Hiring a Priest for Your Interfaith Wedding

Priests are generally held to specific standards when marrying a couple. If the couple does not meet those standards a Priest is unable to perform the ceremony. In cases where a couple is unable to have a Priest marry them and they are unable to marry in a Catholic church, they may want to consider having a Christian Minister or Pastor perform the ceremony. If the couple does meet the criteria set by the Catholic Church they may decide to hire a Priest to perform or co-officiate the wedding ceremony.

When hiring a Priest it is important for the couple to decide what Catholic traditions they want incorporated into the ceremony and where they want the ceremony held. Some Priests will only perform traditional ceremonies inside a Catholic Church. If this is not exactly what the couple desires they must find a Priest willing to incorporate the traditions important to the couple.

Finding A Priest That Works For You.
The bride and groom need to take into consideration what Catholic traditions they want incorporated into their ceremony. They also need to decide if they want to be wed inside a Catholic church or at a different location. When these decisions have been made as a couple you can discuss this with extended family to get recommendations regarding finding a Priest.

There are many Catholic religious affiliations that can assist a couple in locating and hiring a Priest. There are also several search engines available on the Internet that are able to provide information regarding finding an officiant for your wedding.

When the couple has narrowed down the search it is important to interview the potential Priest's to determine which one best meets the desires and needs of the bride and groom. The bride and groom should take a list of wishes with them when interviewing Priests. This will help you both decide if the Priest being interviewed is able to incorporate the traditions you want in your wedding.

When A Priest Has Been Hired.
When a Priest is chosen and hired you will most likely be asked to make a deposit to reserve the services of the Priest for a specific date and time. Once this has been done the couple, the Priest, and possibly the parents of the bride and groom will discuss in great detail the desires for the ceremony. Specific plans will then be made regarding exactly what will happen at the ceremony and what Catholic traditions will be incorporated. The Priest may recommend premarital counseling and a rehearsal ceremony before the actual ceremony takes place. These recommendations are both highly beneficial in preparing a couple for what to expect during the ceremony and during your life together.