Many couples today are opting to have a friend officiate their wedding instead of a traditional clergy member. While there are some pros to this option, couples need to weigh all the factors before making a decision. Ultimately, it is up to the couple to decide what is best for them and their wedding day.

Top 3 Pros of Having a Friend Officiate Your Wedding

1. It’s Intimate - Having a friend officiate your wedding can make the ceremony feel more intimate. Rather than having someone who you don’t know stand up in front of your guests and read from a script, you can have someone who knows you both personally share a special message that is tailored just for you. This can make your ceremony more personal and unique.

2. It’s Affordable - When you have a friend officiate your wedding, it can be more affordable than using a traditional clergy member. Traditional officiants usually charge for their services, whereas most friends will do it as more of a gift. If money is tight or you’re trying to stick to a smaller budget, having a friend officiate can help save you some money.

3. It Adds Sentimentality - Another advantage of having someone close to you officiate your wedding is that it can add sentimentality to the ceremony. Knowing that someone who cares about you is taking the time to officiate your wedding can be very special. This person will already have built-in sentimental value which can make your ceremony even more meaningful.

Top 3 Cons of Having A Friend Officiate Your Wedding

1. It Can Be Awkward - Although it is not always the case, there is potential for things to get awkward if you have a friend officiate your wedding. If things start to get too personal or if there are any uncomfortable silences, it can put a damper on things. That’s why it’s important to choose someone who you are comfortable with and who you know will be able to handle things professionally if needed.

2. There Is No Back-Up Plan - If something happens and your friend is suddenly unable to officiate your wedding, you will be left scrambling to find someone else at the last minute which can add unnecessary stress during an already chaotic time. Whereas if you went with a traditional clergy member, they usually have back-ups in place in case of an emergency.

3. You May Not Be Taken Seriously - In some cases, having a friend officiate your wedding may not be taken as seriously as if you had chosen someone with credentials such as a clergy member or justice of the peace. If this is something that concerns you, then you may want to consider another option besides having a friend officiate your big day.

There are pros and cons to having a friend officiate your wedding instead of going with a traditional clergy member or justice of the peace. Ultimately, it is up to the couple getting married to decide what is best for them and their wedding day vision!

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