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WHAT'S AN OFFICIANT?
In planning your wedding ceremony, you may have heard the term “Officiant.” An Officiant is the person, usually a judge or minister or priest of any religious affiliation, who performs the wedding ceremony.
Without a person authorized to marry you, your wedding would simply be a grand party. If you are not legally married, you may not be entitled to benefits provided a married couple.
IS A CEREMONY PERFORMED BY AN OFFICIANT LEGAL?
In Washington State, in order to perform a legal marriage, an "Officiant" must be a judge, ordained minister or priest. Washington State law, RCW 26.04.050, describes a person who can perform a legal marriage ceremony as:
. . .Justices of the supreme court, judges of the court of appeals, judges of the superior courts, superior court commissioners, any regularly licensed or ordained minister or any priest of any church or religious denomination, and judges of courts of limited jurisdiction as defined in RCW 3.02.010.
WHAT TYPE OF CEREMONY WOULD AN OFFICIANT PERFORM?
The title "Officiant" is generally used by persons who prefer to perform civil or non-denominational wedding ceremonies, rather than religious ceremonies. Many churches have strict rules as to who can be married by the pastor or minister of the religion, and if you do not meet the qualifications, a Ceremony Officiant is an excellent alternative. With an Officiant you can have a traditional religious ceremony, a non-traditional ceremony, a mixed faith ceremony, a contemporary ceremony, long, short or anything in between!
HOW DID YOU BECOME AN OFFICIANT?
I am an Ordained Minister through the Universal Life Church which authorizes me to perform legal marriages. I have chosen to perform civil, non-denominational ceremonies because I believe you should have choices, both as to your ceremony content and location, for a reasonable price.
My lovely daughters convinced me to become a Ceremony Officiant when searching for someone to perform their marriage ceremonies. To our surprise, it was difficult to find someone to come to our location to perform the ceremony, for a reasonable price. At their urging, I became an Ordained Minister and performed their marriage ceremonies. (I married both of my daughters within a week of each other.) I have to admit, these were the most touching moments of my life! It brought such joy, and I realized there was a need for an Officiant to perform ceremonies, away from the courthouse, for a reasonable price.
Couples choose not to be married in a church for many reasons. Maybe you're already living together. Maybe you've been married before. Maybe you're pregnant. Maybe one partner is not of the same religion or church and doesn't want to change beliefs. Other couples simply choose not to be married in the church. Some couples are mixing faiths and wish a blended ceremony, recognizing both faiths. Some couples simply desire a very private, short, simple yet romantic ceremony.
Whatever your reason for your choice of marriage ceremony, it is not my place to judge you. I am simply honored you have chosen me to share the joy, love and romance of your special day with you. |
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