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When I first got engaged, Mr. Argyle and I both decided that we wanted to ask a friend or family member to officiate our ceremony. From the start, I had my heart set on the Jewel Box in Forest Park for our ceremony (which is where our ceremony will take place), so it was a matter of finding someone to officiate. We had toyed around with the idea of hiring someone, but after some thought, we just weren’t in to it.
So, we forgot about it for a while, until it came up in discussion a few months ago. I suggested that we ask my mom’s sister, my Aunt Kat, to officiate our wedding. It would involve her getting ordained. And, before asking her, I searched around the internet about getting ordained online, just to see how easy it would be (and in the process, got ordained myself).
The question then, became when we would ask her. I wasn’t game for asking her online or the phone (she lives in Albuquerque, NM), and was hoping she would be in town soon.
Much to my surprise, she was made a trip up back in mid-September. And, with that in mind, I had planned on meeting my parents, my Aunt Kat and my cousin for dinner one night while she was in town. So, over Italian food and a good glass of red wine, I asked my Aunt to officiate our wedding, and she willingly accepted the offer. Both she and I were nearly in tears, because I can’t imagine having anyone else handle our ceremony.
Mom Argyle, me and my Aunt Kat
Who did you have officiate your ceremony? Was it someone close to you?
My fiance officiated for his sister’s wedding and it was beautiful! Much of the groom’s family didn’t know about it, so it was a nice surprise and he did a great job! It’s a really great way to make the ceremony personal.
My fiance’s dad is a pastor and will be officiating for us. I’m excited!
i love seeing weddings where the officiant has a close tie to the couple. i hope to have my pastor officiate since i’ve known him for more than half my life!
When my sister was due to get married two years ago they still hadn’t found someone they clicked with to marry them. I had the perfect person, a man who reminds me of my loving Grandpa 
I had worked with this guy for four years and he was a volunteer chaplain who was able to do ceremonies. My sister and her DH were pleased a punch to have him at their wedding day and at their reception he mentioned he would hope he got to conduct my ceremony when the time came. Little did I know that two months later I would meet my future-hubby-to-be! So of course we are having a little reunion with everyone basically and I can’t wait! The day will be so special
Aw, that’s really sweet! I love that it will be that much more meaningful.
My fiance and I had been entertaining the idea of asking one of our friends to officiate our wedding. We thought it would be more special to have someone we knew marry us. So 1 night we casually asked one of our friends but we were all a lil tipsy after dinner. Although he never said “no,” we haven’t brought it up since. Yikes!
FMIL’s best friend is officiating–both my fiance and I are very close to her, and she’s officiated a wedding before! We asked her while celebrating our engagement over a glass of Bailey’s–it just about came out her nose when we asked!
I hired an officiant for my wedding, but wish I had thought about having a family member or close friend get ordained and officiate for us!
Your wedding will have a lovely personal touch!
My uncle is a officiating my wedding. He’s a methodist minister and him officiating is the only dream wedding detail I had pegged from the time I was a little Twista.
My uncle is officiating our wedding, we got him ordained and are almost done with the ceremony.. YAY. He is my uncle but we are only 10 yrs apart and I love him to death! no one knows expect our parents, it will be such a surprise!
I have two people officiating my wedding… interesting story, really!
One is a wonderful woman I used to work with- she has been through so much in her life, has battled breast cancer and had a similar relationship with her father and therefore totally understands MY slightly shaky relationship with MY father. She is a very warm, caring lady who has a wonderfully nurturing relationship with her wife- I greatly respect her outlook on life.
But she’s not ordained.
So, she said she would talk to her friend who pastors a church up in Washington who has done “joint ceremonies” in the past.
It’s a go! They are both excited about it, and it’s one of my favorite things about the wedding planning so far… I’m SUPER excited that the ceremony will be meaningful and unique!
hehe… I think we’re going to try to have 7 people officiate the wedding.
Sounds crazy, I know… and it may not work. I am set against having bridesmaids and I don’t have sisters or childhood friends who I would pick… meanwhile my fiance has several brothers and is still best friends with who he went to kindgergarten with… so we had to come up with a way to include people without making them attendants.
POOF! What if we officate them, and they each do a part of the ceremony? A welcome, some vows, a handfasting, the rings, a message, a wrap-up, and we’re off!
My family is pretty shocked about it, and my mom, who is usually a delight, is offended by it. She hasn’t said it, but has repeatedly asked, “what about all the people you’re going to offend?” so we’ll see. She says it’s a mockery … I am having trouble seeing that side. Can anyone lighten that up for me?
so sweet! we’re having a friend officiate–it’s so nice to have someone you know and love officiating!
What websites did you use to get ordained? We’re also planning on having a family member marry us, but haven’t gone through the whole process yet…
@KBSept2011: What a sweet surprise!
@Curlysue: That’s awesome and so personal!
@sapphirebride: I hope that was a good thing!
@teeleaf22: That’s really sweet and a great surprise!
@Kaybeewills: I love your use of creativity!
@jmax: That’s quite a bit! But, I say do what you and your FI want to do. I honestly don’t think it would offend anyone.
@Danielle: There are two sites: http://www.themonastery.org/ and http://www.spiritualhumanism.org/ You will need to check with your state to see if it recognizes either as a legal ordination. I’m ordained in both (why not, right?). Both are free, though!
I love the idea of having a friend or family member officiate!!
My fiance’s uncle is a priest. That was an easy - and very welcome - decision made! It is so nice to have someone who knows us both and is very special to us both officiate the ceremony. A built-in priest in the family is a pretty sweet deal!
We’re asking Mr. Lace’s pastor since he was like a dad to him growing up. I love that you have a family member officiating.
My Fi and I went to high school together. Our guidance counselor is actually marrying us. He’s become one of our good friends. I think it is completely adorable that he’s “guiding” us through our wedding.
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Mrs. Argyle, St. Louis Age and Occupation: 24, Project Coordinator Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Pilot Engagement Date: February 15, 2009 Wedding Date: September 2010 Venue: Jewel Box in Forest Park and Windows on Washington About Me: I'm a true Midwestern girl (born and raised), lover of red wine, reality TV and the entire J.Crew catalog. I love to dance regardless of who is watching, and enjoy a good laugh with my girls. I have a soft spot in my heart for planet Earth, my two dogs and my fiance. Fall is my favorite season (which is why we are marrying in September), but I love a warm summer day and the Colorado mountains in the winter. We are planning a modern soiree downtown, with lots of bold colors, and fun, eco-friendly elements.
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