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

Is it a suit, a smile, a stole, or a magic cape?  

 

 

 

All of these things can be important, depending on the wedding… and we can’t discount the impact of a genuine smile as you pronounce your couple ‘blissfully wed,’ or the way a stylish stole takes a well-cut suit to a whole new level...

 

Still, one of the most important things a wedding officiant can wear on the wedding day is the right pair of shoes. 

 

Hear us out. 

 

What you wear on your feet can make or break your experience performing a wedding. 

 

We’ve heard countless stories from ministers lamenting unexpected patches of mud, rocky terrain, or long hikes from the parking lot to the altar in a new pair of heels. We’ve heard tales of ministers slipping on staircases, and getting stuck in soggy socks for hours after underestimating a weather report or an innocent looking puddle.

 

And even if your shoes don’t show up in wedding photos (they will, though), they still make a difference in your overall appearance at the ceremony, and how guests and potential future clients see you. 

 

 

We don’t say this to be shallow, we say it out of love: 

 

Wear the right shoes... AND bring a backup pair. 

 

 

The right shoes for a ceremony look good, fit comfortably, and are appropriate for the weather and terrain at the venue. A backup pair will make life even easier. 

 

(For example: Officiating a stylish, formal-wear wedding in the middle of the woods? Bring a pair of hiking shoes and a pair of dress shoes to change into before the ceremony starts.)

 

 

Choose wisely! 

 

Consider these factors when choosing which shoes to wear to officiate a wedding:

 

1. The weather

 

Check the weather forecast a few days before the ceremony and right before you leave for the venue. If the wedding is scheduled during the rainy season, bring a change of shoes and socks to avoid standing around with soggy feet for an hour. (Oh, and bring an umbrella, too.) This goes for snowy or icy seasons, too, which mean slippery sidewalks. You can always change into photo-worthy shoes inside! 

 

2. The tone/feel of the ceremony 

 

Is the wedding attire casual or formal? Do you need to match any wedding colors? Choose shoes that match the level of formality or theme of the ceremony.  (Don’t wear Birkenstocks when everyone else is in cocktail attire … duh.)

 

3. The venue

 

Is the ceremony indoors or outdoors? Is it up ten flights of stairs in a historic lighthouse, on the deck of a sailboat, or in a national park? Consider whether there will be a lot of walking, steep inclines, loose gravel, or muddy grass to navigate. 

 

If you’re unfamiliar with a venue’s terrain and layout, do some research online or visit ahead of time. It could spare you needless discomfort and blisters!

 

4. How long you’ll actually be on your feet

 

Even a ‘quickie’ ceremony can run long, especially if you’re stuck waiting around for a late bride or groom, or get volunteered to help set up chairs when someone’s Aunt Linda goes missing. Weddings rarely start (or end) on time. You’ll be on your feet helping the couple stay calm and organized from the moment you arrive until they can finally say “I do,” no matter what happens in between. 

 

That’s why it’s essential to wear comfortable shoes that you can stand and walk in for a few hours -- not just the 15 minutes you’ll be delivering the ceremony. 

 

5. What the rest of your outfit looks like

 

Your shoes, accessories, and belt should match! Or at least compliment each other in style, color, and texture. For example, black leather shoes go with a black belt. They can also be paired with an accent belt in red or hot pink, but not with a brown belt. Make sense?

 

If not, don’t worry. We cover this more in depth in What Does a Wedding Officiant Wear?!

 

 

Next, read What to Wear (and Not Wear) as a Wedding Officiant

 

 

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You might also like: 

 

• Right Before You Step on Stage: A Wedding Officiant’s (Very) Last Minute Checklist

 

• What Should I Do With My Hands? 4 Tips For First Time Wedding Officiants

 

• Delivering Your Script at the Ceremony

 

• The AMM Officiant Who STOLE the Show

 

 

Pictured above, AMM Minister Chase Lee of One Plug Entertainment in Brookfield, CT:

Professional Officiant, DJ, and unofficial stole model

 

 

AMM Officiant Stoles are available in our store: Satin wedding stoles for Ministers that want to draw attention to the importance of their role.

 

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