Are you newly engaged and wondering what to do next?
The very first thing to determine, even before setting a date, is whether to have a religious or civil ceremony.
That might sound simple, but it could be a difficult decision if you are of different faiths. If this is true in your case, then:
Speak to clergy from both of your religions, and ask if they are open to co-officiating.
If one (or both) is not, ask him or her to refer you to a less conservative member of his or her denomination.
To find ministers who specialize in interfaith ceremonies, contact the Unitarian Universalist Association
Many religions require that every engaged couple attend premarital counseling for several weeks, sometimes months. Find out about these requirements before setting a wedding date.
If you decide to have a civil ceremony, then make sure the officiant can perform a legal union in the state where you will be married.
A few officiants we happen to like here at Trilogy Event Design include:
Jill Magerman @ Meaningful Milestones
Stacey Thomas @ Philadelphia Wedding Chapel
Reverend Roxy @ Married by Rev Roxy
(It is just a coincidence that they are all women.)
Many religious ceremonies require a payment in the form of a donation. Civil celebrants will either have a fixed rate or a customizable package rate.
Once you have decided on the type of ceremony, then you can choose the type of venue for your ceremony: church, chapel, synagogue, a museum, art gallery, restaurant, hotel, your home, a beach, a park, barn... the list goes on and on.
Some religious officiants will not perform the ceremony outside of their house of worship. Be sure to ask about this before making a commitment.
We’ll be back soon with more useful tips and interesting tidbits to help you plan an amazing event. If you can’t wait, feel free to schedule an initial meeting to discuss the details for your special day.
Until next time,
