Journal
How to Find the Right Person to Officiate Your Wedding
Choosing who will stand with you, guide your ceremony, and pronounce you married is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your wedding day. At Arches Beach Weddings, we’ve seen ceremonies led by everyone from lifelong friends to professional celebrants, and each one has felt deeply personal in its own way.
Whether you’re planning a simple legal ceremony, a heartfelt bespoke service, or something a little unconventional, here’s our guide to finding the right officiant for you.
Decide on the Type of Ceremony You Want
Before you start looking for an officiant, get clear on what kind of ceremony you’re imagining.
- Civil Ceremony: A registrar-led ceremony with the legal elements covered, often short and formal. You need Devon Registrars, but you can choose ‘who’.
- Celebrant-Led Ceremony: Highly personalised, with stories, readings, and symbolic rituals — but you will need to handle the legal signing separately.
- Friend or Family Member: Someone close to you who becomes registered or licensed to perform your ceremony. You would need to take care of the legals separately, but this is one way that you can make your public ceremony ‘yours’.
Knowing the format you want will instantly narrow your search.
Think About Your Venue’s Atmosphere
At Arches, our seaside location naturally brings a relaxed, intimate vibe, so you may want someone who can lean into that warmth. That might not be the case for you, but if it is, picture a celebrant who’s happy to pause mid-vows for the sound of waves or seabirds. Maybe even a friend who can tell your story in a way that has everyone laughing one moment and tearing up the next… It’s all about finding someone who not only suits you, but also the wedding you want to have.
Match your officiant’s style to the energy you want for your day.
Look for Personal Connection
You’ll spend some of your most emotional moments of the day with your officiant right beside you. Choose someone you feel comfortable with, who:
- Listens to your ideas without judgment
- Understands your personalities and relationships
- Can adapt to unexpected moments (especially with the great British seaside weather!)
When meeting potential officiants, ask questions! Don’t worry about being too fussy or asking too many questions; it’s your day, not theirs. Most officiants will want to make sure you’re happy, comfortable, and excited about choosing them for your ceremony. Their answers will give you a feel for their experience and flexibility. Here are a couple of core questions that may help you get a good idea of who you’re talking to.
- How many weddings have you officiated?
- How do you tailor a ceremony to a couple?
- What’s your approach if something unexpected happens?
- Can we see a sample script or ceremony outline?
If you’re going for a standard registrar, that is fine, but that may make this section a little less relevant to you. But as always, it’s always good to hear about all your options before you make your decisions.
Consider the Practicalities
On the day, you’re going to be busy thinking about lots of things and getting excited – maybe even battling those normal last-minute nerves. So try to make sure your logistics are worked out well in advance so that’s one less thing to worry about on the day. When you’re choosing your officiant, think about:
- Legalities: Will they handle the paperwork, or will you need to arrange a separate legal ceremony?
- Travel: Are they happy to officiate at our North Devon coastal location?
- Timing: Will they be available for rehearsals or run-throughs?
Most Important of All… Trust Your Instincts
Sometimes you just know. If you meet someone and immediately feel at ease, they make you laugh, or they “get” your vision without much explanation, that’s a good sign they’re the right fit. If they don’t, then that probably gives you a clear answer too. It’s not personal; it just means they’re not the right officiant for you.
Bonus Tip: Make it personal! If you’re having a celebrant-led ceremony at Arches, you can weave in touches that make the moment truly yours, like a sand blending ritual with shells from the beach, or writing vows while looking out at the sea the night before. Whatever takes your fancy.
Your Ceremony, Your Day, Your Way
Your officiant sets the tone for your wedding, so take the time to find someone who feels like an extension of you… That’s something we can’t stress enough. Whether they’re a professional, a friend, or someone you’ve just met who feels right, they’ll help create a ceremony that you’ll remember for the rest of your lives.
If you’d like recommendations for trusted local celebrants who have officiated here at Arches Beach Weddings, just ask our Wedding Whisperer, Nina, because we’re always happy to share our favourites.
Looking for a beachside wedding venue? Book Arches now.
