Looking for that right wedding officiant for your Jewish or interfaith wedding? Rabbi Silverman has presided over hundreds of weddings and bar mitzvahs. He is often asked about what it takes to have the perfect wedding and the answer is: “It depends on what the couple wants.”
In a recent discussion, Rabbi Silverman outlined his favorite points about what couples should consider before undertaking to look for i a wedding officiant. We list them here:
1. Choose As a Couple
Both parties should be involved in the decision and it should not come down to one person’s preference over another’s.
2. What Matters Most to You?
Articulate what you want in your wedding? Is it tradition? Do you want to use a family Rabbi or Priest? Do you want someone new and more tolerant or more exciting? Answering these questions will help you make the right decision in a wedding officiant.
3. Where Are You Getting Married?
This may seem obvious but thinking about the location of the wedding will play a big part in choosing the right officiant. Why import a Rabbi from New Jersey if the wedding is in Miami? Speak with your family, friends and local community to learn more about officiants in another city or town.
4. What About Interfaith Weddings?
If you are having an interfaith wedding there is no reason not to have a member of each religion officiate at the wedding ceremony. This can be a soothing and acceptable compromise for people from different faiths.
5. How Involved Do You Want the Officiant to Be?
Your wedding officiant can write your vows or help you write them. He can also suggest you write your own and work with those. There are many options and these are considerations to be decided by the couple, preferably before seeking an officiant.
