My boyfriend and I are both athiest, so if we don't get married in a courthouse, then who would be the person perfoming the ceremony since we wouldn't have a priest?
2006-10-28 10:55:36 · 25 answers · asked by Rikki-Tikki-Tavi 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
people get married before God and all of the vows are sacred to the church. why would you want to get married? what's the difference to you? ((not being rude, just wondering))
2006-10-28 10:57:18 · answer #1 · answered by *KiM* 6 · 3⤊ 4⤋
My you've gotten a number of rude and ignorant answers, haven't you?
What you seek is a Professional Wedding Officiant, a Justice of the Peace or a liberal clergy person of some sort. The JP will always be happy to perform a civil (non-religious) ceremony. Most PWOs are comfortable with civil ceremonies and you'll find a few clergy who feel the same way, especially those not attached to a church of their own.
To find a JP, check with your local marriage license registrar.
To find clergy, check the phone book.
If you want a PWO, check out this page (scroll down to find your state):
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/weddingofficiants/links
Other places to find PWOs include: Running web searches for "officiant" and your county or city, local bridal shows, referrals from local venues, listings on big wedding websites like theknot.com or weddingofficiants.com.
Your final option is to have an atheist friend or relative get a humanist ordination and perform the ceremony for you. Check out:
http://www.spiritualhumanism.org
You will need to make sure the ordination legitimizes their pronouncement of you as husband and wife. In Ohio there's extra paperwork required and in NYC, there are several hoops to jump through, but most everywhere else, you're good.
Good Luck!!
2006-10-29 12:51:56 · answer #2 · answered by Kya Rose 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can have a judge come to your ceremony- it doesn't have to be in a courthouse. You can also have a humanist celebrant- that is a person who is also not into religion, but can do ceremonies. Look up Humanism on the net if you want to know more about this.
You could also get a liberal religious clergy- like from the Unitarian church to do it, asking them to have it be a totally secular ceremony and they will do that!
Best wishes from a grandma-aged person
2006-10-28 18:11:36 · answer #3 · answered by PeggyS 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A priest would. Here in the UK you can get married anywhere where they have a licence for weddings and you would be married by a registrar.
We got married in a courthouse in Houston with about 300 mexicans at our wedding. Being British I found this to be a hoot cos this type of wedding don't happen here in the UK. We are both non believers too.
*
2006-10-28 17:58:59 · answer #4 · answered by lollipoppett2005 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Some states only require a notary public to notarize your marriage license. Check your state's laws about this. The legal aspects are separate from the ritual.
If you want a ceremony, anyone can perform it. Many Unitarian ministers are happy to officiate at ceremonies for atheists. They can help you find readings, music, etc. if you want, or lots of them are fine with it if you come up with your own vows.
2006-10-28 18:46:57 · answer #5 · answered by Ms. Switch 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As far as I know, you can have a regular wedding and just have a Justice of the Peace marry you. Or go to Vegas if you'd like. People there are ordained but anything but holy.
2006-10-28 17:58:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
someone who is authorized to perform a civil ceremony. A justice of the peace is the usual suspect
2006-10-28 17:57:29 · answer #7 · answered by Clarkie 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Just someone who is licenced to perform a legal marriage in the state where you live. Anyone can do that basically, they don't have to be a judge or an ordained minister. If there's someone you have in mind, ask them, and help them with the paperwork (varkies by state) to be licenced. Best of luck to you.
2006-10-28 18:09:56 · answer #8 · answered by basketcase88 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ok.. odd question.
A Justice of the Peace. You don't have to get married AT the courthouse, you know.
My JP married us at a local park.
2006-10-28 20:56:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
pregnancy and childbirth scientifically are all chemical reactions in the human body but still there is an unknown power which blesses these reactions, love each other till death do you apart as love also is a magic of the divine one. The blessings will always be with you you do not need a priest, get married in the court
2006-10-28 18:03:54 · answer #10 · answered by Sameer 1 · 1⤊ 3⤋
A justice of the peace or a captain of a ship!
2006-10-28 18:00:52 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋