know the options you have. Research well and hire a legit Connecticut marriage officiant and do not compromise on the experience part because the individual must be well-versed with the necessary customs and state laws. You can also give your wedding a unique touch by going for the cruise wedding. For this, Nautical Wedding Bells is the best option because Captain Arnold has a lot of experience in officiating cruise weddings. Even if you are choosing a normal wedding, it will help you in personalizing your ceremonies and planning each aspect to perfection.