Officiating for a Friend...What Do I Buy?

Welcome to the officiating club! As ceremonious as it was to receive your certification after five minutes of online research and volunteering your credit card information in exchange for credentials (read: sarcasm), there’s a bit more to officiating than simply securing the legal right to perform the ceremony. As seasoned and experienced officiants, we often get asked for a shopping list of items that a new officiant will need when performing a ceremony for friends or family. So without further ado, we offer you a curated list of officiating essentials.

FOR ALL CEREMONIES.

Gallery leather presentation binder: 

We realize we are encouraging you to spend more on a binder than you did on your credentials, and here is why: Presentation binders will save you a whole lot of awkwardness. The outside cover and page protectors are waterproof, protecting you for all manner of inclement weather and the damage they could cause to your carefully chosen words. This binder comes with page inserts that help weight the pages, making it easier to turn the page with a single hand and keep the pages turned in the event of wind. The outside presentation comes in a few different, solid colors (we recommend black) so as to not distract during the ceremony or in the photos being captured for posterity.

Comfortable walking dress shoes: 

The worst is being worried about your feet while officiating. To avoid anxiety about stumbling down the aisle, or locking your knees and passing out during the ceremony, wear comfortable dress shoes with supportive inserts. The goal of an officiant’s appearance is to generally be neutral looking. We promise that no one is scrutinizing your footwear decisions. Better to play it safe than sorry.

Clear bubble umbrella: 

If we had a dollar every time a couple asked, “But what if it rains?” Our advice? Be prepared for anything! We always keep a set of umbrellas in the trunk of our car -- one for the officiant and two for the couple -- so that the ceremony may proceed, come rain or shine! A see-through umbrella like the one we linked here ensures that any epic backdrop behind you can be seen in wet weather. We like the bubble shape from Totes because it has a large dome and longer sides for better rain coverage. 

Images courtesy of Beginning and End Photo.

An outfit with pockets: 

Why so many pockets? An officiant is in charge of a lot of things. We recommend having three to four significant pockets included in your outfit, which can come in the form of a dress or jumpsuit and jacket, suit pants and suit jacket, or any other combination that fits the dress code for the occasion. If a videographer is recording the ceremony, they will need to pin a wireless mic on your lapel or top and place the recording/radio device in one of your pockets. Some videographers work with a backup recording device that goes into another pocket of your outfit. For either of these devices, you will want a pocket that can hold something equivalent to an old school brick cell phone without weighing you down or adding too much bulk. You may also need pockets to hold on to the rings and ring boxes for the bride and groom, the couple’s vows, or ceremony ritual materials. 

Kleenex packs that fit in your pocket: 

Tears will happen, especially for the party you would least expect it from. Having disposable tissues to hand out to the couple during the ceremony is a lovely care taking measure you can offer (especially with all those pockets to hold them!).

— Kate, Tapestry Creative Director + Founder