Do I need an officiant?

Wedding planning can be such a fun process as you select dresses, flowers, cakes, and more. But you’ll also want to take some time to plan for the official, legal aspect of getting married. Depending on which state you are in, the rules can vary widely. Some states still require blood tests before issuing a marriage license! Here in Colorado, it’s actually a simple process. You don’t even need an officiant! That’s right, you can simply marry yourselves!

“ Here in Colorado, it’s actually a simple process. You don’t even need an officiant! That’s right, you can simply marry yourselves!”

No more than 35 days before the wedding, you’re required to take your identification to the County Clerk’s office and pay a $30 fee to receive a marriage license. This is actually one of the prettier marriage licenses I’ve seen! On your wedding day, you’ll both sign the license. For the state to record the marriage, you’ll simply return the license to the County Clerk in person or via mail to make it all official.

A self-solemnization marriage is only allowed in some states, but once you are married, your marriage is valid in all states. This makes eloping in Colorado super easy! 

All that being said, while it’s possible to perform your own wedding ceremony, having an officiant can certainly make the ceremony run a lot smoother. Most officiants, whether a priest, rabbi, minister or secular celebrant, are experienced wedding professionals and will help set the tone for your ceremony. You’ll want to make sure that, just like any other vendor, this person is someone you like and are excited to have as part of your big day. Some couples even choose a relative or friend to serve as their officiant! If you need a recommendation for an awesome officiant, I've got some great ones I've worked with! 

No matter which option you choose, remember that your wedding ceremony is a special moment to honor your love and commitment to one another.