Best Cleveland/Akron Officiants?

Re: Best Cleveland/Akron Officiants?

• cupcakewarfare member

  

  October 2011 edited December 2011

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_ohio-cleveland_clevelandakron-officiants?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:110Discussion:198d1645-9ce0-4d11-976c-f3d39e528e46Post:7579ca2e-f872-4bb3-9f5f-c353b0378c27">Best Cleveland/Akron Officiants?</a>:
  [QUOTE]Hello, I am hoping by the end of this month to select the officiant. This will be a big step in our wedding. Right now we have the venue and catering booked and the date set. The officiant to me is the most important decision after the venue itself, because the officiant sets the pace, tone, and theme for the entire wedding. We are holding an outdoor wedding at Medow Ridge Farm next June. It will be a formal attire wedding, but aside from that, very laid back and light hearted. I have seen too many wedding officiants who are "stuffy" old, boring, or even offensive by offending other religions or cultures. While I consider myself Christian, I'm not really actively practicing religion. I do welcome the idea of inviting god into our ceremony to bless us and our families and loved ones. But I don't want to do so in a way that seems preachy or offensive or hurtful to others. I'd like the ceremony to last between 20-40 minutes. I am hoping to stay under $300-350 for the officiant including any tax/tip/travel fees which may be required. I have a few quotes already in my inbox ranging from $200-450, so I think my budget expectations are reasonable. But above all, I want a younger officiant, male or female does not really matter,<strong> although part of me, kinda feels like having a female officiant will detract somehow from the attention of me. I want to be the only woman at the front of the room (in the center at least, because of course my friends and family will be in my bridal party)</strong>. But I've seen at least 2 or 3 weddings in the last year that used female officiants and had lovely ceremonies so I am not really completely opposed to the idea. Really want someone young, youthful, upbeat, happy, with an awesome public speaking voice, great sense of humor, charismatic, charming, playful, and enthusiastic. Are there any officiants like this in the cleveland/akron area? (of course I'm doing my own research and reaching out to those I find online but I am always interested in hearing from other people's experiences)
  Posted by jeniandbrian[/QUOTE]
  
  <div>The part I bolded is the danger zone. I wouldn't worry about this one bit. Everyone knows you're the bride and honestly, you and your almost-H will probably be blocking the view of the officiant. Throughout the entire wedding, have no fear that the attention will be on you and your FI.</div><div>
  </div><div>We are using Tim Greathouse, who might fit your officiant needs. He has a very detailed website that gives his views on weddings and marriage. He has been fantastic to work with so far and has great reviews. Despite I've never met him in person yet, I feel more at ease with him than I think I do with any of my other vendors, who I've met on multiple occasions. I'd suggest checking out the website and dropping him a line!</div>

  

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• knottie5a9ca3f0ea36cc86 member

  

  October 2011 edited December 2011

  tim was actually the first vendor that I contacted. Unfortunately since my ceremony is out of his 4 county range the price is more than we can really afford. He does look awesome though.

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• Marmaduke25 member

  

  October 2011 edited December 2011

  http://www.ohioweddinglady.com/ She's a lady, but Cathy is really awesome. She'll customize your ceremony to include as much or as little religion as you want.

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• kcartellone member

  

  October 2011 edited December 2011

  Rev. Rich at ohioweddingministers.com is awesome! He's not young, but he fits the rest of your description. Very flexible, affordable, caters completely to the bride

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• knottie5a9ca3f0ea36cc86 member

  

  October 2011 edited December 2011

  I guess what I mean is young at heart. I want someone who's voice can project clearly, with enthusiasm and not drone on and be preachery or condeming or condescending or rambling  thank you for the links I will be checking these when I get out of work.

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• JKohio member

  

  October 2011 edited December 2011

  Another you may want to check out is Nora with Uniting Hearts. She does a great job. A couple of my friends used her. We didn't because the venue we chose would not allow an outside officiant.
  http://www.unitinghearts.com/
  Personally, I don't think it matters whether a male or female handles the ceremony. As a pp said, there's no way anyone would mistake the officiant for the bride.

  Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml

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