Marriage Officiant

Do you need the legal recognition of marriage for your state?

Do you need a ceremony for this rite of passage that is free of religious context which is not part of your identity?

Since not everyone includes religion in their identity, it can be difficult to find an officiant to conduct a wedding without such context. In addition, even when a person’s identity includes a religion, that identity itself may bar them from receiving this service from those ordained in that religion. This creates a deficiency in a society so combined with various identities where the mixture becomes a characteristic to the society; a deficiency, a denial even, of rites of passage to members of the society.

Marriage brings together partners in life and their families and friends; some perhaps just for that moment, but many for lifetimes after. A humanist celebrant conducts a wedding ceremony to include the identities of each partner and the unity they form together. Celebrate bringing lives together.

When you are ready to schedule a service, click on “Book Services” in the top menu².

What is a humanist?

Simply put, a humanist is someone who celebrates and believes in humanity without the need to believe in supernatural or spiritual forces guiding us. For resources on the deeper dive into answering this question, see the FAQ on humanism.

What is an officiant?

An officiant is someone recognized by a government body as having the authority to preside over a marriage and authenticate the binding of a legal contract between two people.

Are all weddings legally binding?

No. A wedding can occur and not receive legal recognition; thus, those involved are not considered legally married and do not receive the legal benefits inherent to this. While the terms wedding and marriage are often interchanged, many consider wedding as a reference to the ceremony and marriage as a reference to the union itself, legally binding or not. The reason(s) for a marriage to not be legally binding can range from how/where it was conducted, to who conducted it, and to the people wed in the ceremony. In the U.S.A., each state legislates the requirements to recognize a legally binding marriage. While many of the requirements of each state are universal, some differences can occur; it is best to refer to the state requirements if seeking a legally binding marriage.

However, just because it is not legally binding does not mean a wedding ceremony cannot be performed. A state may not recognize the marriage, which can prevent certain legal benefits, but other legal arrangements (ex. power of attorney) can help replicate these benefits. The ceremonial aspect of a wedding enjoins the parties to a unified life—a decision to cooperate and consider one another—and the legal union simply runs parallel to this.

Consultation

A free 30-minute initial consultation is available to discuss any initial questions regarding performing a wedding ceremony. This consultation is not meant to replace of any part of the wedding ceremony service outlined below; it exists for you to determine if you want Usagi-Warren Services or even if conducting your ceremony is possible.

Wedding Ceremony

A wedding involves more than the ceremony itself; there’s plenty of background work put into even the shortest of ceremonies. As such, Usagi-Warren Services, offers more than simply conducting the ceremony itself, but is not a wedding planner. The following are included (times provided are for reference and may vary):

• Introductory Meeting (1 hour)
  • A time to gather much of the basic and logistical information
  • Introduce the celebrant and couple to one another
  • This is when you express what you want for your wedding ceremony
• Second Planning Meeting (1 hour)
  • Begin composition of the ceremony verbal components (ex. the vows)
  • Outline the ceremonial timeline
• Third Planning Meeting or Rehearsal (1 hour)
  • A rehearsal of the ceremony
  • If a rehearsal is not possible, this serves as the finalization of the plans for the ceremony
• Conducting the Ceremony (1 hour)
  • The time arrives; let’s celebrate!
  • This is when the marriage certificate, for legally binding marriages, is signed after the ceremony

Elopement/Short or Quick Ceremonies

Not keen on lots of ceremony? Short on planning time? Need a replacement officiant? A celebrant might provide what you seek, but schedule an initial consultation first to check on feasibility and scheduling.

Vow Renewal/Exchange

Some couples wish to renew their vows, to acknowledge the continuance of their union, or wish to exchange vows to one another. Much of the same planning in a wedding ceremony can exist in a vow renewal or vow exchange, or it can be simplified. There is no legal recognition or benefit to a vow renewal or exchange, it is simply a way to let those around you recognize and celebrate the life you choose to live together. Schedule an initial consultation to discuss this option.

Writing Vows

While you can find many examples of vows online today, sometimes you want that something special that connects to you. A celebrant can help by creating vows specific for you, but creating tailored vows for your ceremony is separate from the usual ceremony planning. Even if a celebrant does not conduct your wedding, they can help put into words the vows your hearts desire.