How to Perform a Wedding Ceremony (In 4 Simple Steps!)

►FREE WEDDING PLANNING GUIDES: http://www.themonastery.org/training/weddings/performing-a-wedding-3-steps
How to become an ordained minister online.
Information on local marriage laws.
What to say during a wedding ceremony.
Signing and filling out a marriage license.


The first step is to become ordained.

We have made this as easy as possible for you. Simply visit www.themonastery.org to begin your free online ordination. Complete the form using your full legal name and current address.
Our online ministry welcomes people of all faiths, and your status as a minister will be legal and valid as soon as you click submit.


Next, you will need to conduct some research on local marriage laws.

Weddings performed by ULC ministers have been recognized in all states, except Virginia and parts of Pennsylvania. However, the specific legal requirements to perform a wedding vary from state to state and even county to county. That’s over 3,000 different laws!

To get the requirements for your wedding, contact the office where the couple will be filing their marriage license.
Introduce yourself as a recently ordained minister and tell them that you are officiating an upcoming wedding. You will want to ask them three things: First, does this county require its ministers to register? Second, what documentation do they need to see from you to be able to sign the marriage license? Third, what is the deadline for filing the marriage license?

We have all legal documents and wedding materials available for purchase from our online store.
Don’t be surprised if they don’t ask to see anything at all; some locations require nothing and simply being ordained is enough to perform a legal wedding ceremony.



Now here’s the part you’ve been waiting for: the wedding ceremony.
As a minister, your biggest responsibility is to create the best experience possible for the couple and the guests.

In order for the marriage to be legal, the wedding ceremony must include the Declaration of Intent. This is most commonly recognized as the “Do you take…” and “I do” exchange between you and the couple. Whether or not you also choose to invoke God as part of the vows, the marriage will still be legal.

Planning the rest of the ceremony is left to the wedding couple and yourself.
Although we provide a variety of helpful literature on our website, we also encourage you to look within yourself for guidance. If you are officiating a wedding ceremony for close friends or family, chances are you have already done much to prepare given your personal relationship with the couple. After all, they asked you to perform their wedding for a reason.

The beauty of a marriage officiated by a Universal Life Church minister is that the parties involved have the freedom to plan the ceremony of their dreams.


After the ceremony is over, all that’s left is the paperwork. To complete the marriage license, have the couple sign it after the ceremony. You will also have to sign it along with two witnesses, and you will have to fill out some more information about yourself.

Our church is the Universal Life Church Monastery, and for denomination, write Non-Denominational. You may use reverend, pastor, or minister as your title. If the license asks you for the address of the religious organization that ordained you, you will put our address in Seattle, Washington. If it asks for the address of the religious body where you practice your ministry or for your business address, write your home address.

Once you complete the license, it is a good idea to make a photocopy for your records. Then, give it back to the couple so they can submit it to the office where they picked it up.
After the document is processed, the marriage is official and your work is done.


Our online ordinations have helped millions of ministers perform weddings around the world. By just completing a few simple steps, you too can perform a wedding that will create lasting memories.
Now, imagine how meaningful that could be for the bride and groom.

►Find us online and become ordained today!
http://www.themonastery.org
http://www.facebook.com/UniversalLifeChurchMonastery

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