Choosing an Officiant That is Right For You

It is very important to find your officiant early, they are an invaluable resource in planning your ceremony and in answering any questions you might have. In choosing this person, you will want to be sure that he or she is not only willing but able to reflect accurately what you want your ceremony to convey. You will want to find someone who can reflect the quality of your love and speak meaningfully to you and your partner. Think about the following questions:

1. Does the officiant reflect or embody the spirit you want to create at your wedding?

2. Do you feel comfortable with him or her? Will you be able to express your preferences about content; speak up about matters of concern in the preparation of the ceremony; voice objections you might have or ask for silly, even seemingly trivial things to be included in the ceremony?

3. Will the officiant show you a finished ceremony in a format that is best for you (via email or fax)?  And will the officiant change the ceremony upon your request?

4. Do you like the sound of his or her voice?

5. Do you have a connection with the officiant that allows you to trust that what he or she will say will be appropriate for the two of you? A person that has a sense of you and understands the uniqueness of your relationship?

6. Above all, will you value what this person has to say? Will he or she have delightful, meaningful, moving reflections that will elevate the ceremony from ordinary, generic, and formal to personal, beautiful and unforgettable?

7. Last but not least, relax in choosing an officiant. When you are all together, having a consultation, discussing how you celebrate your love and the type of ceremony that you have envisioned, you will know if that minister/officiant is the right one for the two of you. Something will click and there will be a connection.

So, how does finding and hiring the right officiant with Hudson Valley Ceremonies work? Here’s how:

  • First we have you set up a phone, Facetime or skype consultation with the officiant of your choice or one that has been chosen for you. You can see our officiants Bio’s here.
  • The officiant will ask you many questions about you and your fiance and what you most want for your ceremony.
  • Please ask them as many questions as you want, they are very happy to answer and assist.
  • If you wish to speak to another officiant we can set that up also.Finally you will choose the officiant that you have the best connection with and then choose a package.

Please check out our reviews, Hudson Valley Ceremonies has the best officiants in the valley!

Wedding Wire

The Knot

 

Mollie and Sean, Diamond Mills

Mollie and Sean

Diamond Mills

June 23, 2018

 

Wedding Location: Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern in Saugerties, NY
Ceremony Officiant: Lawrence McCauley, Hudson Valley Ceremonies
Photographer & Videographer: Secret Fire Media
DJ/BandPlatinum Party Events (no longer in NY)
Musicians: Andrea Shaut — ceremony and cocktail hour piano
Limos/Buses: none
Florist: The Colonial Flower Shop, New Paltz NY
Coordinator/Planner: Bethany Boyce at Diamond Mills
Bridal Attire: David’s Bridal
Men’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Rings/Jewelry: Bride’s rings from Yeraz Collection on Etsy, Bride’s earrings from Pandora, Groom’s ring from Chalmer’s Jewelers in Middleton, WI
Hair/Makeup: Primp and Glow — Caitlyn Rauh
Invitations: David’s Bridal
Favors: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital

 

Elaina and Vincent, A Private Estate

Elaina and Vincent

A Private Estate (Northwood)

May 12, 2018

Planner:  Jeanne Stark, Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Venue:  A Private Estate, Germantown, NY

Photographer:  Brian from DelConte Photography

Caterer:  Hickory BBQ

Rentals:  Columbia Tent Rentals, Stone Industries, Hudson Valley Party Rental and W&B Golf Carts

DJ:  Superfly Sounds

Hair and Makeup:  Kat at One on One Salon, Rhinebeck

Officiant:  Lawrence McCauley, Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Shuttle:  Arthur F. Mulligan

Florals:  Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Dayna and Kevin, Basilica Hudson

Dayna and Kevin

Basilica Hudson, Hudson NY

March 31, 2018

 

Planner:  Jeanne Stark, Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Venue:  Basilica Hudson

Photographer:  Jessie Casey Photography

Caterer:  Victoria’s Wood Fired Pizza

DJ:  DJ Freddie

Rentals:  Columbia Tent Rentals

Videographer:  Ben Pliss Media

Officiant:  Stuart Chernoff, Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Florist:  Catskill Florist and Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Cake:  Hudson Valley Dessert Company

 

Marie and Austin, Basilica Hudson

March 11, 2017

Planner:  Jeanne Stark, Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Venue:  Basilica Hudson

Photographer:  Rachel Crittenden Photography

Caterer:  Blue Plate

Rentals:  Events Unlimited and Aladdin Tent Rental and Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Floral Design:  Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Officiant:  Rev. Stuart Chernoff, Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Wedding Dress:  True North Bridal

Hair:  Spalon Hudson

Makeup:  FACE, Hudson

Cake:  Calico

 

 

Neeta and Jason, Glen Island Harbour Club

 

August 27, 2017

Wedding Planner:  Sandra O’Connell, Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Venue:  Glen Island Harbour Club

Photographer:  Alex Kaplan

Florist:  Arcadia Florist

DJ:  Sound Active Events

Transportation:  Connecticut Limo and First Student Bus

Officiant:  Rev. Stuart Chernoff, Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Accommodations:  Stamford Marriott

 

Britton and Adi, Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa

July 22, 2017

Wedding Planner:  Jeanne Stark, Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Venue:  Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa

Photographer:  Sean Gallery Photography

DJ:  Rob Kelly at 74 Events

Florist: Hudson Valley Floral

Rentals:  Events Unlimited Party Rentals

Vintage Rentals:  Hudson Valley Vintage Rental

Officiant:  Rev. Stuart Chernoff, Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Hair:  Hair by Brittany

Makeup:  Makeup by Kristen Bacino

Videography:  With This Ring

Cake:  Village Tea Room

Photo Booth:  Magbooth

Ceremony & Cocktail Musicians:  New York Ceremony Music

Celeste and Marc, The Garrison

June 11, 2017

Planner:  Lauren Brown, Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Venue/Caterer: The Garrison 
Photographer: Chris Gifford, Weddings by Two
Florist: Flowers By April
Officiant: Rev. Debra Romano, Hudson Valley Ceremonies
Music: Addison Frei Trio 
Makeup: Savor Spa
Transportation: George Carroll Transportation

Brittany and Andrei at Locust Grove

Brittany and Andrei

Locust Grove, Poughkeepsie NY

June 25, 2016

Ceremony Officiant: Rev Elizabeth Roth, Renee Cyr (friend of the couple)
Photographer: Peter Demuth Photography
Catering: Lola’s Cafe
Cake: Jenn Hines (Blissful Bites)
DJ/Band: Jimmy Lutz (Lutz Entertainment)
Florist: Heather Lundy (A Night in Bloom)
Bridal Attire: Bridal by Demetrios
Men’s Attire: Jack Victor
Rings/Jewelry: Point No Point Studio (groom’s ring), Macy’s (bride’s ring)
Hair/Makeup: Dutchess County Hairstylist
Invitations: Magnet Street   Favors: Lovingly planted and nurtured by the mother-of-the-bride
 
Advice to other couples:
-Take your time with the planning and be good to each other during it, even when stress-producing issues arise. 
-Determine your budget and how you’ll be financing your wedding (and your new life together!) at the very beginning.
-Listen to hear, not to react, and always remember to show your partner love and respect.
-Take five minutes after the ceremony to be alone with one another to simply enjoy where you are.

Candice and Jeremy Atkins, Locust Grove

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Your new married names – Candice and Jeremy Atkins
Wedding LocationLocust Grove – Poughkeepsie, NY
Ceremony OfficiantRev Stuart – Friend Officiates Package
DJ/BandDJ Domenic
FloristAdams Fairacre Farms – Wappingers Falls, NY
Caterer – Lola’s Cafe

Wedding Decor Rentals:  Hudson Valley Ceremonies
Bridal Attire  – David’s Bridal
Men’s AttireJC Penny’s
Rings/JewelryLittmans Jewlers
Invitations/Favors – Invitations, WeddingPaperDivas.com; Favors, Gertrude Hawk

Advice:
– My husband and I looked through so many options when we were first planning and we found that it was really easy to want to be impulsive and to want to go with our first choice but this rarely worked out for us. Our biggest piece of advice would be to take your time and to not just go with your first choice but look around and pick what is right for you.
– Choose vendors based on how they work together. All of our vendors knew each other and worked seamlessly together – we barely had to do anything!!
– Also remember to not stress over the small details and save money where you can. No one knew I had a cheap dress, or that we rented our decorations for a crazy cheap price, or that we assembled our own centerpieces – they had a terrific time because we invested our budget where it counted (food, music, venue) and didn’t no or care about many of the smaller details (but we saved a ton!).
– Enjoy your wedding, it will be over before you know it.

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