As President of the International Association of Professional Wedding Officiants (IAPWO), I frequently have the pleasure of meeting and speaking with professional officiants and celebrants all over the world and one of the first questions I ask is, "How did you get started performing weddings?" The answers I receive are as fascinating as they are diverse - some are seminary-trained clergy, others are retired judges or mayors, and many (like myself) got started by being asked to perform a wedding for a friend or family member. ...(continued)

In previous articles, we mentioned the need for good communication between the couple and their officiant, independent of whether the officiant is a professional or a friend or family member. We also mentioned that if your chosen officiant is performing a wedding ceremony for the first or second time, they should seek guidance. 

There’s a reason for that! 

Below, we recount some stories that folks have shared with us, to illustrate why strong communication, research, and preparation are so important. So, settle in, pour yourself a holiday cocktail, and let the drama unfold!

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