WEDDING DAY
1. DRESS THE PART
Make sure that you are dressed appropriately.
I have a suit just for weddings and funerals. I joke that it’s my marry ‘em and bury ‘em suit. This works for most weddings, but not always.
For example, a suit would be appropriate in a church, but if it’s a barefoot wedding on a beach, a suit probably won’t fit.
Talk to the bride and groom before the wedding to make sure.
2. BE EARLY
The bride and groom have enough to stress about on their wedding day than to worry if you’ll show up on time.
So don’t be late!
I suggest arriving at least 45 minutes before the ceremony begins.
Check in to let them know you are there, offer to pray with them, and see if they need anything else from you.
3. SMILE
This is a celebration. Enjoy it!
Let your joy and the celebration of God’s gift of holy marriage be contagious to others.
Don’t be the stick in the mud preacher. And don’t take yourself too seriously.
I’ve never seen a wedding where everything is perfect.
If you make a mistake or stumble over your words, laugh about it and keep moving.
If someone else makes a mistake, just smile and keep going.
4. BE CONFIDENT
You’ll probably be nervous, but everyone else in the wedding is nervous too.
You need to project confidence to help everyone else stay calm.
If you’ve done the work leading up to this part, you’re ready.
5. TALK TO THE SOUND PERSON / DJ
Whoever is running the sound system often isn’t at the rehearsal, so this may be the first time you talk to them.
Do they have a lapel or handheld mic they’d like you to use?
Do they need any cues from you when to play any of the songs the bride and groom selected?
Make sure you are all on the same page.
6. READ YOUR SCRIPT
The wedding is not about you. Your job is to honor God, honor bride and groom, enunciate and project so people can understand you, say what needs to be said, and not get in the way.
So, while I can’t stand it when a preacher reads their notes during an entire sermon, weddings are different.
It’s OK to read your notes. In fact, I encourage it.
This doesn’t mean you should be boring. If you’ve rehearsed well, you can still read your notes and have moments of eye contact with the audience and the bride and groom.
I like to either print out my script and keep it in small, three-ring, black binder or read it off an iPad. But find what works best for you.
7. SPEAK SLOWLY
Take your time. Don’t ruin the ceremony by rushing through your script.
Speak slow, pause at all the commas and periods, and enunciate well.
You are not here to put on a show and wow everyone with your charisma. You’re here to honor God and the newlyweds with a beautiful ceremony.
In an emotionally charged event like this, there is power in pauses and silence.
8. DON’T FORGET TO SIGN THE MARRIAGE LICENSE
Immediately after the ceremony, get the bride and groom and two witnesses away from the crowd to sign the marriage license.
The wedding photographer will probably also want to be present to take pictures. Make sure you wait for them.
After signing the license, remind them to make sure they give it to someone they trust or put it somewhere safe immediately before doing anything else.
9. SKIP DINNER
If you will be performing a lot of weddings (I’m looking at you pastors), don’t feel guilty skipping the dinner reception. Go home and be with your family.
Just let the couple know ahead of time, as I suggested earlier.
However, if it’s a good friend and your family is also invited to the wedding, by all means, stay and enjoy!
This article originally appeared here.
