Fake ceremony?

You could do it, but do you know ANYONE else? A pastor, a family friend, do your parents know anyone? If not then, I would do it.

In Mass you can have a friend or family member get a "one day officiant" form they can fill out. Maybe your state has something similar?

You are probably going to get some mixed responses here. As a guest, I wouldnt care if I attended a ceremony like this. If you have no other options, Id say go for it. But, I would look into other options first as PPs have suggested.

Unfortunately, I don't have parents. They're deceased and my family and I are estranged, so I'm on my own. I have reached out to my fiances aunt who knows a pastor but have yet to get a response. I'm just so worried I won't find anyone in time. I am also looking up the 'ordained' process here in FL to see if it's legal for a friend to get ordained.

You have time for a friend to get ordained online. It is legal in FL. Honestly though, I would bite the bullet and pay one of the professionals that are too expensive. Lying to your wedding guests aka closest friends and family isn't a good way to start a marriage.

I don't know about Florida's legalities, maybe Nancy will weigh in. I doubt that you can have a courthouse wedding on a weekend. In NJ, the rare offices that even do this will schedule on some random weekend, generally not when you want it.

I don't know if people who are looking for officiants realize that they should have a formal contract for you that states that they WILL show up or find someone for you. I think we've had to switch officiants twice in the last ten years because one of mine was in emergency surgery. But that's water under the bridge....

I don't have a problem with dual ceremonies (and please don't call it a fake one, okay?) because in a lot of situations, they're a good idea. I do have a problem with this notion that anyone who can be legal will be good. Frankly, most of the pro officiants I've seen aren't that great.

I'd look for officiants; start calling today. If you have a Unitarian Society near you, or a UCC church, try that; they usually don't have religious requirements for the ceremony. We all have weird dates that are open for us; I have next Sunday....who knew......If that doesn't work, call the clerk, find out when and if they can do it, so at least you know you're legal. Then troll around the people you know who have some personality and might consider doing a very short thing that night; many of my banquet halls are shocked that our ceremonies are about 20 minutes long. They tell me that most of the friendors' ceremonies are about five minutes. Sounds inspiring, right?

It'll happen for you, just maybe not in the way you expected.

We already got married at court, but no one but our friend knows. He is marrying us at our ceremony. We live in NYC and apparently an ordained friend can't marry you, only an actual pastor. We will celebrate our wedding day as if we got married that day and no one will ever know the difference. We get married next week.

^^Why are you hiding the fact that you are already married?

OP, I think this is totally fine in this circumstance. I would go to the courthouse on Friday to make it legal, then have a friend perform the ceremony you were already planning on. Of course it would be better to find a pro, but if you're in a pinch this world be an ok plan. When people side eye "fake" ceremonies, it is like what @Jennifer described, where you're misleading your guests. Good luck!

Desiree, check with your local courthouse, but I doubt it will be open on a Sat. morning. You may need to make an appt. to get married there earlier in the week.

Yes, all Notaries in FL are authorized to officiate weddings. Most of them are not willing to do so, for a variety of reasons.

Check the Vendors tab here on WW for professional wedding officiants. If you can't find anyone that way, look up Notaries in the phone book -- chances are if they advertise, they may be willing to officiate.

@Jennifer you don't get married next week. You're already married.

@Jennifer you don't get married next week. You're already married.

I agree, Jennifer, you aren't getting married next week/having a wedding. You already did.

You should really be honest with your guests. If I got an invite like yours and found out after the fact that they lied to me, I probably wouldn't be speaking to that couple again. And they WILL find out.

Who was the bride that did this, and then her whole family found the record of the legal wedding on ancestry.com a year or two later..?

Public records, ya gotta love 'em.

Op: I wouldn't have an issue with what you're doing, it is all happening the same day, and wasn't an intentional circumstance. So I would be WAY more understanding about your situation. That said, being in FL, can you see if you can find a notary or something to do the ceremony for you? You could also look into Kevin Knox, I know he works mostly with Disney, but I think he does short, sweet ceremonies for like $250-$300 if you're in the Orlando area. He's who we're planning on for our wedding at Disney.

I'm in Jacksonville @mna. Thank you for the suggestion though.

That's incorrect about NYC.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It was only a matter of time before the lying thing cropped up. You don't owe anyone an explanation but you do need to find somone.

Desiree, how far out of your price range is hiring a pro costing you? Perhaps finding a way to come up with the cost difference will be less expensive/stressful than the other avenues you're exploring.

Best wishes.

OP , where in florida are you? We are also Florida brides. Maybe I can help. Edit for missing your post, we are in south florida

Www.weddingwire.com/biz/2-hearts-united-jacksonville/bb35f99d4950990a.html

^ Check with Liz at ^

You could skip the ceremony all together. Get married and have a reception later.

@nancy, i did and shes booked that day.