I am planning my sister's wedding and we wanted to some info on officiants. What is the process of "hiring" a rabbi? Do they charge a lot? Did you have a minister co-officiate?
Hi Kate, Is your sister having an interfaith wedding? Does she or the grooms family already have a rabbi from their synagogue?
Adam & Shoshie 10-21-07: "My family is big and loud and everybody's in each other's lives and business. ... but wherever I go, they will always be there." * My Blog: Tales of a Hopeful Jewish Mom to Be *
I'm assuming that it is an interfaith wedding, if you are asking about having a minister co-officiate. Whether to have a minister co-officiate depends on what the couple wants. Our wedding was officiated only by a rabbi, as NotFroofy is not a member of any religion. However, some couples choose to have co-officiants. You should be warned, though, that many rabbis will not perform an interfaith wedding at all, and that even those who will often will not perform an interfaith wedding with a co-officiant.
In terms of finding a rabbi, you may want to start with the synagogue of which they are a member, if any. The synagogue of the Jewish parents may be another alternative. If neither of those works, InterfaithFamily.com has a service that will match interfaith couples with a rabbi willing to work with them. You may also want to consider using a cantor rather than a rabbi. The ceremony is just as legal with a cantor as with a rabbi, and cantors may be a bit more flexible on average than rabbis.
You may also try interfaithfamily.com to find a local rabbi that is willing to do an interfaith ceremony, though as the PP said they might not co-officiate though.
As for cost, it can be pricey if your sister or fiance isn't using their own rabbi from their shul.
We are having our ceremony on a Saturday (after sundown) and it was difficult to find a Rabbi that would do the ceremony at any time on a Saturday. Another thing to consider.
Re: Help with Jewish wedding
Is your sister having an interfaith wedding?
Does she or the grooms family already have a rabbi from their synagogue?
Adam & Shoshie 10-21-07: "My family is big and loud and everybody's in each other's lives and business. ... but wherever I go, they will always be there." * My Blog: Tales of a Hopeful Jewish Mom to Be *
In terms of finding a rabbi, you may want to start with the synagogue of which they are a member, if any. The synagogue of the Jewish parents may be another alternative. If neither of those works, InterfaithFamily.com has a service that will match interfaith couples with a rabbi willing to work with them. You may also want to consider using a cantor rather than a rabbi. The ceremony is just as legal with a cantor as with a rabbi, and cantors may be a bit more flexible on average than rabbis.
Good luck!
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You may also try interfaithfamily.com to find a local rabbi that is willing to do an interfaith ceremony, though as the PP said they might not co-officiate though.
As for cost, it can be pricey if your sister or fiance isn't using their own rabbi from their shul.
We are having our ceremony on a Saturday (after sundown) and it was difficult to find a Rabbi that would do the ceremony at any time on a Saturday. Another thing to consider.