I dont want a minister or anyone like that! who do I get? Can anyone do it?
2007-09-13 15:09:03 · 24 answers · asked by shannonforpeace 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
We already choose(and booked) a ceremony location in an old 1800's Opera Theater.
2007-09-13 15:19:13 · update #1
The wedding will take place in Stoughton, Wisconsin (but we live in California)
2007-09-13 15:23:36 · update #2
Your can ask a friend who is very close to you and your fiance to get ordained on-line and marry you.
2007-09-13 16:56:23 · answer #1 · answered by kimandryan2008 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An officiant or justice of the peace can do it. A good officiant will do it at the location of your choice and will let you chose the type of ceremony you want to have and help plan the wording. Of course, if you know a good public speaker, they can be ordained to perform your ceremony, but you had better trust this person to hold up to their end of the deal, it is usually better to go with a professional! Best wishes!
2007-09-15 20:11:13 · answer #2 · answered by LoveWithNoBoundaries 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I may suggest the American Assoc. of Wedding Officiants, they may be able to help you find someone that will fit your needs. http://www.figstreet.com/aawo/
Most states require that a judge, or licensed minister preforms the service. This is because it's a legal contract your signing, so they want a legal representative present at the signing of the marriage license.
As a minister I have preformed non-religious ceremonies, I just did one for a gal from Baraboo, WI whom married a guy from MN. It is possible to find a minister that will preform to your guidelines, and would be your best bet, especially if you want a big ceremony, a judge is more of a quick in and get out deal. Best of luck.
2007-09-14 00:49:12 · answer #3 · answered by Reverend Matthew 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you don't want minister, you'll need a judge or justice of the peace. Each state sets out in their statutes who is authorized to officiate at weddings. I'd start there, but it's usually ministers and judges. Personally, I don't perform very "religious" weddings. It's usually a civil type ceremony.
2007-09-13 23:00:22 · answer #4 · answered by Coach C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to have one of us horrible ministers marry you.
And despite what some "hear", you might get someone ordained via the Net but not all states acknowledge that ordination. You may find that your marriage isn't legal.
Judges, JP's, Mayors can only marry in their jurisdiction. And no, ship captains can't marry you.
To find an officiant type into Yahoo your city, state & wedding officiant (no 's' on the end) You will have a few to choose from, usually on the 2nd page. The larger bridal sites seem to get top billing. If you do go to the bridal sites, please visit the site of someone you think you might like. Those bridal sites make vendors & officiants pay for your contact info so you may not hear back from someone you'd hoped.
2007-09-13 22:39:22 · answer #5 · answered by weddrev 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Below is a list of members in good standing with the American Association of Wedding Officiants in that area. Many of us are more than happy to do strictly civil ceremonies but use the "minister" title to meet the state's requirements to make it legal. So don't let the title put you off. Just give a couple of calls and see who seems to be on the same page with what you want.
http://www.letsgetmarried.org
http://www.ceremoniesbydesign.com
http://www.forministry.com/uswiindptlmlml
http://www.milwaukeeclergy.com
My website also has a slew of sample civil ceremonies.
http://www.churchofancientways.org
2007-09-14 10:32:44 · answer #6 · answered by bountifiles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try the Universal Life Church! This is an organization that will allow anyone to instantly become an ordained minister online. It's perfectly legit--you'll just have to check the laws in the state in which you plan to marry. I plan to use them myself someday; it's great because you can ask someone who truly cares about you to marry you and your fiance.
2007-09-13 22:29:25 · answer #7 · answered by kiki 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi and congratulations:
Call the city clerk's office in the city you will be getting married in and ask them for a list. You can have a justice of the peace, a judge, a magistrate, or a "wedding officiant" - someone that has taken a class and who can legally marry you in that state.
Good luck!
2007-09-13 22:28:20 · answer #8 · answered by iloveweddings 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.secularceremonies.com/HCs.html
or
http://www.nonreligiouswedding.com/
Find a humanist officiant, like at the sites above.
Or where do you live? For example, in Florida . . . notaries can be wedding officiants.
Or . . . you can wed at the courthouse.
http://usmarriagelaws.com/search/united_states/index.shtml
This site says, "Civil ceremonies usually are conducted by judges. In some states, county clerks or other government officials may conduct civil ceremonies. Contrary to some popular legends, no state authorizes ship captains to perform marriages."
Click on site above, and check out the laws for your state.
http://www.wedplan.net/wedding/officiants/wisconsin/
2007-09-13 22:19:51 · answer #9 · answered by Suz123 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I found a great Minister on-line. It sounds bad but I found her, met up with her every once and a while to go over the ceremony. Worked out great.
2007-09-19 15:04:23 · answer #10 · answered by lhallums82 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check with the management at the opera theater. Our daughter got married in a flower conservatory and they had a list of officiates available. She had a beautiful wedding. Congrats and good luck with yours. It sounds lovely.
2007-09-13 22:41:21 · answer #11 · answered by old beatnik 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋