last month i had the great opportunity to work alongside rev. william scott at a wedding. very professional and personable, rev. scott did a fantastic job officiating and wrote a beautiful ceremony for the couple. i was very excited to interview him for the blog to give my brides a chance to learn more about rev. scott and how he can help give you a lovely ceremony.
Reverend William E. Scott – The Marrying Man
http://themarryingman.org/
bill@themarryingman.org
(919) 690 8347
1. How and when did you decide to become a Reverend and work as a wedding officiant?
My nephew is also a minister, and he married my other nephew about 15 years ago. I knew then, that this was something I wanted to do. It was a wonderful wedding, and I was so proud of them all.
2. What is your inspiration for writing ceremonies?
I am normally inspired by the couples that I meet. Each couple is different, so I listen to what they say, try to determine their personalities, etc. and I try my best to develop a service that is right for them. Takes a bit of work sometimes, but the end result is worth it.
3. What is the most unique ceremony you’ve written?
I think for me, it was an American Indian couple that I was lucky to be involved with. They wanted something special and in tune with the earth, so we worked long and hard, but we created what I thought was a truly lovely ceremony. We had a pig pickin’ afterwards, so that made it even better.
4. What is the cutest or funniest thing you’ve seen happen at a wedding?
I did a wedding, where the couple wanted to get married over a pond on a dock. When it came time to get the rings, the best man, as he was handing me the rings, dropped them. Fortunately I caught them, just before they hit the dock, but the groom had to catch me, to keep me from falling in. It all worked out quite well, thank goodness.
5. What is the most rewarding part of doing this job?
Over the years, I have met so many wonderful people and their families. I enjoy the food and the festivities as well, but it is the people that I find the most interesting. I sometimes get “Thank you” cards from some of my couples and it just makes me feel so good to know that I have helped make their day, feel very special.
6. Who has encouraged you to start your own business and helped you along the way?
Well, for me, this is not actually a business. I only do a few weddings each year because I am selective about the couples that I serve. I normally enjoy serving couples that have good personalities and I can see that they are truly in love. I actually owned a computer support group for 20 years until December of 2009. I do this for the sheer joy of it.
7. Where is the most interesting place you’ve traveled to in order to perform a ceremony?
I have done many weddings in great places. One of my most favorite is the Hudson Manor in Louisburg, NC. It is owned and operated by a couple that is truly awesome. They took an old Plantation, then they work hard to restore it, and have created a beautiful site (that they take great care of). Additionally, they really know how to conduct a great wedding and keep everything and everybody in good order.
8. What is the most challenging part of being a wedding officiant?
I think the most challenging part of the wedding process, is the original meeting with the couple. In most cases they are very nervous and are not sure what to say. The key is just to relax, and talk about the things that are important to you. In my case, I like to hear information from the couple that tells me what they are looking for in a service and what their expectations are. Expectations should not be too high, but the couples should surely get what they are looking for.
9. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I don’t have a lot of spare time, because my wife works with animals that need to be rehabilitated or relocated and on our farm, there is always something to do. I do enjoy reading and playing Chess whenever I can, and of course working with computers. I like to do things that challenge my mind.
10. What advice would you give young couples searching for a wedding officiant?
I think the most important thing is to find the right officiant and one that will work for them and give them the sort of wedding that they wish to have. I know some officiants that are stringent and want things “their way” instead of what the couple wants. I do not really like that, but I hear of it all the time. Sometimes personalities clash, or an officiant may not react as the couple thinks they should. The key is, that the couple is paying, so they should be able to command respect and honor.
**thank you so much, rev. scott, for doing this interview! i had a great time working with you and look forward to weddings with you in the future!
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