Self-solemnization Ceremony: Has anyone else done it?

Very interesting. I was not aware that this was a thing.

We are doing this!

My grandma is our "officiant" and leading us through the ceremony. During the ceremony we will be signing the marriage license.

Our layout:

Gma: welcome and thank you introduction. Vows.

Exchange of rings. Sign marriage document. Kiss. Exit.

It will be short and sweet maybe 10-15 mins total?

We picked up or license yesterday. They explain what you have to do with this option at the office. It's very simple!

Following!

@Kels, maybe I'll ask my sister to lead our ceremony like your grandma is. That's a good idea. I don't want to feel too 'unofficial' which is my concern, of its just the two of us.

We did this, but still had a friend officiate the ceremony. He signed as a witness, as did one of my bridesmaids. I like it because I don't like the idea of having to in so many words get "permission" from a judge or otherwise legal officiant.

My cousin just did this. Lol she did not let anyone know though until after.

A Colorado couple did that in CO. Then came here to have me 'officiate' a ceremony for the benefit of their relatives and friends.

@paige : I can send you the word document I wrote up. I pulled from a couple of public source places.

What is your email address?

There are many people on here who highly recommend getting a professional officiant. There is a lot of truth to the reasons they point out. Having a family member or friend perform the ceremony is not for everyone. Just something to think about too. I looked at having a "pro" officiant and found a couple for $150-$500 range.

For us it works because my grandmother is a wonderful public speaker, is very close to both of us and we are really excited to have her be forever part of that moment.

We are doing this. It is legal in PA as well. We have a friend who is going to greet everyone and explain what we are doing, two readers, we will say our vows and the required verbage and someone is going to announce us.

It could be just me but as I was finalizing the order of events I found it a bit stressful. We are just hoping it goes smoothly the day of the wedding.

@Kels...I think I may ask my sister if she would be comfortable doing this. She is a phenomenal speaker and our wedding will be about 25 people. That's basically just immediate family. My FH is totally on board with an "officiant free" ceremony but I like the idea of someone leading it, to give it a better structure.

@Danielle...I think my biggest concern is just that it's tough to find any sort of guidance on line about what you should do, but then again, I guess if it's your wedding, y ou do whatever y ou want, as long as the legal requirements are met!

I think this is awesome. But if I remember correctly, there are only a SMALL handful of states that allow it. If ours was one, I'd be all over it. I don't love the fact that it takes a government-approved 3rd party to call my union a marriage. But oh well.

A bit confused. I thought you were asking about having it literally being just the two of you without a 3rd party to manage it.

We're having a friend officiate, totes legal in NJ. Can't wait!

FH's cousin recently did this on top of a mountain in Pennsylvania.

It's mentioned here a bit https://www.theknot.com/us/sara-warren-and-eli-macoy-aug-2016#ceremony

You're all making me cry.

I am also in CO, my FH cousin just did the Self-Solemnization ceremony with her now husband on the top of a 14ner. They didn't like the idea of saying vows i nfront of a lot of people so the took a couple friends to take pictures and set off in the the mountains.