Tips for getting married by a justice of the peace

It's interesting:
"Wasn't the wedding ceremony beautiful? The highlight, of course, was Linda floating magically down the aisle. I'm sure we were all thinking exactly the same ..."

A justice of the peace is a critical part of the wedding planning, as she will be running the headlining event, the wedding ceremony. Everything from her speaking voice to her wedding experience to her general style will be up for scrutiny. Interview several wedding officiants prior to making your final choice to make sure you find the one best suited for you and your spouse-to-be.

1. Type of Ceremony

   • Just because a couple chooses to have their wedding officiated by a justice of the peace doesn't mean they don't want any religious affiliation or spiritual aspects to the ceremony. Before booking a justice of the peace, let him know what type of ceremony you want. Make sure he is open to crafting a ceremony that meets your desires and specifications. Ask if he has Christian, Jewish or any other religious ceremony scripts that you could use as a basis.

   Wedding Rehearsal

   • Ask your officiant if she will be able to attend your wedding rehearsal and if the rehearsal is included in her fees. Having your justice of the peace present during your wedding rehearsal is not absolutely necessary, but it is a plus in helping you stay organized. Having your justice of the peace present can help you to work out any kinks in the ceremony schedule ahead of time. Some officiants will charge for the extra time and travel, however, so clarify your needs prior to booking.

   Details

   • Discuss all the details surrounding your wedding with your officiant well before the big day. If you have a specific dress code in mind for the justice of the peace, such as a tuxedo, let him know when you book his services, as this could impact his fees. Even if you do not require the formality of a tuxedo, you will still want him to be dressed in accordance with the formality of the event. This could mean a suit, a dress shirt and tie or even a Hawaiian print shirt, depending on the wedding. Clarify any and all details as soon in the planning process as possible.

   Restrictions

   • Ask the justice of the peace if there are any restrictions associated with her services. Some officiants may call for no flash photography, which you would need to work out with your photographer. A justice of the peace may want to stick close to the wedding scripts she is comfortable with. If you intend to write your own vows, be sure to let her know early on.

Source: www.ehow.com

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