Are You Ready to Perform a Wedding?

Get prepared, wedding ceremony warnings

At AMM, we want to make sure that everyone is prepared for the big day! Whether you’re a family friend who’s been Asked to Officiate, or you’re doing research for your own wedding, we’re here to help with the ceremony. Regardless of your impending role, you’ll want to keep reading.

 

Officiants are tasked with a tremendous responsibility - that’s you, AMM Minister! - and we’re here to help you get started.

 

 

Caution: This Requires Work!

 

Being asked to perform a wedding ceremony is very exciting. Most folks jump at the opportunity, but you should know what’s required.

 

To be an effective officiant, creative writing and public speaking skills are a must, preparation will be necessary, and you will need to stay calm during stressful or intense wedding moments. Are you up for the challenge, and are you willing to put in the work?

 

A complex wedding ceremony can’t be thrown together at the last minute - remember, there are no “do-overs.” You have to get it right the first time, and a beautiful, smoothly orchestrated 15 to 20 minute ceremony does not happen on its own.

 

Get a Head Start

We recommend that you get ordained as an AMM Minister and start planning as soon as you are asked to officiate.

 

Get together with your couple and prepare a list of all your officiant tasks, and set deadlines for each. Unlike that book report you wrote the night before it was due, a wedding ceremony deserves more than a passing grade.

 

(Visit our Wedding Officiant Training pages for an introduction to the parts of a wedding ceremony and how to start writing the ceremony script.)

 

Communicate

By communicating often, everyone stays on the same page and you will avoid last-minute misunderstandings. Whether it’s through text message, video conference, or a weekly phone call to check in, over-communicating is better than under-communicating.

 

 

Practice

 

Prepare the ceremony early and practice it as many times as you can. With practice, you will know what to say even if you are a little nervous.

 

(Read Rehearsals are Important - Even When Officiating a Friend’s Casual Backyard Wedding Ceremony.)

 

Enjoy Yourself!

 

You have been asked to officiate by two people who love each other and believe in your ability to be a great officiant. Whether you’re a close friend or a blood relative, you’re held in high esteem. Have fun and you’ll do a great job!

 

 

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Did you know?

 

We have a comprehensive workbook available -- Asked to Officiate -- to help you prepare for any wedding ceremony, step by step, in detail, from start to finish!