How To Officiate A Gay Wedding

Dc Gay Marriage Officiants

The First Justice to Officiate a Gay Marriage

The DC Marriage Bureau maintains a list of active officiants who have been authorized to perform weddings in Washington, DC but the list does not specify which officiants perform LGBTQ+ weddings.

While many DC-area wedding officiants are LGBTQ-friendly, it isnt always obvious whether an officiant will help LGBTQ+ couples or not. All of the officiants with DC Elopements fully support smae-sex marriage and perform weddings for LGBTQ+ couples on a regular basis, we are familiar with the issues that many couples have when traveling to DC to get married and are happy to help in any way we can. Since we serve so many LGBTQ+ couples, we can often assist in recommending hotels, venues, and vendors who are also LGBTQ-friendly . No matter which of our officiants you work with, you will have a positive, welcoming experience.

Gay Marriage Requirements In Dc

The requirements for gay couples getting married in Washington, DC are the same for both straight and LGBTQ+ couples. DCs Marriage License requirements state that Applicants must be 18 years old, or 16 years old with parental consent. Each applicant needs to provide a government-issued photo ID or passport at the time of application the ID must contain a birth date for proof of age, and a current address. The court will accept copies of photo IDs without objection, but for passports an original color copy that has been notarized with a raised seal is required. The DC Marriage Application must be filled out in its entirety, and the applicant who must be one of the people getting married must affirm under oath that the information is correct. Neither party needs to be a resident of DC in order to get married in DC.

What About The Officiant

The rules around marriage differ across the UK. Same sex marriage is legal across all of the UK, and has been since March 2014 for Wales and England, December 2014 for Scotland and since 2020 in Northern Ireland, however the types of marriage ceremony available depends on the country youre in.

For example, humanist weddings are legally recognised in Northern Ireland and Scotland, whereas they are not legally binding in England and Wales. Same sex couples currently cant marry in Church of England or Roman Catholic churches, however they can marry in a Methodist Church. As of May 2022, the Church of Scotland voted to allow same sex marriages to take place – ministers and deacons can apply to become celebrants of same sex marriage, but they will not be made to take part.

Youll need to check what the rules are in the area where you want to marry, and will want to find an LGBTQ+ friendly officiant. LGBTQ+ people deal with enough homophobia on a regular basis, so lets keep that out of our weddings. A lot of LGBTQ+ couples decide to have a celebrant instead of an officiant as it allows for a more bespoke celebration.

If youre marrying somewhere where celebrant-led ceremonies arent legally recognised, you can have the legal part before, after or on the morning of your wedding day at a registry office and then a professional celebrant or even a friend can lead your service.

Don’t Miss: What Does A Priest Say At A Wedding

Who Walks Down The Aisle

In a traditional ceremony, the bride is walked down the aisle and given away by her father. Sounds rather outdated, right? But who says it has to be your father? Why not your best friend, a very close auntie or your mum? You could even walk down together if you want. It really is up to you! There are so many ways to make this moment your own.

What if instead of having one half of the couple waiting at the top with the officiant you both walk down the aisle? Walking down the aisle together arm in arm is an incredibly romantic gesture and a glorious moment to capture on camera.

The idea of all the attention making you feel nauseous? Lets ditch the aisle altogether. Theres many other ways of doing this, such as a ceremony circle, where guests can stand in a circle and leave space for the couple to join, or you could start at the front of the ceremony space and then have the guests enter after you. Why not mingle with the crowd if theyre not in seats and slip your way to the front, or a great idea for an outside space let the guests in a processional behind you so they find their seats as you find the front.

Rachel and Issy took yet another different approach: Weve talked this one through as we were going to meet at the bottom of the aisle and walk up together, but then we decided to go separately as Issys dad had been unwell and It means a lot to her for him to walk her up the aisle. Issy will go first and wait for me at the top, Ill then walk up afterwards.

We Love Celebrating Gay Marriages

Many couples come to the hottest place in the United States, Washington DC to tie the knot. The wedding industry in DC is inviting to all couples, regardless of their sexual orientation or ethnicity. Love is love, and your happiness is what matters to us.

At The DC Marriage Knot, we work hard to ensure that all DC same sex marriages are special. From the wedding location to the vows you speak will highlight the moment you and your family will treasure for years to come.

Dc Elopements Can Help You Today

If you are interested in getting married in Washington, DC we would be honored to help you get legally married in a way that suits you and your partner. Our cover everything from obtaining your marriage license to full-scale wedding ceremonies. For more information, or to check our availability, please contact us today!

Same Gender Wedding Ceremony

Word of welcome

My name is , and I have the privilege of performing this ceremony today. On behalf of and , welcome and thank you for being here.

They are thrilled that you are here today to share in their joy during this wonderful moment in their lives.

The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved, loved for ourselves. If there is anything better than being loved, it is loving.

This afternoon we are here to celebrate love. We come together to witness and proclaim the joining together of these two people in marriage.

This is the union of two individuals in heart, body, mind, and spirit, Therefore, marriage is not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, honestly, and deliberately. And it is into this union that and come now to be joined.

Reading

Now a reading that express the sense of joy and love on this occasion. It is called ‘To My Friend’:

I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you because you have done more than any creed could have done to make me good, and more than any fate could have done to make me happy. You have done it without a touch, without a word, without a sign. You have done it by being yourself. Perhaps that is what being a friend means, after all.

Second a reading from the Bible written by St Paul who writes:

The expression of intent

The affirmation of family and friends

The exchange of vows

Recommended Reading: How To Make A Wedding Arch

How Do We Find A Credible Organization

There are a few large organizations that will ordain online. Some of the most common online ministries are American Fellowship Church, Universal Life Church, Universal Ministries and Rose Ministries. Once you find one that suits you, check with your Secretary of State’s office for legitimacy. The American Fellowship Church, for example, is legally registered with the California Secretary of State’s office as a nonprofit religious organization in good standing.

Do Unsupportive Relatives Require An Invitation

Wedding Officiant Andrew Wilson of Weddings by Andrew

Navigating who to invite to your gay wedding can be tricky enough, but add relatives with anti-gay-marriage ideologies into the mix and it gets even more complex. You want to please everyone, but it can be hard to tell mom and dad that you wont be inviting certain unsupportive parties if theyre paying the majority of the bill. On the bright side, the unsupportive side will likely no-show, and if you and your partner are footing the bill yourselves, we say stick to your guns and only invite the people who love and support you two through and through.

Step : Request A Certified Copy Of Your Marriage Certificate

The portion of the marriage license the officiant returns to you on the day of your ceremony is not considered legal documentation of your marriage.
You are legally married as of the date you marry, however, you must obtain a Marriage Certificate from the county office that issued you the license.

Once the county receives documentation of your marriage from the officiant and processes it you can get marriage certificate from the county. It usually requires another fee and you can often simply call or email to request the marriage certificate.
You will usually need this official marriage certificate in order to change names, etc.

Brush Up On Your Public Speaking Skills

Unfortunately, a flawlessly written, heartstring-pulling speech is only half the wedding officiant battle. You also need to know how to work a crowd but not be so much of a scene-stealer that you outshine the couple. Its a fine line.

Where do you start? Practice reading your speech aloud, make eye contact with the wedding guests , smile in a non-creepy way, and stand up straight. Try not to speak too fast or in monotone. And be sure to enunciate . These are the bare-minimum requirements for holding the crowds attention.

Recommended Reading: How Much Are Photo Booth Rentals For Weddings

Don’t Be Confined By Wedding Party Labels

In an LGBTQ+ wedding , gender shouldnt define anyones role. The most important thing is having the people closest to you by your side. Just remember to share their duties with them. There might be a lot of stuff they need to help you with.

For me, these are three of my best girl friends and my sister. For Iss, its her best guy mate and three of her best girl friends, says Rachel.

Were putting the bridesmaids in the same dress, but theyre multi-way dresses so everyone can make it their own and wear something they feel comfortable in.

Your wedding party, I do crew or whatever you choose to call the people that will be next to you on your big day, will have a lot of responsibilities. Here is a list of just some of the things youll need someone in your wedding party to look after:

Hen/stag/sten do organising
Be a sounding board for ideas
Attend your wedding outfit fittings

Help with hands on tasks:
Be your witness to sign the register
Greeting and guiding guests to their seats

Ensuring all suppliers/items are in place
Holding the rings
Getting ready with the couple]

If youre the nearlyweds considering this, you can wear whatever you want! Most wedding traditions dont necessarily make sense anymore, and dress code is one of them. What to wear on your wedding day is entirely up to you. No need for this suit or that dress. Be yourself and be comfortable.

READ MORE: The Best Non-Binary Wedding Outfits

Why You Should Book Your Lgbt Wedding With Me

The right wedding officiant for your LGBT wedding will make all of the difference. Here are a few reasons why you should book one of my LGBT wedding packages:

I am a dedicated professional who believes that you should have fun while planning your LGBT wedding. We will share plenty of laughs and smiles along the way as we design your wedding ceremony experience.
I offer more than just a simple civil ceremony. I will work closely with you to plan a wedding ceremony that draws on your spiritual beliefs and personal values, allowing your faith and traditions to shine through in a symbolic way.
I can incorporate wedding traditions with a contemporary twist into your LGBT ceremony, giving you and your guests a memorable experience to enjoy together.

Eqil Lists Hundreds Of Clergy Who Perform Same

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHICAGO Hundreds of clergy members in Illinois want to officiate at same-sex wedding ceremonies, newly possible under the freedom to marry law, and Equality Illinois helps the couples connect with the faith leaders in a new pamphlet.

The just-issued listing of wedding officiants joins the updated Equality Illinois guide as aids to help couples navigate the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act and answer one of the most frequent questions about it: Who will perform our wedding? The two pamphlets are available for viewing and downloading at www.eqil.org/marriage.

Many clergy or religious institutions welcome same-sex marriages, so Equality Illinois created this listing, which we expect to grow, of faith leaders who embrace same-sex couples, Cherkasov said. Christian, Jewish, Muslim and non-denominational leaders from all corners of Illinois are represented in the guide.

The updated Equality Illinois guide answers most of the other questions couples have about taking advantage of the states new marriage law, including how to convert a civil union into a marriage.

No clergy member or faith institution is obligated under law to perform a marriage or civil union ceremony.

# # #

Churches With No Policy On The Unions

The United Church of Christ has no formal rules requiring or prohibiting solemnization of wedding vows, but owing to its Congregational polity and constitution, each Local Church is autonomous in the management of its own affairs and has the right to operate in the way customary to it it cannot be abridge or impair by other UCC agencies, and so each congregation has the freedom to bless or prohibit any kind of marriage or relationship in whatever way they discern appropriate. Thus a congregation may choose at their discretion to solemnise same-sex marriages, to bless same-sex unions, or refuse to perform any ceremony for same-sex couples, or refuse to perform any kind of marriage for anyone. There are no available statistics on how many UCC congregations solemnize same-sex relationships, but there are documented cases where this happens and documented cases where congregations have taken stands against marriage between same-gender couples.

Among Baptists, The American Baptist Churches USA allows each congregation to decide for itself. Also, the National Baptist Convention USA Inc. does not have an official position on any issues with regards to homosexuality. Each congregation is autonomous in the National Baptist Convention USA Inc. Likewise, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship recognizes the autonomy of each local congregation on these issues.

Read Also:

Also Check: How Much Does Wedding Decor Cost

Navigating Your Wedding Party Labels

Its your day! You ultimately dictate what works best for your group, and that extends to giving your wedding party any label that resonates best with them. Weve heard the use of everything from bridesmen to groomswomen, and we also love names like best women,groomsmaids,men-of-honor or genderless terms such as attendants or party people.

Figure Out What To Wear To This Thing

Ian Britt slays it. Funniest wedding officiant ever, Britt/Snow hilarious wedding ceremony

Ask the couple whether theyd like you to wear anything in particularthey might have a wedding dress code they want you to follow, or at least a few opinions about your look.

If they leave it in your hands, a safe bet is a classic suit in a dark or neutral color . You obviously want to look good because youre going to be in a lot of those wedding photos, but you also dont want to distract from the couple on their special day. For this reason, we wouldnt advise wearing anything too bold. On the other hand, if you go too dark and stoic at a vibey wedding, youll stick out, too. Try to match the tone.

Once youve got the suit picked out, youll need to make sure it fits. Need help finding your suit sizes? Find out how here, or take our simple quiz to find them right now.

Recommended Reading: Rose Gold Wedding Sets For Him And Her

A Poem By James Kavanaugh To Love Is Not To Possess

To love is not to possess,To own or imprison,Nor to lose ones self in another.Love is to join and separate,To walk alone and together,To find a laughing freedomThat lonely isolation does not permit.It is finally to be ableTo be who we really areNo longer clinging in childish dependencyNor docilely living separate lives in silence,It is to be perfectly ones selfAnd perfectly joined in permanent commitmentTo anotherand to ones inner self.Love only endures when it moves like waves,Receding and returning gently or passionately,Or moving lovingly like the tideIn the moons own predictable harmony,Because finally, despite a childs scarsOr an adults deepest wounds,They are openly free to beWho they really areand always secretly were,In the very core of their beingWhere true and lasting love can alone abide.

Not Sure Where To Begin With Your Wedding Planning

Take our Style Quiz and well pull together a custom wedding vision and vendors to match, just for you. After that, create a free, personalized wedding website to keep your guests informed about your plans, and a time-saving Guest List Manager to organize your attendees. Even better? You can sync your Guest List Manager and wedding website to update everything at once.

Recommended Reading: How To Make Wedding Invitations With Cricut

Latest Posts