Wedding Officiant Skills
Topic outline
-
Wedding Officiant Skills & Ordination Program
Have you been asked to perform a wedding ceremony? Are you called to serve as an ordained Christian Wedding Officiant?
Whether you're preparing to officiate a single wedding or expanding your ministry, this course is your path to becoming a training and ordained Christian Wedding Officiant.
This is not a simple "online-only" ordination certificate, but a credible program that provides legal and ministry-based ordination. See Reviews. The program includes two parts: study and ordination. Our goal is to offer a credible process that builds your confidence and competence as an Ordained Wedding Officiant, serving as a stepping stone to further ministry training and roles.
Study-Based and Ministry-Based Parts
- Part One: Online Study (2-5 hours)
Learn the essential skills to become a confident and capable wedding officiant through video lectures, readings, and quizzes. Christian Leaders Institute is an educational ministry offering free online Christian courses and low-cost, study-based credentials. For more information, including details about our accreditation status, visit Accreditation Status. - Part Two: Completed Formal Wedding Officiant Ordination (1 hour)
You will complete a wedding officiant profile, provide one endorsement, and have the option to order your official ordination package. Once you complete the required steps, you will be formally recognized by the Christian Leaders Alliance as an Ordained Wedding Officiant.
As you begin this training, start by watching the video below.
-
Explore random sample profiles from thousands of individuals who have successfully completed the Ordained Christian Wedding Officiant program.
- Part One: Online Study (2-5 hours)
-
Part One: The Wedding Officiant Skills Course
This course includes engaging video lectures, readings, and quizzes to equip you with the essential skills needed to officiate a wedding confidently. The course content covers:
The Wedding Officiant Skills Course is designed to take approximately 2-5 hours to complete, making it a convenient option for busy schedules.
Topics:
💍 The role of a wedding officiant
💑 What to do at your first meeting with a couple
🏛️ How to research local government laws
💒 God's design for marriage
📜 How to put together a wedding program
🎤 How to conduct a wedding rehearsal
✍️ How to write a wedding message
👰 How to perform the actual wedding
-
Your study-based ministry training begins with this section, where you will learn about the role of a wedding officiant and how to meet with the couple effectively.
-
If your goal is to get ordained as a Wedding Officiant and you’re in part 1 of your training, use this Level One Endorsement Tool. Once finalized, this step will already be complete. Alternatively, you can manually gather endorsements by clicking here to enroll in the Endorsement Activity Class. Who do you know that could provide an endorsement for you? This stage of the ordination process is the perfect time to reach out and ask.
-
In this section, you will deepen your competence as a Christian minister. You will explore the meaning of Christian marriage and learn how to provide basic remarriage counseling.
-
If your goal is to get ordained as a Wedding Officiant and you’re in part 1 of your training, use this Level One Endorsement Tool. Once finalized, this step will already be complete. Alternatively, you can manually gather endorsements by clicking here to enroll in the Endorsement Activity Class. Who do you know that could provide an endorsement for you? This stage of the ordination process is the perfect time to reach out and ask.
-
In this training section, you will learn how to make the wedding day special. This includes guidance on creating a personalized wedding program and conducting a seamless rehearsal and ceremony. Once you complete this section and the endorsement process, you will be eligible to order your official credentials.
-
You are almost finished with the Christian Wedding Officiant Skills portion of this course! This is the final assignment for Part One.
Important: Do not begin this assignment until you have completed all the lectures, readings, and quizzes.
Once you complete this feedback assignment, you will only need to take the final confirmation quiz. If you have successfully completed all the assignments and quizzes, this quiz will prompt the system to assign you a grade.
Afterward, you can proceed to the ordination portion of the course. If you choose not to pursue ordination, you may omit Part Two.
-
Part Two: Finish the formalization of your ordained status as an Ordained Wedding Officiant with the Christian Leaders Alliance
The final formalization of your ordination with the Christian Leaders Alliance can be complete while you wait for your credentials to be shipped to you. Here are the steps for completing your ordination. .
- Make sure you have endorsement level one. .
- Update Your Profile
Maintaining a basic ministry profile is essential. It communicates your ordained status to those who may want to confirm your minister credentials with the Christian Leaders Alliance. - Participate in a Commissioning Service (Optional)
A public or private commissioning prayer is a customary and empowering step for ordained and commissioned wedding officiants. - Register a Soul Center (Optional)
Consider starting or leading a Wedding Officiant ministry hub in your community to expand your impact.
-
Confirm Completion of the Christian Wedding Officiant Skills Course Requirements
Ensure you have successfully completed all components of the Christian Wedding Officiant Skills Course, including video lectures, readings, and quizzes. This confirmation is a crucial step toward meeting the educational requirements for ordination with the Christian Leaders Alliance.
To verify your completion, click the Credential Icon and confirm that the Wedding Officiant Skills Course displays a check mark.
-
Step Three: Update Your Profile. Ensure your profile is complete and up-to-date in the Christian Leaders system.
Your Wedding Officiant profile will become your publicly posted clergy profile in the Christian Leaders Alliance Directory. A well-written profile communicates your competency and confidence as a clergy member. Please also upload a high-quality picture.
As an officiant, government officials, care facility administrators, other ministers, or parishioners may look up your profile to confirm your status as licensed clergy. This status ensures you are recognized as an officiant covered by confidentiality.
For guidance, see the sample profiles below. Click here to edit profile
-
You may have joined this class simply to get your wedding officiant credentials or as a step toward a more advanced ordination with the Christian Leaders Alliance. Whatever your path, have you considered that you are part of a greater movement, a mission rooted in the vision of Acts 2 to make ministry training accessible to anyone, anywhere, without debt or barriers? Christian Leaders exists to equip and empower leaders like you to impact the world for Christ. Your role in this is key.
While our courses are free, maintaining this mission requires resources. We keep training accessible for everyone because we believe no calling should be hindered by financial constraints. We know that not everyone can donate, but we do rely on the generosity of those who can, ensuring this opportunity remains available to all who need it.
If every student contributed just $10 monthly, we could sustain and expand this ministry, equipping even more leaders for service. Would you prayerfully consider a $10 gift—or whatever you feel led to give—to support this movement? Your gift directly reaches and trains future ministers to share God’s love.
