Ordained as a Southern Baptist minister in 1991, Chris Castle never dreamed that his life’s journey would take him to the Inn at Little Washington, where he’s a senior waiter as well as adjunct minister for weddings. “Not only will I marry the couple, but I will pour their Champagne and then serve their dinner,” Chris says. “It is quite a stunning contrast to your average minister.”

While the ceremony can be the most intimate and moving part of a wedding, it’s often the area couples know least about. Having officiated at 85 weddings in his career, Chris is, well, a ceremony expert! On Thursday, he popped in to The Washingtonian to answer your questions about what has to happen, what could happen, and what should happen at the wedding ceremony. If you missed the chat, catch Chris’s advice on everything from merging faiths to marriage licenses lost in the mail to his favorite story for excerpting at the ceremony. (We love The Velveteen Rabbit, too!) Read the chat transcript here.


Bridal Party’s live chat is taking a week off. But don’t worry! We’ll be back in two weeks on July 17 with wedding planner Maria Cooke. More information to come, but start submitting questions now and Maria will answer them Thursday, July 17, at 11.

Want more Washingtonian.com online chats? Check out past Q&As with everyone from bartenders to other wedding pros, and submit questions to upcoming chats.