Did anyone bring an officiant?

[Gradar1]

Has anyone brought an officiant for their wedding with them to Disney? I know most people use Rev. Jack or someone else that Disney recommends, but I've always had my heart set on my pastor here doing my wedding--so much so that I'd bring him with us to Disney to preside over it! Has anyone else done this?

 

[wendy46001]

Actually we had my older brother marry us... had him ordained for the occasion…he did a wonderful job and made it so special

 

[Tinkerbellz]

Gradar1,

We have not done it yet, but we are bringing our own officiant for our 2008 VR ceremony. He has to have no special permissions to do it because we are a VR. I have checked with DFTW already on that point. I also asked if he counted as a "guest" in my wedding total and was told he does not count in the guest total.

Lisa

 

[JonetteA]

My stepbrother who is a minister married us! It worked out wonderfully as all of his kids were in the wedding. It definately helped with some of the tension of us getting married at WDW.

 

[Gradar1]

If I brought my pastor to marry us, do we need to get any special license for him to marry us in Florida? I'm not too bright on this subject , and I don't know if being a pastor and able to marry people in NC would allow him to marry people in Florida.

 

[JonetteA]

Hmm let me check with my stepbrother. To my knowledge he didn't have to do anything special. You can always check out the county court (where the licenses are gotten) and see what the rules are for Florida.

 

[Tinkerbellz]

I just called DFTW and asked about bringing my own officiant. They were very up front with information. Just to be sure!

 

[bonnaroofairy]

I am bringing my own officiant too! I am so glad to hear other people do this. I have asked my WP about what the legal requirements are re: license, etc... but she hasn't replied...well, she did reply with "I will check on that and email you tomorrow"...that was 2 weeks ago. But...my planning session is in 2 days, so I am hoping that all will work out and most questions answered then. My MIL is an ordained Buddhist nun (converted) and we thought we would honor her by having her marry us...but we don't know what legal "stuff" needs to be done in FL for that to happen. I will let you know what I find out in 2 days!

 

[nkkilala]

I am also bringing my own officiant down. The pastor at our chuch (best man's dad) is going to marry us. He said that since he was going to be at the wedding he would love to do the honor of marrying us!
I was told that as long as he is an ordained pastor in a religion acknowledged by FL that he doesn't kneed anything special. However I am going to double/ triple check on this whenever I talk with my wedding planner (well probably only at our planning session but it will always be on my mind.)

 

[CastMemberTinkerbell]

For our 02/02/02 Fairytale Wedding; My uncle (father's brother in law) married us. He was a retired minister. He used to live in FL. I do not believe FL requires too much to be the performer of a marriage certificate. HTH

 

[Gradar1]

Thanks so much for all of your responses! Yay! My pastor is just wonderful, and now I'm really happy that he will be able to marry us! A related question: Would it be rude to offer to pay for his airfare/ hotel in lieu of the officiant fee? I know that it would be expensive for him to make the trip and all, and I would want to help with that.

 

[Tinkerbellz]

I have thought about getting my dear friend to my VR. I think I will opt to pay for his accommodations for 2 nights. That way he can be with us for the welcome dinner as well as for the farewell breakfast the next morning. It just wouldn't be the same for me if I couldn't bring the Rabbi with me. He's the best man I know of to perform the ceremony for us. I have no earthly idea what etiquette(sp) says in this instance.

 

[latoberg]

Thanks so much for all of your responses! Yay! My pastor is just wonderful, and now I'm really happy that he will be able to marry us! A related question: Would it be rude to offer to pay for his airfare/ hotel in lieu of the officiant fee? I know that it would be expensive for him to make the trip and all, and I would want to help with that.

I would not consider it rude at all to offer to pay. Especially if it involves travel and overnight stays. I would recommend sitting down and explaining everything and get your pastor's opinion. You may also want to ask about how he would like to handle the tax implications.

Remember that you would be asking him to give up time at work and possibly time with family. Depending on how he guards his time, a little extra compensation besides air/room may be a fair trade. So you may want to consider a little more above and beyond to show appreciation for his sacrifice of time at home.

Just things to consider.

 

[Gradar1]

Thanks a bunch for your advice. I really appreciate it!

 

[Codie]

If I brought my pastor to marry us, do we need to get any special license for him to marry us in Florida? I'm not too bright on this subject , and I don't know if being a pastor and able to marry people in NC would allow him to marry people in Florida.

No--any religious person can do it in Florida. Only notaries and judges have to get special permission

 

[Malibelle]

My future FIL is going to marry us, he is a minister for UCC. Its good to hear other are bringing thier own. I need to ask my EM what is needed as well.

 

[Gradar1]

No--any religious person can do it in Florida. Only notaries and judges have to get special permission

Yay! I'm glad to hear that my pastor won't need to do anything special to be able to marry us in a different state.