Questions to Ask Your Wedding Officiant

The officiant is the person who marries you — they set the tone of the whole ceremony. Before you book, have a real conversation (phone or video beats email here) and cover these.

The essentials

• Are you registered / licensed to perform marriages in New York? Can we see proof?
• What's your fee, and what exactly does it include?
• How long have you been officiating, and how many weddings have you done recently?
• How far in advance do we need to book? What's your cancellation and rescheduling policy?

The ceremony itself

• Can we personalize the ceremony — our vows, readings, rituals, languages?
• How long does a typical ceremony last?
• Do you involve our guests or family if we'd like that?
• What will you wear? (You'd be surprised how many couples forget to ask — and then notice in every photo.)
• Do you allow photography during the ceremony?

The paperwork

• Who handles the marriage license after the ceremony — do you file it for us?
• What do we need to do about the license beforehand? Will you guide us?
• If we're coming from abroad, can you advise on the apostille process?

The logistics

• Do you charge extra if the ceremony starts late?
• What happens if it rains? What's your backup plan?
• Do you do rehearsals, and is there a fee?
• Will *you* be our officiant on the day, or might someone else be sent?

The most important question isn't on the list: after talking, do you feel comfortable with this person? They're going to stand two feet away from you during one of the most emotional moments of your lives. Trust your gut.

P.S. If you're asking us — Alexandra is a registered NYC officiant, Joan is your photographer, and yes, we answer all of the above before you book. Message us on WhatsApp.