So, you asked your friend/family to officiate your wedding.

It feels like as the years go by, couples have really leaned in to doing things their own way. One of the biggest and consistent changes that I've been seeing is having a close family member or friend officiate. And honestly, I'm loving it. While there is incredible value in having a professional officiate your wedding, there is a certain type of intimacy and connection that comes with having someone close to you be a part of that moment.

What comes from having a family member or friend (or even two) officiate your wedding day? A ceremony that feels deeply personal. Talk about having someone who actually knows YOU. The little quirks, inside jokes, and shared memories you have with them. There's also something powerful about hearing your love story told by someone who has actually witnessed it unfolding.

Another perk is seeing a familiar face at the altar, which can really help calm nerves and make the experience feel grounded and safe. This is extremely helpful for couples who prefer not to be the center of attention. I see you introverted folks. It really helps create that more relaxed and authentic energy when you're saying your I do's.

Here are some things to consider when deciding to use a friend or family member to officiate during your wedding.

• Write everything down! It's so easy with nerves to completely blank out when you're in front of a lot of people, that often steps will get missed during the ceremony process. One of the most missed steps I've seen is asking everyone to both sit down after you've walked down the aisle and stand up before you exit.

• Do a short run-through of the ceremony with them. You don't even need to do it at the ceremony spot. But doing a few practice runs lets everyone feel it out better, and it's always great to hear it all happen out loud.

• Double-check the local narrative requirements, which change from state to state and sometimes from city to county.

• Remind your officiate to move off to the side before the first kiss. As you can see in that last photo above, it's really important for the photos for your officiate to either remove themselves completely or step off to the side so we don't see any eyeballs right behind ya during the first kiss.

• Ensure that your officiant informs your guests of their responsibilities. After your first kiss and walk down the asil together, your guests will often just stand around the ceremony space not knowing what to do next. Ensure that your offsite announcements inform attendees of either the location for family photos or where to find the cocktail hour. People appreciate direction.

How do you get your friends or family member ordained?

Most of the people that I know have used Universal Life Church. They have a very easy-to-use website with everything you need on it. However, remember that once you become ordained, the ordination is only valid for approximately 6 months. And there is often a 2-day waiting period before it takes effect, so factor that into your timeline.

Did you know that you can self-officiate your own wedding in Washington, DC? This is exceptionally convenient if you're trying to keep things small or just want to elope with just you and your partner. All you have to do is apply for a self-uniting marriage license at the DC marriage bureau. And make sure to file all the correct paperwork afterwards. It's so cool! Make sure both of you go to the Moultrie Courthouse and follow everything they list. Also, if you decide to go this route, you still need a witness, but you can have your dog as a legal witness on your paperwork, with a paw print. SO CUTE.

Here are some other states in the US that will allow for your dog to be your legal witness on your wedding day:

Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and DC.