Who puts the seal on your wedding vows when you say "I do?"

For many who have a religious wedding, the minister is the one who officially pronounces you husband and wife. But, what if you do not have a "home" place of worship, you're getting married away from the area where you grew up, you're having a civil ceremony, or your rabbi isn't available? How do you find someone to sanction your vows?

In Georgia, judges and any minister or official authorized by a religious sect can perform marriages. According to Stephen Ott, Peachtree City Municipal judge pro hac, after marrying the couple, it is the officiant's responsibility to complete the certificate of marriage and file it within 30 days with the probate court that issued the license.

If you're in a hurry, you can probably get your license, find a judge across the hall and get married almost immediately, since there is no waiting period in Georgia. However, if you want to be a little more traditional, you might want to do some planning.

Searching the Internet, asking friends and making calls to courthouses can help you locate an officiant in your area. Some will conduct religious or civil ceremonies, and may help you write your vows to personalize your ceremony.

A wedding planner can usually help you find an officiant. Elain Barnes of Weddings by Elain in Stockbridge has been in the wedding business for 25 years and has a list of ministers and judges who will perform a ceremony.

"I meet with the bride and get to know her a little. Then I try to match her personality with someone on my list," Barnes said. "Most officiants like to meet the wedding couple prior to the wedding and get to know them. This makes the ceremony more personal."

Getting to know the couple is important to the Rev. Henry Close of Douglasville, a retired minister.

"I require a consultation with the pair I marry," Close said. "I don't like to call it counseling, because that infers that something is wrong. I simply spend some time with both of them and touch on things they need to think about as they embark on their lives together."

Most officiants are in the business because they enjoy what they do.

"I adore performing weddings," said the Rev. Linda Jennings of Newnan. "It is one of the most important days in a couple's lives. I bring enthusiasm to the service, but yet, I acknowledge the seriousness of what they are about to do."

Barnes offers some advice to couples looking for an officiant.

"If you aren't using a coordinator, make sure you get a signed contract from the officiant," she said, and always ask up front about fees.

Delores McCarty of Magical Memories Wedding and Event Planning in Newnan said fees vary, and some officiants accept donations rather than charge a fee. She said that a standard fee/donation begins around $200 and may increase based on the time involved and the travel distance to the wedding site.

Barnes said it's a good idea for the officiant to attend the rehearsal.

"Sometimes it is a good idea that he or she knows the format of the ceremony and is familiar with the facility," she said. If it is a small outdoor or civil ceremony, that may not be necessary, she added.