All Weddings Are Threatened By The Wedding Killers Below:
The Venue
The Caterer
The Officiant
The DJ
The Photographer/Videographer
The Wedding Planner
Chances are you've heard of these wedding killers. Or worse, witnessed these slashers live at a family member or friend's wedding.
The good news is, virtually every wedding can eliminate their threat with these JMAN Productions tips & callouts.
Read on to understand the threat, so you can hire against it.
The Officiant | Killer #3
No Show, Their Prayer - Not Yours, Doesn't Communicate Their Specific Sound Needs, Not Ordained/Licensed
No Show
This can be for all vendors, really.
Check their reviews for any No-show reviews. This is an easy one to spot.
Their Prayer - Not Yours/You Get What You (Don't) Pay For.
True Story Time:
Officiant for a couple agreed to marry in exchange for food. The Bride & Groom had a prayer written for the officiant to read. The officiant Refused. It was going to be the Officiant's prayer - or nothing. And the Officiant, 45 minutes before the ceremony, canceled. The fumble was recovered! A happy ending was had: The MOH didn't just read the prayer - she saved the ceremony (and the legal part had to happen later). Again, true story. And the pro-bono officiant that walked away, with no skin/contract/deposit in the game? Almost ruined it. You get what you (don't) pay for.
Doesn't Communicate Specific Sound Needs
Some officiants offer their own PA, mic, mic stand, lapel mic, bible stand, etc. And this varies by location around the country.
Officiant requirements vary wildly across the country. In California, they are often expected to bring their own PA system. In Wisconsin, where I grew up, an Officiant might not have a sound system at all, even if the ceremony is at a park miles away from the reception ballroom.
In Idaho, the Officiant almost always relies on the DJ for sound. However, budget DJs are rarely equipped to handle specialized ceremony needs. Most Officiants simply assume the DJ will provide the lapel microphones, outdoor wind-shields, and dedicated ceremony speakers. When you hire JMAN Productions, you are hiring a high-end experience professional with over $1,500 in specialized ceremony audio infrastructure. By booking a high-end audio professional, you ensure your Officiant has exactly what they need to perform your ceremony, and that your guests actually hear your vows.
Not Ordained/Licensed
Do you have proof of their ordination/licensure?
Simple as: Your marriage isn't valid if your Officiant is not ordained or licensed. The saying in the data infrastructure industry (my day-job) is: Trust but verify.