Yet, of all the providers at your wedding, perhaps, none is more central than the officiant. The less evident the other providers are is often a measure of how successfully they are completing their roles. However, the officiant, by the nature of his role, finds himself in a prominent position. And so, it is critical that you have confidence in him to lead the service in a way that meets your expectations. To a large extent that ability is determined by his experience.

My own experience is drawn from 26 years of active pastoral ministry. Part of that time I served as a director of marriage preparation for the Diocese of Southwark (London, England). I am a certified marriage counselor and currently offer pastoral counseling to families and individuals. It has been my privilege and joy to preside at literally hundreds of weddings from London in the east to Los Angeles in the west. Yet, despite, or perhaps, because of the number of couples I have worked with, I have never failed to feel humbled and honored that a couple would allow me to be part of such a precious and personal moment.

To stand so closely to a couple, who clearly love each other, to witness the sheer joy and happiness that they radiate has deepened and enriched my appreciation of the wedding ceremony. It is that same appreciation and value of the ceremony that I would endeavor to bring to your wedding ceremony.