Officiant's Day of Wedding Procedure
Don't Leave Home Without
1. Ceremony and Binder to hold the pages
2. Directions
3. Cell Phone
4. Contact info for couple and the site
6. Black Pen
7. License (if it was given to you ahead of time)
8. Gas in the gas tank!
At the Ceremony Location (plan to arrive 30-60 minutes before ceremony start time)
1. Check in with bride and groom to let them know you've arrived.
2. Get the license if you don't already have it. (If signing license prior to ceremony, find photographer to get a picture of it and then get it signed right away).
3. Meet with photographer, introduce yourself and tell them your feelings on flash photos--they will respect your wishes if you will find that distracting.
4. Introduce yourself to the wedding coordinator or site coordinator if there is one.
5. Talk to music people (D.J. quartet, etc.) let them see the ceremony-coordinate when they will be playing. Make sure they know the last line you will say at the end so they know when to start the recessional music. Note be
very specific and patient if the music person is a non-professional (such as a friend running an Ipod. They are not professionals and so will need a bit of hand-holding.)
6. Find out who will have the rings and insure that they have them.
7. If there are to be readers and/or soloists in the ceremony, be sure to check in with them, determine where they will stand during their presentation, if they will require your microphone. Also indicate where in the ceremony their part is located and how you will cue them.
8. Be sure to meet the parents of the bride and groom, most especially if you are doing the
Words Honoring Parents. This insures that you will look at the right people when you are talking to them.
9. Test the microphone if there is one.
10. Make sure you can pronounce everyone's names (especially the groom's last name if they are being introduced as Mr.& Mrs. at the end.)
11. Give the venue a quick once-over; look for things like tripods blocking the aisle, flowers that block where the wedding party has to stand or anything else that looks out of place.
12. Line up the wedding party for the processional (if there is no coordinator on site).
13. Review the ceremony in detail to make sure you have everything you need.
*A good tip to get the wedding party started on time. Give the bridal party (especially the gals) a 10-minute head's up announcement as well as a 5-minute one. It will get them focused and moving-they simply lose track of time.
Things to Check
Unity Candle
Check for matches or a torch and insure that they work. Make sure candles are secure in their holders and that the wick for the Unity Candle is long enough.
Rose Ceremony
Check for roses at the front.
Bowl of Blessings
Insure that rocks are being passed out to guests. Make sure wedding party has rocks. Find out where the collection bowl is to be so you can tell guests.
Wine Ceremony
Check for wine (opened!) and a glass.
Breaking the Glass
Check for glass or light bulb wrapped in cloth napkin.
Sand or
Salt Ceremony
Check that sand/salt vials are in place and ready to pour
Hand fasting
Check for tie and make sure you know who is doing the tying.
Broom Jumping
Broom
Four Directions
Ribbons for tying.
Arras Coins
Be sure coin-bearer has coins.
After the Ceremony
Pose for photos with the Bride and Groom.
Complete Marriage License and mail