Decision time

Determine whether you and your fiancé want a religious or a civil ceremony.

Choose a location

You can get married in a church, chapel, synagogue, a museum, art gallery or hotel. Consider tying the knot at your home, a beach, a park, or ranch.

Seek referrals

If you don't already have somebody in mind, ask friends for recommendations, and search online for local officiants once you’ve decided whether you want to be married by a priest, rabbi, minister, justice of the peace or other public official.

Interfaith couples

Speak to clergy from both of your religions, and ask if they are open to co-officiating. If one (or both) is not, ask him or her to refer you to a less conservative member of his or her denomination. To find ministers who specialize in interfaith ceremonies, contact the Unitarian Universalist Association (uua.org).

Qualifications

If you're having a civil ceremony, make sure the officiant can perform a legal union. The officiant must be a county clerk, mayor, township committee chair, clerk of superior court, judge, magistrate or justice of the peace.

Personalized touch

If you're writing your own vows you must talk with your officiant ahead of time about what you want to say. You may have to follow specific guidelines if you're having a religious service. Ditto for any specific readings or music you may want to include in your ceremony.

Practice makes perfect

Meet before your rehearsal so that you and your fiancé can go over every part of your ceremony with your officiant.

Some schooling

Attend premarital counseling, if required by your clergy.