Say "I do" to tying the knot. "Officiant Lisa Francesca has literally written the book on how to plan the perfect ceremony." —Martha Stewart Weddings

Recent data from the wedding planning website The Knot shows an impressive surge in the number of couples having a friend or family member officiate their wedding. Ranging anywhere from 25 - 51% of couples surveyed in various studies, the trend is certainly not slowing. Now, more than ever, novice officiants need a resource to guide them.

InThe Wedding Officiant's Guide, interfaith minister Lisa Francesca breaks down the entire officiating process, from becoming an ordained officiant and interviewing the couple to drafting and performing a moving ceremony.

PRACTICAL WEDDING PLANNING BOOK: Written in an engaging and friendly tone, and featuring empowering advice, suggested readings, stories, and lessons learned from new officiants, and practical tips from wedding planners, this inviting handbook will help new officiants write and deliver a wedding ceremony that fulfills marriage laws, delights guests, and honors the marrying couple.

A GIFT FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED IN PLANNING: For a bride or groom who wants a family member or friend to perform their wedding, this comprehensive guide is a great gift to give to your officiant. For beginner or career officiants, this book will be an invaluable resource. Professional wedding planners can add a copy to their client offering to meet the needs of modern couples.

RITUALS, READINGS, AND RESOURCES: The words that shape each event are as important as the perfect wedding dress, decorations, and food. This book contains wedding readings and rituals from different cultures and faiths. Planning a destination wedding? Interfaith or cross-cultural marriage? Same-sex wedding? Agnostic or civil ceremony? All are covered.

EXPERT GUIDANCE FROM AN EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL: Based on her experience officiating at wedding for more than a dozen years, Lisa Francesca wrote this guide to "inspire confidence in any nervous new officiant." As she explains, "it covers every step from getting authorized to perform a ceremony to filing the license. You'll learn how to create a ceremony that really reflects your couple, how to manage the wedding rehearsal, and how to stay calm, collected, and in charge on the big day."


Perfect for:

• Career officiants, life celebrants, or seminary students hoping to officiate at weddings as a career
• Women and men exploring resources for planning weddings to take place outside of religious institutions
• Engagement gift or wedding officiant gift
• Pair with traditional wedding planner book or organizer for the bride