You Can Be a Successful Officiant

By Vlady Peters

Ever watched an Officiant in action and thought ‘I’d like to that’?

Or are you already an Officiant who’s not as busy as you’d expected or like to be?

Well, here’s a book to show you what is involved in being an Officiant, and how you can improve the Officiant business you already have.

Helpful for the Marriage Officiant, it is also designed for the Civil Officiant.

The former needs to be legally appointed, the latter needs only the skill and talent.

‘You Can Be a Successful Officiant’ is directed at both.

Among other topics it includes
Talents and skills you need to have or need to acquire to be a Successful Officiant
Finding clients
Communicating with clients the right way
Starting up an Officiant Business
Setting and getting the fees
Compile and conducting the ceremonies

Experienced or inexperienced, Marriage Officiant who conducts legal weddings, or Civil Officiant who is more interested in Funerals, Naming Ceremonies, Renewal of Wedding Vows or the myriad of milestones that people celebrate, this book is for you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vlady Peters
• Release date: Jun 7, 2015
• ISBN: 9780987322159

Vlady Peters

Planning a Wedding Ceremony? Vows Renewal? Baby Naming?Budgeting for your Honeymoon Travel or the decorations for your Wedding Day?Looking for Wedding Vows that will exactly express what you feel?Have you been asked to officiate at a Vows Renewal Ceremony for a family member, or a Baby Naming Ceremony for a friend?Whatever the occasion and wherever it is to take place, whether it’s simple or formal, money no object or need to keep the ceremony budget in mind, you will find everything you’re looking for in this author’s books.Whether you want a traditional Wedding Ceremony or looking forward to creating a Wedding Ceremony all your own, whether you intend to have a Wedding Reception at home or leaving all the details to a professional Wedding Planner, whether you intend to spend your Honeymoon just up the road from where you live, or travel miles into the exotic world, you’ve come to the right place to learn how to plan that special event.

Book preview

You Can Be a Successful Officiant

by V M Peters

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Disclaimer

This book was written as a guide only and does not claim to be the final definitive word on any of the subjects covered. The statements made and opinions expressed are the personal observations and assessments of the author based on her own experiences and were not intended to prejudice any party. There may be errors or omissions in this guide. As such, the author or publisher does not accept any liability or responsibility for any loss or damage that may have been caused, or alleged to have been caused, through the use of the information contained in this book.

You can be a Successful Officiant

by

V M Peters

Copyright 2015 V M Peters

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

ISBN: 978-0-9873221-5-9

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Books by V M. Peters published by Smashwords:

Love and Romance Book

1. Californian Poppy: A Love Story

Self-help Books

1. 1,000+ Answers to Your Wedding Questions

2. Wedding Your Way

3. Honeymoon! A Sizzle or a Fizzle: Prepare Mentally, Physically and Emotionally for the Best Time of Your Life

4. Celebrating Love’s Special Moments

5. How to be a Profitable Celebrant: Practical Tips on Running a Profitable Celebrancy Business

6. You can be a Successful Officiant

7. Wedding Words: Perfect Words for Your Wedding Ceremony

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List of Contents

Part One - The Officiant

Part Two – The Officiant and the Client

Part Three - Communication

Part Four - Officiant Business

Part Five - Fees

Part Six - Getting Yourself Known as an Officiant

Part Seven - Money Matters

Part Eight - Appointments

Part Nine - The Ceremony

Part Ten - Learning Your Trade

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You Can be a Successful Officiant

Easy Steps for Success

Part One - The Officiant

No. 1. Is being an Officiant the right profession for you?

1.. Are you thinking of becoming and Officiant because it’s easy?

2.. You have to do something and you think you might as well be an Officiant as anything else?

3.. Do you know someone who is an Officiant and you think if he or she can do it, anyone can do it?

4.. Do you understand what is involved in being an Officiant?

5.. Do you understand what talent and skill you need to be an Officiant?

6.. Do you have the interest and enthusiasm to be an Officiant?

7.. Are you thinking of becoming a part-time or a full time Officiant?

8.. Are you thinking of giving up the job you have in order to become an Officiant?

9.. Do you want to become an Officiant as something you can do in your retirement?

No. 2. What is an Officiant?

1.. An Officiant is like the conductor of an orchestra, the compere at a fashion show, the DJ at a disco club, the MC at a wedding reception.

2.. Whenever people choose to celebrate a special event in their lives, there is a good chance that there will be one person weaving the various segments of the event together.

3.. Call them Officiants, or call them a compere, they help to direct the event, maximize its importance, and dramatize its impact.

4.. You can be an authorized Marriage Officiant who conducts legal marriage ceremonies according to the laws of their state or country.

5.. You can also be a lay person who conducts social ceremonies which require no legal authorization just talent and skill.

No. 3. What Kind of Officiants are there?

1.. The best-known Officiant is the Wedding Officiant who conducts legal marriage ceremonies.

2.. The Wedding Officiant can be a Religious Officiant ordained by a particular religious denomination or a Secular Officiant legally appointed to conduct marriages.

3.. Broadly speaking, Officiants ordained by a particular religion are known as Religious Officiants while the Secular Officiants are known as Civil Officiants.

4.. While the religious Officiants might be Ministers of religion, the civil Officiants might be judges, court clerks and justices of the peace.

5.. The religious Officiant is ordained and authorized to perform marriages by a religious organization while a Civil Officiant is someone who is legally authorized to perform legal marriages by a state or local government without the need for a religious affiliation.

6.. The system of authorization of Officiants might differ from country to country, and, in some countries from state to state.

No. 4. What Ceremonies can an Officiant conduct?

1.. The best-known ceremony conducted is the wedding ceremony.

2.. To conduct a wedding ceremony you must be an authorized Marriage Officiant.

3.. An authorized Marriage Officiant can also conduct other ceremonies not requiring legal authorization.

4.. Any person with the skill and talent can conduct a variety of ceremonies not requiring legal authorization.

5.. Popular ceremonies which can be conducted by Marriage Officiants as well as Civil Officiants include:

a.. Naming ceremonies

b.. Renewal of Marriage Vows ceremonies

c.. Commitment or Unity ceremonies

d.. Funeral ceremonies

6.. Less-known ceremonies conducted by Civil Officiants include:

a.. Coming of Age ceremony

b.. Birthday ceremony

c.. Rite of Passage

d.. Successful graduation

e.. Entering the workforce

f.. Entering a new career

g.. Starting one’s own business

h.. Retirement ceremony

i.. Engagement

j.. Separation or divorce ceremony

k.. Anniversaries – wedding and others

l.. Pagan

m.. A bon voyage or welcome back ceremony

n.. Boat naming

o.. Memorial

p.. The establishing of a new home

q.. House-warming

r.. Step children or step parent ceremonies

s.. Loss of child in child birth

t.. Graduation

u.. Blessing of a house

No. 5. Desirable skills for an Officiant

1.. Communication. The ability to tease out the needs of the client who may know very little about the ceremony they want the Officiant to perform.

2.. Great listening. The Officiant needs to hear not only what clients are saying, but also what they are not saying.

3.. Flexibility. No matter how experienced the Officiant may be, he or she allows clients to have the type of ceremony they want instead of the kind of ceremony the Officiant feels they should want.

4.. The Officiant advises, not insists.

5.. Unflappability. The Officiant reacts to the unexpected in a calm manner, especially when the clients aren’t.

6.. Diplomacy. Weddings, for example, can be full of tensions. Everyone involved wants his or her say – the mother of the bride, the maid of honour, and even the bride and groom are sometimes divided.

7.. Patience. Although the Officiant is the expert, he or she encourages clients’ input and treats their comments and queries with respect, recognizing that what suits one client may not suit another.

8.. Immunity to emergencies. The ceremony may be preceded by death in the family, or disruption among its members, but the day of the ceremony reflects none of this.

9.. Interest in trends. If the Officiant wants clients to have confidence in his or her ability, the Officiant won’t be hearing of a new style of ceremony from the clients.

10. Practicality as well as creativity. If the style of ceremony requires props, the Officiant will know not only what props are required but how to arrange them in a practical and visually attractive way.

11. Remembering the little things that clients often forget, like the matches for candle lighting.

12. Initiative. If The Officiant is accepting bookings from interstate or overseas, then, if asked, he or she is able to supply the client with a list of other services in the area.

No. 6. Personal Qualities to help you become a successful Officiant

1.. Genuine interest in your clients

2.. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively what you can offer your clients

3.. Quick thinking - to handle crises and the unexpected

4.. Ability to put into words the ideas presented to you by the clients

5.. Knowledge and understanding of ceremony, ritual, cultural differences

6.. Willingness to learn from your clients as well as other Officiants

7.. Appear relaxed whatever the circumstances

8.. Presentation skills that are both reassuring and impressive in your meeting with the clients as well as during the ceremony itself

No. 7. Business-like Qualities to help you become a successful Officiant

1.. You not only want to enjoy the experience of being an Officiant, you want to be recompensed for your time and effort

2.. Computer literacy and Internet presence is all important, and you need to keep yourself abreast of what’s happening around you

3.. You present yourself as a professional to your clients and their guests

4.. You are organized and punctual for your appointments with your clients for all meetings and, in particular, on the day itself

5.. You are flexible, recognizing that your way is not necessarily the only way

No. 8. The Officiant and Self-esteem

Perhaps one of the more important characteristics you need for becoming a successful Officiant is self-esteem. How do you know whether you have it or not?

1.. People with self-esteem are comfortable with themselves and with others in all sorts of situations and when dealing with all sorts of people.

2.. They are happy to accept their own and other people’s differences and needs, without the need to dominate others or being dominated by them.

3.. While sensitive to the needs of others and looking for the best in others, they act on their own values and judgment.

4.. They believe in their own ability and don’t allow themselves to make a mountain out of the molehills that crop up in their lives from time to time.

5.. To help you develop your own potential and self-esteem you meet up with people who energize you by their positive approach to life, and their belief in themselves.

6.. On the same principle, you avoid people who leave you emotionally drained by their negative approach to life, and their inability to see beyond their own problems.

7.. As an Officiant you are a people’s person.

8.. You enjoy the company of others, your conversation with them, listening to their views, their interests, their thoughts and ideas, their ambitions and their dreams.

No. 9. You and Fellow-Officiants

1.. You take care not to compare yourself to other Officiants or criticize other Officiants either to your clients or to other Officiants.

2.. You concentrate on your own good qualities, adapt other Officiants’ strategies if they are part of your own plan for yourself, and change anything about yourself which you think is detracting from the kind of Officiant you would like to be.

3.. You make friends with other Officiants, especially those whom you admire and from whom you can learn.

4.. These Officiants don’t necessarily have to be highly experienced, but they usually are people who love what they do, and are open to new ways of doing things.

5.. Your interactions with other Officiants is one of learning from them while allowing them to learn from you.

6.. There are very few secrets that make you a better Officiant than others so don’t be frightened that if you tell your success stories to others you will lose your share of clients.

No. 10. Strengths of Successful Officiant

1.. You take personal responsibility for what happens.

2.. Whatever you plan to do you do it in a timely fashion.

3.. Any promises you make to yourself or to your clients are kept because you enjoy the challenge of getting things done.

4.. You know the importance of promoting yourself as a business person and are active in doing just that.

5.. Being persistent you focus on exactly what you want to achieve and are ready for the inevitable challenges that will come your way.

6.. You not only have the confidence to undertake a task, but to keep at it until it’s finished.

7.. You plan every step of the way by knowing the outcome you want.

8.. Your plan includes making a detailed list of your immediate and long-term goals, and tackling them in an orderly fashion.

9.. Knowing where you want to go, you put in place realistic initiatives which will take you there.

10. You expect and plan for the inevitable changes, revising and modifying your plan as you find the need.

11. Being an ideas person, aware of trends and fashions, you work towards being the first, rather than the last to adopt new ways of celebrating.

12. You get along with people.

13. You enjoy working with your clients, networking with people in your industry, gaining their goodwill and support.

14. You are a person who mixes easily, is someone who is easy to get to know, and who loves interaction with others.

15. You are able to describe the services you provide.

16. Unlike tangible goods which can be seen and touched, your services are very much in the perception of the client. In effect, you are the product you’re selling.

17. You communicate your differences from other Officiants with enthusiasm and passion, showing how your experience and training make you the unique professional you are.

18. You have confidence in your ability and the quality of your service.

19. You don’t promise what you can’t deliver and you deliver more than you promise.

20. You are self-motivated, believe in what you’re doing, in the way you’re doing it, and in your ability to achieve what you’ve set out to achieve.

21. You don’t merely have goals. You do whatever it takes to actively promote these goals.

No. 11. An Officiant as a Business Person

1.. You might love dealing with people, but you don’t lose sight of the fact that you’re running a business and not a charitable institution.

2.. Financial responsibility includes charging fees that repay the time and money you put into running your business.

3.. Almost all people starting a new business are just a little embarrassed about asking for their fee, and worrying about the fee being too high. Unless you get over it quickly, you won’t be running a business for too long.

4.. The Officiant business is about being on time and on the ball.

5.. Taking care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally will ensure you won’t succumb to the inevitable stresses of running your own business.

6.. By making time for yourself you ensure you don’t get controlled by your business.

7.. You may not make a large splash very quickly. Don’t invest more money into your business than you can afford.

8.. Most businesses take up to five years before making an impact on the market.

9.. In the case of ceremonies, there is not only a limited market, it is often limited to certain times – in the case of weddings, it’s predominately on weekends. There are only so many weekends, and there is only one of you.

10. Consider holding on to your current employment until you see how quickly you can generate income from your Officiant business.

No. 12. Your expectations as an Officiant

Some people are so attracted by the perceived glamour and ease of being an Officiant that they fail to consider the realities of the situation.

1.. If you’re looking for financial independence, you’ve got to be a realist enough to know that you might fail to generate the hoped for income, and lose some of the money you’ve put aside as well.

2.. To succeed financially you need to do more than place an ad in the Yellow Pages advertising your availability.

3.. Before clients flock to you, you must understand the nature of your business, and who it is aimed at.

4.. Find out what it is about your services that is valuable and indispensable and then find out how you’re going to convince your clients that you have something that all the other Officiants can’t give them.

5.. If you’re looking for the freedom of doing your own thing, be aware that supplying clients’ needs must come before your own preferences. It is not useful to be a creative genius by offering your clients services that they don’t want.

No. 13. An Officiant at His or Her Best

1.. No matter what your particular style is, when seeing a client you need to sound as though you know what you’re doing, and look like the professional that you are.

2.. Personal hygiene should be a priority with hair clean and tidy, fingernails neat and clean, breath fresh.

3.. Dress in a way that you are comfortable with.

4.. Don’t have a dramatic hair change the day before you are to perform a ceremony. Or buy an outfit that is totally at odds with what you normally wear.

5.. You need to concentrate on what you’re doing instead of worrying about what a terrible cut you’ve had, and wondering what everyone is thinking of your outfit.

6.. Be as ambitious as you like in terms of how you look, but don’t allow that to interfere with the performance of the