Indianapolis Officiants Guide

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How to Find the Right Indiana Clergyman for Your Wedding

Indianapolis’s location in the center of the country means you have a lot to choose from; different food, different nightlife, and different faiths. Lucky for you, finding the right officiant for your Indianapolis wedding won’t be a race. Just follow these few tips and you’ll be on the right track.

Your Indianapolis 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 “Indianapolis 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 a house of worship.

Traditional 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 (because the two of you belong to separate faiths, you’re getting married in a park, etc.), he might be able to point you in the right direction.

The first thing to keep in mind when interviewing Indianapolis 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 officiant on your list.

When you’re ready to start talking with Indianapolis officiants, visit the OurWeddingDay.com Indianapolis 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 up 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 an Indianapolis 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.

-David Toussaint