7 Ways to Find a Wedding Officiant (Updated for 2025)

When planning your big day, there are many things to consider. An essential part of your wedding is having an officiant that meets your needs. How do you find the right wedding officiant for you? Here are seven ways to choose the best officiant.

1. Ask Married Friends

If you have a friend, co-worker or family member who recently wed, ask them about their officiant and if they enjoyed having them. 

Think back to any weddings in the same area you’ve attended. Did you enjoy how the ceremony went? Did the officiant do an excellent job joining the couple in marriage? Consider asking the married couple about putting you into contact with that officiant. 

You and your fiancé will want an officiant you can trust to give you your desired ceremony. By asking the people you trust, you can ensure that you’re reaching out to officiants that could work for your wedding. 

2. Contact Your House of Worship 

If you’re getting married in a house of worship, consider contacting a minister or secretary about their officiants. 

For weddings where religion is the main focus, a church leader will likely be able to provide the appropriate ceremony for your beliefs. 

If a leader at the house of worship cannot perform your wedding, they will likely be able to put you into contact with someone who can. 

3. Call City Hall

If you’re looking for a simple, no-stress wedding, consider visiting your local courthouse or city hall to wed. 

You can give the location a quick call to learn about their policies, procedures and the judges who perform weddings at the site. 

Once you know your options, research the available judges to ensure that you’re comfortable with one of them performing your ceremony. 

4. Search Online 

In today’s digital world, it’s easier than ever to use the internet to find what you’re looking for, including an officiant. 

You can search for different types of officiants in your area and see any reviews or information past couples shared. Discover the various types:

• Civil wedding officiant: They are in government roles who can perform a legal marriage ceremony. These officiants usually have titles, like judge, justice of the peace, mayor, magistrate or notary.
• Religious wedding officiant: You can find a religious wedding officiant at your place of worship. Many couples get a pastor to officiate a ceremony at a garden or beach, whereas a Catholic priest may only conduct a ceremony at a church.
• Ordained wedding officiant: This could be any person legally authorized to perform a marriage ceremony. It could be a religious minister, friend or family member who applied at the American Marriage Ministries. 
• Celebrant: Also known as professional wedding officiants, celebrants are licensed professionals who are knowledgeable in spiritual, interfaith and secular wedding ceremonies.

The internet can be a great place to start if you’re still unsure about the type of wedding you want to have. 

5. Talk to Vendors 

Florists, photographers and decorators service many types of weddings.

Your vendors could be your ultimate source for information about officiants in the area. They can tell you about their experience with an officiant at different weddings and what they liked or disliked about the ceremony. 

You can create a list of potential officiants to contact by speaking with your vendors. 

6. Ask the Venue 

Similar to talking with your vendors or a house of worship, you can ask the venue where you plan to marry about officiants. 

Some locations have officiants they regularly work with and can help you get in contact with them. This is an advantageous way to have a ceremony in an unfamiliar area. 

An officiant who knows the venue can also give you ideas that other couples have used at the venue. 

7. Ask a Loved One 

If you need to find a nonreligious officiant, you could find a meaningful one in a loved one. By asking a close friend or family member to marry you, you can ensure that your wedding is personal. Your officiant will be meaningful to everyone who knows your relationship with them.

When deciding on your officiant, consider someone who is close to you and your future spouse. This will make your wedding feel personalized and intimate. 

Questions to Ask a Wedding Officiant

Consider asking the following questions to ensure they are the right fit for a memorable wedding ceremony.

Experience:

• How long have you been working as a wedding officiant?
• How many weddings have you officiated?
• Can you describe your usual wedding ceremony?
• Do you have a specific approach to officiating weddings?

Personalization:

• Are you willing to customize the ceremony to reflect our relationship and personalities?
• Are you willing to include readings, music or any written works that are meaningful to us?
• Do you offer premarital counseling?
• Can you officiate elopements?

Legalities and logistics:

• Are you legally authorized to officiate a wedding in our location?
• What is your fee, its inclusions and payment terms?
• How early will you arrive at the wedding ceremony venue?
• Do you have liability insurance?

Frequently Asked Questions About Finding a Wedding Officiant

Still have clarifications about finding the right officiant for your wedding? Here are the answers to the most common queries.

1. Is There a Cheap Wedding Officiant?

According to a survey of almost 17,000 newlyweds in 2024, the average cost of hiring a wedding officiant in the U.S. is $240. This is only around 1% of the average wedding budget, but the number will still depend on your location and the type of officiant. 

2. How to Find an Officiant for Elopement?

The aforementioned tips remain relevant, but it’s most helpful to ask your venue for recommendations, especially if you plan to elope in an international location. Other couples hire their photographer as the officiant, so you can save on costs or make it easier for everyone involved.

Finding the Right Officiant 

When planning your wedding, choosing an officiant who meets your and your partner’s needs is essential. By considering what you want and reaching out to suitable sources, you can find an officiant who will make your wedding one you’ll love looking back on. 

Originally Published 08/26/2022 – Updated 09/01/2025