Ceremony Types & Matching Officiant Types.

The following six ceremony definitions are not common technical or dictionary definitions. They are "working" or "practical" definitions from our experience in serving thousands of WeddingOfficiants.com couples over the years.

RELIGIOUS CEREMONY---of a particular denomination (e.g., Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist, Baptist, etc.) or combination of denominations; characterized by formal or defining religious elements/rituals/traditions from one or more denominations.

Officiant Type---an officiant who appreciates and enjoys officiating the particular religious elements, rituals and traditions the couple would like. Needn't be from a particular denomination unless the couple wants him/her to be from a particular denomination OR the element, ritual or tradition involved can only be appropriately done by clergy ordained in that denomination.

NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY---defined in terms of what it "isn't". A non-denominational is a ceremony that is not of a particular denomination.

Officiant Type---any genuinely flexible and open-minded wedding officiant regardless of title, affiliation, interest or background.. E.g., a rabbi or a priest can do a non-denominational ceremony. The key: They are truly interested in couples having what they want for their ceremony.

INTERFAITH CEREMONY---aka multi-faith and interdenominational. A combination or blend of religions ranging from only some religion to being entirely religious.

Officiant Type---depends on the degree of religion: entirely religious usually requires the officiant to be of the particular religion represented (e.g., Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist, etc.). Less than that can be professionally officiated by an officiant "capable of" or otherwise experienced in presenting that side. E.g., a minister can appropriately say a Catholic prayer or officiate a Jewish breaking of the glass ceremony. Key: wedding officiant is genuinely flexible, open-minded and comfortable regardless of title, affiliation, background, personal interest or practice.

SPIRITUAL CEREMONY---"spiritual" means different things to different people. Most often, in a ceremony context, it is either the religious, sacred or divine feeling or essence underneath a religious element, ritual or tradition or as Wordnet Dictionary defines spiritual: "concerned with or affecting the spirit or soul; a spiritual approach to life; "spiritual fulfillment"; "spiritual values".

Officiant Type---a wedding officiant who is genuinely flexible, open-minded and comfortable with the couple's idea of "spiritual" regardless of title, affiliation, background, personal interest or practice.

NON-RELIGIOUS/CIVIL---No religion in the ceremony whatsoever, including no prayer (although a couple may have an invocation or poem that would be as meaningful to them as a prayer would be to a religious person). AKA as court house, notary, JP or Justice of the Peace ceremony. Contrary to some thought, a non-religious or civil ceremony can have absolutely as much meaningfulness, warmth and heart as any ceremony with meaningfulness, warmth and heart. Non-religious or civil means no religion, but not "no love".

Officiant Type---a wedding officiant who is genuinely flexible, open-minded and comfortable with no religion in the ceremony. Key: what the couple wants is #1.

MULTI-CULTURAL CEREMONY---similar to interfaith except involving combining or blending of a couple's cultures and heritage; may or may not have any religious elements--can be civil or non–religious, or very religious.

Officiant Type---Officiant is genuinely flexible, open-minded and comfortable regardless of title, affiliation, personal interest, culture or heritage.