Officiating Weddings
Romance is in the air as you make arrangements for that magical day. Only who knew it would all get so complicated – dresses, cakes, food, invitations, favors, photography, receptions, and more. Decisions, decisions, decisions…
Well hopefully this page can give you some guidance as you make plans for your wedding ceremony. As a licensed minister who has officiated over 75 weddings I’ve got a little bit of experience in this area. On this page you will find
- How to get a Marriage License in Louisiana
- Why it is important to get Pre-Marital Counseling and how to go about getting it.
- What is the best ceremony order
- How much should you pay the minister
How to get a Marriage License in Louisiana
- You get the marriage license from the Clerk of Court office in your parish
- The license can be used in any other parish in Louisiana
- It costs $31.25 and you must have cash, money order or personal check (Sorry no Credit Cards accepted
- You need a birth certificate for each person, but only one person needs to show up to get the license
- If anyone is divorced, widowed or immigrant then you need to have the paperwork on that too. (Divorce Certificate or INS papers)
- You need both your SS numbers
- Your clergy person needs to be registered in the parish they operate out of, but can officiate ceremonies in any parish in LA
- You need to get the license within 30 days but prior to 3 days of getting married
- The officiant fills out the forms at the ceremony and mails them in – you can get your official copy for $5 from the Clerk of Courts office once the license has been filed by the officiant
Why it is important to get Premarital Counseling
- Think of all the plans and preparations that go into making a great wedding happen. The only problem with a great wedding is that they don’t always translate into a great marriage. The day after your wedding is over you don’t have any more weddings – you’ve got a marriage. Premarital counseling is preparation for a marriage.
- Premarital counseling is a form of preventative counseling – Its not for people with problems – its for anyone who plans to get married
- Typical subjects covered include communication, conflict resolution, finances, in-laws, children, sex, spiritual beliefs and relationship expectations
How to get Premarital Counseling – My Church – Celebration Church in New Orleans – offers 3 options for Pre-Marital Counseling
- Enroll in the 12 Week Premarital Counseling course – It meets each Wednesday for 12 weeks in a row at 6pm. New courses begin each quarter starting in January, April, July & October. Course costs $60 and is facilitated by a professional counselor. Costs cover individual counseling sessions, group counseling sessions, materials and a DVD. For specific start dates contact the Celebration Hope Center at 504-833-4673 or info@celebrationchurch.org
- Contact the Celebration Hope Center for Individual Couples Premarital Counseling. 504-833-4673. Fees for Premarital Counseling are on a sliding scale dependent on income.
- I provide personal premarital counseling for a limited number of couples per year. To inquire about availability you can contact me directly.
What is the best order for your wedding ceremony?
After performing numerous weddings I would recommend this order for your ceremony. Remember the key to a quality ceremony is time. You want it to be long enough where it feels official, but short enough so people don’t lose interest.
- Processional of Grandparents – followed by Mothers of Groom & Bride
- Processional of Wedding Party (Bridal Party, Maid of Honor, Ring Bearer, Flower Girl)
- Entrance of the Bride
- Introduction of Ceremony/Giving away of the Bride
- Wedding Charge (Sermon) by the Officiant (Any Readings should be before or during the Wedding Charge)
- Exchanging of Vows (I recommend Traditional then “Write my own vows” if requested)
- Exchanging of Rings
- INSERT PERSONAL TOUCH: Unity Candle/Giving of Roses/Gifts to the Parents/Video Presentation/Communion/ETC…
- Benediction
- Pronouncement of the Couple
- Kissing of the Bride
- Recessional of Wedding Party
How much should you pay the minister?
My current rate is $200 to officiate a wedding. Payment between $100 and $200 is considered standard practice.
