Having trouble trying to figure out how to include a friend or family member in the wedding ceremony? If he/she is a good public speaker, you may want to consider requesting them to act as your wedding officiant. Nowadays, getting ordained to marry is a much easier process – in many states you can even obtain certification online! For many people who are interested in a non-religious wedding, having a close friend administer the ceremony is much more intimate and appropriate choice than a minister.
The process for attaining a license is different in every region. Consult the local courthouse or registrar for information on how to get qualified. There are also various resources online that you can utilize that identifies all of the laws and requirements for each individual state. In most cases you can become ordained with the church of your choice. A great place to get a license quick is at ULC (Universal Life Church) in Modesto, CA. According to recent records, the church has ordained almost a half million people; most of whom can legally conduct ceremonies in 49 states!
It’s as simple as entering in your general information such as name, number and email address, and clicking “Send.” Within hours of submission, you will receive a certificate giving you full authority to conduct as many weddings as you wish. How you decide to execute the wedding is entirely up to you – with the bride and groom’s consent, of course.
In Louisiana, Florida, Maine, and South Carolina, notaries are also authorized to perform wedding ceremonies. If you’re having your wedding in one of these states, have your designated officiant contact the National Notary Association for the proper paperwork. You can also visit www.nationalnotary.org for more information on how to get started.
If your chosen officiant only wants to be ordained for the day, there are many places where you can get a one-time use pass. States such as Massachusetts, California, and Alaska all offer the opportunity for individuals to obtain a temporary license for an extremely low cost. In California you can become a Deputy Commissioner of Marriage in just minutes!
Make sure that whoever you choose to be your wedding officiant is emotionally-mature enough to handle such a large responsibility. Your officiant holds the most essential position of everyone at the ceremony, apart from the bride and groom. He/she is completely responsible for captivating the audience. It’s vital that the person you select is both articulate and can effectively convey all of the important points you want mentioned in the ceremony.
Have your officiant write a script for the ceremony months prior to the actual wedding. This way you can have the opportunity to verify and edit everything before it’s too late. Other important steps to take before letting your officiant take over:
- Collect all special quotes, biblical citations, and songs you wished played
- The order in which you want the ceremony to follow (ex. Opening prayer, vow exchange, readings, declaration of consent, unity candle, etc)
- Consider what religion, if any, you wish to imitate. If you’re family is Catholic, you may want to try to pay a small tribute in their honor by incorporating some of the traditions in the ceremony.