South Florida’s Marriage Experts
Miami marriages can be Art Deco elegant or beachside bohemian. As interfaith officiant Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway puts it, the city is “like nature’s wedding chapel, filled with beaches, pools, and waterfront hotels that are perfect for your ceremony.” Wherever you tie the knot, finding the right officiant for your South Florida wedding can be as enjoyable as a cool ocean breeze.
Start your officiant search as soon as you’ve set the date of your wedding, and once you’ve decided on the style of your affair—secular, religious, or a combination of both. If you’ve picked South Florida for its party atmosphere, finding an officiant is a cinch. You can get married by a judge or justice of the peace, or a county clerk. Most of these officiants require a marriage at city hall, but some will head to your reception site.
Traditional secular weddings in Miami.
One option is to look for a non-denominational minister, who can add religious touches to your wedding, even if you’re saying “I Do,” at the Delano. Any member of the clergy can marry you, provided he is comfortable with your ceremony plans. Always ask friends and relatives for recommendations. Do not compromise with an officiant’s personality. The man who makes the two of you legal needs to have similar views on the ceremony, and both of you need to get along with him. If there is any tension, move on to the next person on your list.
Religious weddings in Miami.
Anyone who’s attended a Palm Beach affair knows that South Florida can be very traditional. If you’re planning on a formal, religious ceremony, first talk to the clergyperson at your house of worship. Even if he can’t—or won’t—marry you, he might be able to point you in the right direction. If that doesn’t work, use the services listed above. Says Brockway, “Miami has interfaith and nontraditional ministers who will create wonderful, personalized ceremonies, even on the water.”
Once you’ve selected an officiant—and made sure he’s available for the wedding and wedding rehearsal!—it’s customary to invite him and his spouse to the rehearsal dinner. If he’s traveling a long distance, you’re expected to pay for transportation and lodging.
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 Miami 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.
Follow these steps, and finding an officiant will be like a day on the beach.
-David Toussaint