Important Questions to Ask Your Wedding Officiant Before You Book The Wedding
Are you registered to perform weddings in my location?
How long have you officiated weddings?
About how many weddings you do per year?
What training have you had?
Will you go to my location to do a ceremony?
What type of ceremonies will you perform?
What are your rules as to photography ?
Is pre-marital counseling required?
Do you have ceremony samples?
What are the fees charged?
If it is possible see if you can see the officiant in action at another wedding. Be sure to contact an officiant in time before booking a rental hall or location so you are sure you have a good officiant for your ceremony.
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Florida Marriage License Information
*You must obtain a marriage license from the state of Florida. However, your license may be obtained at any courthouse in Florida and does not have to be purchased in the county in which you are being married.
* Waiting Period: Out of State and Out of Country residents only - NO WAITING PERIOD! Florida residents have a three day waiting period; unless premarital course is obtained prior to application for license.
* No blood test or physical. Both bride & groom must be present with proper picture ID and their social security numbers to sign the license. Applicants must be 18 years or older or applicants who are 16 or 17 years of age can obtain a marriage license with written parental consent or consent from a judge.
* If you are previously married, you must have the date the divorce was obtained.
* Marriage License is valid 60 days from date issued.
* Marriage License is $93.50 and is payable to courthouse where obtained in cash only; with the exception, that some Florida courthouses have begun accepting credit cards. Please call the Florida courthouse where you plan to purchase your license and confirm acceptance of credit cards. Couples who have completed a state-sanctioned marriage preparation course within the past 12 months are entitled to a discount of $32.50. The provider of the class must be listed with the Clerks office.
* Marriage License
must be presented to officiant prior to start of ceremony.
Please contact any Florida Clerk of the Courts directly or visit their websites for any questions regarding obtaining a marriage license in Florida.
Need a Florida Marriage License by Mail ?
Are you Non-Residents of Florida who cannot arrange to go in person to a Florida Clerk of Court during normal business hours (Monday through Friday; non-holidays) to apply for your marriage license? If so, you can apply for it by mail. Normally, it takes about 60 days to complete this process. It requires extra paperwork, a couple trips to the post office, and having your license notarized in your own local area. Contact the County Clerk of Courts for information on how to start your paperwork.
Full Wedding Ceremony Overview
(just a starting place)
This is a basic overview of a full wedding ceremony. There are many different options listed, in fact, probably to many to be used in just one ceremony.
Use this information to familiarize yourself a little bit with the many different options available, how they are performed, what they may look like, and their meanings. Many of these options contain links to further information, and everything is customizable, including the length and order of the ceremony. More information. . .It Is YOUR Wedding!
When we meet to discuss the specifics of your ceremony, we will work to decide what options are best for you! Don’t worry, we will ensure that you are very prepared for any options you choose!
FULL WEDDING CEREMONY OUTLINE
YOUR GUESTS ARE SEATED
Ensure that guests have good directions, to the venue and to the location of the ceremony itself at the venue. More info . . .
VIP’S ARE SEATED
The mothers of the Bride and Groom are tradationally the last to be seated.
ENTRANCE OF THE BRIDAL PARTY
How does everyone make it down to center stage? This can happen in many different ways. The following is the traditional processional order, but there are lots of different options.
ENTRANCE OF THE GROOM
Groomsmen may or may not enter with the Groom. The officiant may enter with the Groom.
THE PROCESSIONAL
The Groomsmen may or may not escort the Bridesmaids, who are then followed by by the Maid of Honor. Next are the ring bearer and flower girl.
ENTRANCE OF THE BRIDE
The big moment! Protect it! There are many different ways for the Bride to process - traditionally it has been on the arm of her father, but the Bride can processes with any significant person, or alone.
The arrival at center stage can be escorted or after leaving the escort at their seat. The Bride and Groom can process the entire distance together, can go the last significant distance together, or can meet at center stage.
WELCOME OF YOUR GUESTS
This is the address and welcome that the officiant usually makes to your guests on your behalf. This is also the time when the officiant "breaks the ice" so to speak, and helps to release the tension present in everyone.
READING
This reading can be used to set the tone for the celebration! The first reading is usually short.
We encourage the involvement of your guests in the ceremony, and it makes for a wonderful photo opportunity. Consider asking important people in your lives beyond the Bridal Party to read.
DECLARATION OF INTENTION
This is the time for the "I do’s". The officiant asks the Bride and Groom a series of questions that affirm their intention to marry.
RESPONSE OF THE FAMILIES AND GUESTS
This is where your family and guests can respond that they will help you to uphold your marriage. This can also be utilized as a time for vows either from or too your children, if you have any.
MEMORIALS
In your ceremony you can remember someone who can’t be with you on your special day - either because of distance or because they have passed away. This can be as simple as the mention of the names in the program or ceremony, or such specific actions as laying a rose in front of a picture of the person to be remembered.
READING
Again, readers from among your guests is a wonderful way to connect.
ADDRESS TO THE COUPLE
The officiant talks. Should be relatively Short!
GIFTS TO VIP’S
Perhaps flowers to your parents, or tokens to your children. This is highly emotional and makes for incredible memories and photos.
HONORING YOUR HERITAGE
This can happen at any time in the ceremony, and may occur throughout. Perhaps it is the playing of drums or bagpipes, or the exchange of special lei’s, or a prayer or blessing in a native language.
TELLING YOUR STORY
If your family is spread across large distances, they may not know the story of how you met or what brought you together. Sharing this in the wedding can be very meaningful for you and your guests.
EXCHANGE OF VOWS
This is the oath of fidelity that your are taking! This is the central focus of the whole day - this moment. Vows can be written by you in a deeply thought out process, chosen from traditional references, or ad-libed on the the spot.
We can lead you through your vows one line at a time, you can memorize them if you want, or you can read them from a card.
UNITY CEREMONY
There are so many options that it is hard to list them all. Various options include Candle Ceremony, Sand Ceremony, Wine Ceremony, Hand Fasting, Jumping the Broom, First Gifts, Coin Ceremony, and Joining of Crystals.
PARENTAL VOWS
The lives of your children change just like your lives do. Honor them with a vow for your involvement as the parents in their lives.
PRESENTATION OF RINGS
If you have a ring bearer, that person can formally present the rings to the Bride and Groom by kneeling or bowing. Another option is for the Maid of Honor and the Best Man to have the rings, and to present the ring to the person they are not attending - i.e. the Best Man presents the Groom’s ring to the Bride.
EXCHANGE OF RINGS
Often words or an oath is given while the Bride and Groom are exchanging rings. Also, any reminder of your love can be exchanged, not just rings.
BLESSING OF THE MARRIAGE
Another great place for the inclusion of one of your guests to speak.
DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE
This can also include the signing of the legal documents, to be done with flourish.
KISS
Any explanation necessary?
BIRD OR BUTTERFLY RELEASE
A great photographic moment, if you want to include it.
INTRODUCTION
It is my honor and privilidge, to introduce to you . . .
RECESSIONAL
Your guests cheer for you, blow bubbles, throw petals, or ring bells.
YOU KISS AGAIN
Stop halfway down the aisle, in the middle of your guests, and kiss again!
BRIDAL PARTY FOLLOWS