| One of the most forgotten about expenses most | | | | marriage license bureau and ask. Better to do this |
| couples for get to budget for is the cost of their | | | | ahead of time, rather than find out you really aren't |
| officiant. Sure, if you are both members of the same | | | | married at some later point. Checking on this sooner |
| place of worship, you may already know that it's only | | | | rather than later will also allow you the time to find |
| going to be case of slipping your clergyman a few | | | | someone else, if necessary. |
| dollars and he'll be happy. But for those who don't | | | | Here are some places you can start your search for |
| belong to a religious group, you are from different | | | | an officiant: |
| faiths, or you'd rather have a civil instead of a | | | | 1. Local Newspapers |
| religious ceremony, this is an expense that shouldn't | | | | Check out the wedding announcements. Officiants will |
| be overlooked. | | | | sometimes advertise near the announcements. |
| Forgetting to include this cost in your budget is one | | | | 2. Your town or county clerk's office |
| thing. But it's a completely different matter if the | | | | In addition to knowing who's licensed to officiate |
| officiant you want to perform your ceremony isn't | | | | weddings, they usually also know who actually |
| licensed to do so in your state! Every state allows | | | | performs these services and may very well provide |
| clergy members, judges and justices of the peace to | | | | you with a referral. |
| perform weddings. Other states do allow various | | | | 3. Online |
| others to perform weddings. When you find one of | | | | Check with sites such as the organization National |
| these folks, you will likely find that they charge a lot | | | | Association of Wedding Officiants operates at and |
| less than the traditional folks. | | | | the Association of Wedding Ministers at aministry.net. |
| But, keep in mind that the term clergy member can | | | | Both offer searchable databases of |
| and often does mean different things in different | | | | nondenominational officiants in your area. |
| states. For example, most states allow people who | | | | A word to the wise - start your search for an |
| have been ordained online to perform marriage | | | | officiant at least 6 months in advance of your |
| ceremonies, but Arizona says Nay, Nay to that | | | | wedding. This is especially true if you are planning a |
| situation. Other states require online ordained clergy | | | | religious affair and you are planning on a summer or |
| to register with the state. | | | | weekend wedding. These times book up very quickly. |
| To be absolutely certain that your officiant - and | | | | In addition, some premarital counselling sessions may |
| therefore your marriage - is legal, all your town or | | | | be required - which may involve fees of some sort. |
| county clerk's office or if you have one, your | | | | |