I Do Today

Interfaith Ceremony, Non-religious Ceremony, Single Religion Ceremony

Christian (no denomination), Christian - Baptist, Christian - Catholic, Christian - Lutheran, Christian - Methodist, Christian - Presbyterian, Jewish

No

Yes

This is your day and you should have it your way. Yes

Yes, please do. Yet many times they reflect back to me for guidance and direction. Do not hesitate to ask any questions I'm here to support your special day

Yes, many.

No, optional yet always encouraged.

Yes.

When deciding where and how to obtain your Marriage License you will want to consider the following: Typically marriage licenses are issued to applicants on the spot. A marriage license is generally valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. In most states, blood tests are not required. Applicants must be over 18 years of age. Coming from out of state to Orange County or Los Angeles and is your wedding scheduled for a weekend? The county recorder’s office is only open Monday through Friday so check for local offices times of business:o Orange County http://:www.oc.ca.gov/recorder/Locations.Aspo L. A. County http://www.lavote.net/clerk/Marriages.cfm You should be prepared to:o Appear together in persono Present one form of valid indemnification (some government issued picture ID (e.g. driver’s license, passport, ect)o Provide a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce if divorce was final within the last 90 days ( I encourage all divorced couples to bring your filed copy of Entry of Judgment or Judgment document to be on the safe side) Fees vary from county to county, state to state so please check your local listings. The following is for Orange and Los Angeles Counties, CA:o Orange County http://www.oc.ca.gov/recorder/Fees.Aspo L. A. County http://:www.lavote.net/general/Schedule_Fees.cfm Now there are two types of Marriage Licenses and these are the general guidelines when making a decision which one you want to consider then purchase:o License of Marriage- tradition license requires officiate to sign after performing the ceremony and up to two witnesses. (only one is required in the State of California). This marriage license once recorded becomes a public record which anyone can view.o License of Confidential Marriage- only requires officiate to sign after performing the ceremony without any witnesses. This marriage license once recorded is not open for public viewing.What is the difference between a Marriage License and a Marriage Certificate?The marriage certificate is more of a keepsake. You will receive an original of both the license and the marriage certificate.You will need to purchase a certified copy of your license once it has gone through the recording process to make all necessary name changes with Social Security, DMV and other financial institutions. This can take anywhere from to two weeks to a month.When Choosing A Wedding OfficiateYour ceremony is the heart and soul of your wedding and will likely be the mostpersonal memory of this special day. So choosing an officiant is more critical than mostpeople realize. Many couples, especially those who do not have a regular place ofworship, plan in advance for everything but the wedding officiant! Personal referralscan give you a sense of security but make sure the officiant meets your individual needsand requirements. There are many things to consider:The OfficiantIf at all possible, meet personally with the officiant to make sure you are comfortablein their presence. It helps to discuss in advance what you are looking for as a couple soyou are prepared to ask questions about everything that is important to you. Are theyavailable for your wedding date and can you imagine them presiding over your specialday? Do you like their voice and will it carry? What will they wear? Do they appear tobe sensitive and flexible in relating to you? Do you sense they can collaborate with otherwedding professionals to make your day joyful and elegant? Remember that yourofficiant should be able to reflect your values, beliefs and the meaningful aspects that areunique and special about your relationship.Pre-Marital EducationDoes the officiant require your participation in pre-marital education or counseling?If not, are you interested in participating? Even when not required, pre-marital educationis an excellent investment in your future. Learning more about each other’s strengths andweaknesses and gaining enhanced communication/conflict resolution skills ensures thebest possible foundation for a happy marriage.The Ceremony and VowsWill the officiant work with you to develop a special ceremony which honors you as acouple? Can you use contemporary readings or are religious or scriptural readingsrequired? Can you write your own vows or add special touches? Your ceremony shouldbe an authentic expression of who you are as individuals and as a couple. For the mostpersonal and unique wedding ceremony, your officiant should act as a guide and co-creator (not a director).LocationDo you want to be married in a church, on the beach, or at some other speciallocation? Is your officiant registered in the state or country where you plan to bemarried? Do special location arrangements need to be made and who will make them?Fees and Other ConsiderationsFees vary depending on services and travel requirements. Do you want the officiantonly at the wedding ceremony or will you require them to be present at a rehearsal? Doyou want to invite them to the rehearsal dinner and/or the dinner/reception after yourwedding? Don’t assume anything without asking about each of these possibilities andreceiving clear answers from your officiant.Finally, do you believe your wedding officiant will act as a trusted advisor capable ofmeeting your needs through listening and encouragement, linking you to other resources,or providing direction if desired? This is your day – choosing the right wedding officiantwill create a special memory for years to come. (Jacqueline Soares, 2009)