Contact

Questions about BEING A FIRST-TIME WEDDING officiatiANT?

I’d love to hear from you. Contact me anytime at gary@weddingofficiantbook.com

Media inquiries

Email: info@weddingofficiantbook.com

Speaking inquiries

info@weddingofficiantbook.com

Testimonials

Had a great amateur officiating experience? Tell us about it!

WHY I STARTED THIS SITE

Hi! I’m the author of "First-Time Wedding Officiant" eBook. I’ve done a bunch of weddings for friends and family and I love helping new officiants with things like the creative officiant process, learning to overcome anxiety, how to deliver a great ceremony, and spreading the word about what an awesome experience being a wedding officiant for friends & family can be!

In 2009 two friends, completely out of the blue, asked me to be the amateur officiant for their wedding. Without giving it much thought, I replied, “yes, of course!” 

Shortly after I agreed, I began to think about delivering on what I had promised them. What would I say? What is the format of an amateur ceremony? How do I get ordained? How do I overcome my paralyzing fear of public speaking? Who am I to be such an integral part of a life-changing event for two people I care about? Are amateurly officiated weddings even legal in this state?!?!?

I quickly turned to the internet in hopes of having my questions answered and my fears calmed.  Much to my dismay, the internet provided no information on how to write, rehearse, and perform a ceremony as an first-time wedding officiant.

I was on my own, and that first ceremony showed it.  I cringe when I go back and watch the tape. My writing was wandering, irrelevant, fast, emotionless, my interaction with the audience was non-existent, and it was visibly obvious that I was so nervous that I was about to lose consciousness.

Despite my self graded C- performance; the audience really seemed to enjoy the ceremony. In fact, I was asked to perform another shortly after, and another, and another, and another. Therein lies the secret. Friend & family officiants are so unique, so novel, and so interesting that you don’t need to deliver a perfect performance to wow the crowd and make the bride and groom happy. If you simply follow a few rules and guidelines regarding writing, preparation, rehearsing, and delivery, you will KNOCK IT OUT OF THE PARK! "The First-Time Wedding Officiant" eBook walks you step by step through the writing, rehearsing, and performing process. You CAN do this!

These experiences, along with attending some other mistake laden performances by other first time amateurs, inspired me to create a community where terrified first timers could get some help and support.  I wish it existed in 2009!

Welcome to WeddingOfficiantBook.com, have a great ceremony!
Gary Hoppe
Author & Amateur Officiant