Hiring Local Texas Ministers of All Faiths


Houston might be a vast and sprawling city, but finding the perfect officiant for your ceremony should be a short and efficient journey. Weddings are big news here, the only major difference between less-conservative parts of the country being that non-traditional clergymen are not as plentiful. (You can, however, find them locally.) Most Houston weddings lean toward the formal side, so follow these tips and you’ll be on the right path.

Your Houston officiant search should begin as soon as you’ve set the date for your wedding, and once you’ve decided on the style and formality of the affair. You can always be married by a Justice of the Peace, but for more common options, you’ll need to broaden your enquiries.

Traditional, secular weddings.
If you’ve decided on a secular affair, search for titles like “Houston Officiants,” to find a variety of non-denominational ministers or other inter-faith ministers. (The former are well-versed in most religions and can add the religious touches you choose.) All of these ministers can marry you outside of a house of worship.

Religious weddings.
Traditional, formal affairs call for a conservative minister, and the first place to look is your house of worship. Even if your clergyman won’t marry you (for whatever reason, such as the two of you belong to different faiths, or you’re getting married in a park), he might be able to point you in the right direction.

The first thing to remember when interviewing clergymen is whether or not you click with their personalities. The minister you choose is the one who makes your marriage official, so it’s imperative that you share similar views on the ceremony. Listen to his ideas, and offer your own. If his ceremony requirements don’t match yours, move on to the next person on the list.

When you’re ready to start talking with Houston officiants, visit the OurWeddingDay.com Houston Local Vendor section for a great list of regularly updated contacts.

Once you’ve selected an officiant—and made sure his calendar isn’t booked for your big day!—remember to invite him and his spouse to your rehearsal dinner. Should he be traveling a long distance for your affair, it’s customary to pay for his transportation and lodging expenses.

Most officiants charge for their services, especially non-denominational and interfaith ministers. Religious officiants who offer services independent of their house of worship will charge a fee too. If you’re getting married in a Houston church where the minister is part of the package, you won’t be expected to pay him. Instead, a “love offering” of at least $100 is appreciated. Some officiants can be pricey, so find out the fee or expected donation upfront.

Then saddle up, and get ready to take the ride of your lives!


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