Simple tips on what to wear when performing a wedding ceremony

 

 

When you're performing something as important as a wedding ceremony, you want to look good, but you also want to feel good. And yes, that velvet suit or gold lame mini dress might be right for a night out, but they'll probably look uncomfortably out of place during someone's casual backyard elopement. Think about it...

 

• En español: Qué Usar Y Qué No Usar Como Oficiante De Bodas

 

A ceremony is an “event of ritual significance, performed on a special occasion.” That means there are prescribed ways of doing things. Certain clothes to wear, words to say, and ways to act. Few ceremonies carry as much ritual significance as wedding ceremonies, where couples publicly declare a legally binding commitment to each other. 

 

But that doesn’t mean you can’t let your personal style shine through.

Heck, that’s probably why the couple asked you to officiate in the first place. Wedding officiants -- that’s you -- are rockstars! 

 

Let’s dive into what to wear as a wedding officiant, because there are a lot of variables - such as the feel of the event, weather, location, venue, and what the couple are wearing - that come into play!

Let your personality shine through while matching the 'tone' of the wedding!

AMM Minister Vitumbiko Ngwira in a perfect blue dress.

 

 

Read the room.

 

Our first recommendation is to dress at the same level as the couple.

 

What we mean by the “same level” is that if the couple is in wedding dresses and/or tux/suits, then the officiant should be in nice dress or suit. On the other hand, if the wedding couple is in casual clothing (e.g. sundresses and/or khakis), then the officiant should match that same style and tone of attire.

 

The idea is that everyone feels comfortable. Have you ever been the most overdressed or underdressed person in a room? You probably felt a little out of place. And although it is probably okay to be overdressed, being underdressed as an officiant could throw off the ceremony, by making you -- the officiant -- uncomfortable. You want to be calm and relaxed, not worrying about what you are wearing.

 

 

        

Dress to the same 'level' of formality as the couple and consider the venue.

AMM Ministers Mathew Anderson, Bithja Gebrulien, and Hazel Colon (left to right)

 

 

 

Let’s talk about robes.

 

Look, anybody can wear whatever they want. This is America! But there are certain conventions to be aware of if you decide to wear a robe. Most folks that wear robes have “earned” them. They've usually completed some sort of seminary training, rabbinical school, or other religious ordination process in which a robe is an expected part of the outcome/attire.

 

Here at AMM, we don’t really have a position on robes, and we don’t even have any on hand. (If that’s something our ministers are interested in, let us know!)

 

It’s also possible to “earn” your robe simply by being called to your particular line of ministry -- in this case, officiating weddings. That’s fine too, as long as the couple is on board. It’s worth checking in with them first, because a big part of being an officiant is presentation and ultimately, that’s up to the couple since it’s their ceremony. 

 

For a modern alternative to a robe that looks sharp but doesn't come with any religious connotations or expectations, check out our custom AMM Officiant Stole.

 

 

The wedding stole is a modern alternative to a robe.

AMM Minister David Zavala in our classic stole.

 

 

Dress in neutral colors. 

 

We recommend this because bright colors stand out in pictures. It’s important that the couple are front and center in the ceremony pictures, not the officiant.

 

Let’s use a common example of a bride in a white dress and a groom in a black tux with a white shirt. Or perhaps there are two grooms in dark gray colored suits. You get the picture... If the officiant is wearing a light green shirt with a brightly colored tie, or a vibrant red cocktail dress, folks will be distracted from the couple.

 

Let the couple be the center of attention.  

 

 

AMM Minister Liz Rae's classic black outfit helps the remain the center of attention.

 

 

Consider the climate.

 

Is the wedding outdoors? What’s the weather forecast? Are you going to be standing and walking on wet, slippery grass?

 

AMM recently attended a lovely wedding that was held on the front lawn of a winery outside of Charleston, Virginia. The sun was shining, it was a balmy 65 degrees, and everything was perfect. Well, that is, everything except the grass... It had poured rain the night before and we were practically standing in a swamp.

 

Fortunately, the wedding officiant and the couple were prepared. They wore dark leather shoes that allowed them to navigate the soggy terrain easily. But for guests wearing tan loafers or high heels, the trek from the parking lot to the seating area was downright treacherous. 

 

This example shows why it’s important to consider the venue and weather, because the right footwear is crucial. 

 

Dress for the weather and terrain! 

This means the right outerwear, like coats and hats, and the right shoes.

AMM Minister Brandy Kerley officiates a snowy winter ceremony.

 

 

 

Ultimately, choosing what to wear all comes down to good communication.

 

The couple and the officiant need to discuss what they'll be wearing. Even if the couple says, “dress anyway you want,” (and maybe especially then...) the officiant needs to think about their attire in the context of the role they are playing… Wedding ceremony officiant, not just wedding guest.

 

 

Updated April 2022

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You might also like: 

 

• This Might Be the Most Important Thing a Wedding Officiant Wears to a Ceremony…

 

• Look Like an Over-Prepared Superhero: The Five Things All Wedding Officiants Should Have.)

 

• ...So What Does a Wedding Officant Really Do? (What to expect your first time performing a marriage)

 

• What to wear as weddings trend toward the bold, bright & colorful in 2021

 

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Asked to officiate?  

 

You only get one shot to deliver a perfect wedding ceremony.

 

 

There’s no ‘take-two’ when it comes time for a couple to say ‘I do’--  Wedding officiants only get one shot to perform a perfect wedding ceremony. 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL WEDDING OFFICIANT CERTIFICATION COURSE 

 

 

 

 

Give yourself the tools and training you deserve to succeed as a wedding officiant, so that you can stand beside the lucky couple with complete confidence on their big day. 

 

 

VISIT COURSE

 

 

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Signature Wedding Officiant Package

 

 

 

Our Signature Wedding Officiant Package includes everything you'll need to successfully officiate a wedding ceremony! 

 

 

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