How to Find and Hire the Best Wedding Officiant in Atlanta, Georgia

By Wedding Ministers & Officiants of Atlanta

Here are some tips to look for in searching for your perfect Wedding Officiant, Marriage Minister, Justice of the Peace, Judge, or Chaplain: First, look for these common title phrases used by the most successful and experienced officiants.  This will help you know initially if this individual has qualifications associated with a successful wedding officiant: Professional Wedding Officiant References Provided; Official Certified and Licensed Wedding Officiant; How to Get Your Marriage Validated; We Also Do Large Formal Wedding Ceremonies; Free Quote and Advertised Discounts; Check Out our Online Reviews; Located in Same Location Over the Years; Radio and T.V. experience; We can Come to You; Meet in Advance for Mutual Pre-Screening; and Bridal Fairs and Venue Recommendations.

There is a difference between a wedding minister and a wedding officiant.  According to Wikipedia, a wedding minister is "a person authorized by a church or other religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community. The term is taken from Latin minister ("servant", "attendant").  In some church traditions the term is usually used for people who have been ordained, but in other traditions it can also be used for non-ordained."  One of the religious rites the minister is ordained to perform is the Holy Act of Matrimony.

However, a Wedding Officiant can be either clergy or civil non-clergy.  According to Wikipedia this is one who is a civil celebrant or civil officer such as a judge or justice of the peace who performs acts of marriage as a civil union. These are independent civil celebrants certified by the government rather than the church. They are encouraged to provide ceremonies of meaning and substance. Their main legal responsibility is to witness the consent of the intended spouses for the wedding license.  Hence, validate the marriage or civil union for legal purposes. Their main social and cultural responsibility is to create ceremonies which engender respect for the institution of marriage.  This is a bit of church vs. state in the business of matrimony.

In conclusion, just like as with any other service one is looking to use, it pays to do your homework.  Always know who you are hiring to perform your wedding ceremony.  Please visit us at Wedding Ministers & Officiants of Atlanta click here now