CHOOSING A MARRIAGE OFFICER The relationship between you and the Marriage Minister is very important. It’s important to consider who you choose to marry you …. You’ve got to feel comfortable with him/her. Here are 7 important points to consider. 1. Make sure he/she can legally marry you Only a Home Affairs registered and approved Marriage Officer is allowed to marry you in South Africa, ask to see his/her appointment letter. (If you’d like a friend or loved one to administer some sort of Ceremony, think about getting married legally first and let them conduct the ceremony on your wedding day, as there are legal complications as far as the “Declaration as a Husband and Wife” is concerned as well as other legal matters.) 2. Booking Be sure to book an Officiant at least 18 months in advance and schedule the first of 2 meetings at least six months before your wedding, and ensure he/she has all your legally required documents in his/her possession at the first meeting as the final meeting 4 days prior to the wedding date he/she will collect your passport type photos and fingerprints for the Marriage Register. Check how many bookings he/she has for that day and that there is enough time for him/her to get to your wedding on time. 3. What to Ask Feel free to ask your Officiant important questions, like what their approach to the service and ceremony is? For example, do they conduct a speech or a sermon, and does the couple have input on the subject? If you’d like to add your own personal touches or input from yourselves such as writing your own vows, ask the Officiant for advice, some of them have done hundreds of weddings. Will he/she be happy with your choice of readings by a friend; will it be a religious ceremony full of bible verses and preaching? Double check that they’re ok with guests sharing heartfelt readings. Could he/she be humorous, fun with a good balance between emotion, romance and importance? After all, you don’t want a funeral. 4. What to look for Does he/she have the Official Marriage Register and Marriage Certificate book available for you to see? Does he/she have a list of what legal documents you must present him/her with? Is he/she on Facebook? If so check his/her popularity. Does he/she have a website? Can he/she present you with proof/reviews of what other couples have said about him/her? 5. Listen to his/her wedding Ceremony outlay Does he/she allow for any input from you? Does it sound like he/she knows what they’re talking about? Ask for a Wedding Ceremony outlay so you could discuss it with him/her, there and then. Never shy away from this “It is your wedding and he/she must perform it your way”. 6. Now ask your other Wedding Suppliers Have they ever heard of him/her? Are there any negatives worthy of noting? Most of the well-known and popular Wedding Suppliers know each other very well. Never miss an opportunity to ask your Wedding Coordinator or Events planner’s opinion, they know the best of the best. 7. Ask your Minister …. Does he/ she have a scrap book with all his/her favourite Wedding memories and Wedding moments? This is a very important question to determine how passionate or proud he/she is, how serious he/she is. It is a simple question but answers a great deal.
Posted on: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 12:26:09 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015