Expertise.com
Laurels

Best Wedding Officiants
2022

The Best Wedding Officiants
Here Are The Top Wedding Officiants
The Gypsy Mobile Minister

The Gypsy Mobile Minister

The Gypsy Mobile Minister is a business that officiates different types of weddings starting at $99. Joelle is a minister and has been an actress, singer, Cher impersonator, among other occupations. Along with officiating weddings, The Gypsy Mobile Minister can connect couples with experts that will give them discounts on flowers, photography, dinners, catering, hotels, and more. Clients appreciate Joelle’s professionalism, compassion, and affordability.

Las Vegas, NV 89173

Website

Website
Wedding Officiant Las Vegas Dr. Micki D. Hecht

Wedding Officiant Las Vegas Dr. Micki D. Hecht

Wedding Officiant Las Vegas performs non-denominational, inter-denomination, multi-denominational, and same-sex weddings. Dr. Hecht has studied many religions and has experience working in marriage and family counseling. She and her husband, Rabbi Mel Hecht, tailor the ceremonies to the couples. Clients remark on her sentimental ceremonies.

Las Vegas, NV 89134

Website

Website
Casually Elegant Weddings

Casually Elegant Weddings

Casually Elegant Weddings is a Las Vegas company that has been officiating weddings for over 12 years. Pastor Ed is a wedding officiant and a full-time Senior Pastor. He is experienced in many types of weddings and rituals including Irish, Jewish, Philippine, Scottish, Mexican, and Spanish, and jumping the broom, Ketubah/chuppah, lock/keys, ring warming, Canadian signing, and more. Locations Casually Elegant Weddings has performed weddings at include Las Vegas landmarks, mountaintops, parks, beaches, and dry lake beds. Clients remark on the beauty of the ceremony.

Las Vegas, NV 89009

Website

Website
XOXO Jamelle

XOXO Jamelle

XOXO Jamelle provides wedding and event services in Las Vegas, Nevada for elopements, weddings, commitment ceremonies, vow renewals, and receptions. Jamelle Johnson is a licensed wedding officiate and has experience with local vendors to provide the best service to couples. She has won several awards, including the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award in 2016 and 2017, and offers a workshop to help couples write memorable and meaningful vows. XOXO Jamelle has flexible packages for couples that want to plan most of the wedding themselves or couples who want every detail handled by Jamelle Johnson. Couples describe her as professional, friendly, and helpful. Her tagline is "Think Outside the Chapel" because she specializes in unique locations and venues.

Las Vegas, NV 89101

Website

Website
Wanda's Weddings

Wanda's Weddings

Wanda's Weddings is a professional wedding officiation company in Las Vegas, Nevada that serves clients in the wider local metropolitan area. The company provides services to heterosexual and same-sex couples and specializes in both traditional and non-religious ceremonies. Wanda's Weddings is listed on Gay Weddings and provides clients with mobile services at locations requested by each client. A winner of the Wedding Wire Couples' Choice Awards in 2014 and 2015, Wanda's Weddings is praised by its former customers for the ease of its process as well as the calm and professional demeanor of its officiant and its ability to make ceremonies highly enjoyable for everyone involved.

Las Vegas, NV 89183

Website

Website
Abundant Weddings

Abundant Weddings

Abundant Weddings specializes in performing wedding and vow renewal ceremonies that provide life-long memories. The Las Vegas-area wedding experts help couples tie the knot on a budget without compromising a magical, unforgettable wedding. The premier officiants offer fully mobile services and arrive at the couple’s location of choice from the Valley of Fire to the Vegas strip. Abundant Weddings has an outstanding reputation for providing affordable wedding packages that consistently exceed expectations. The business offers all-in-one wedding planning and officiant services that ensure the special treatment every couple deserves on their special day. Couples enjoy a range of simple, reasonably priced wedding services that include rehearsals, music, bouquets, boutonnieres, photography, and more. Abundant Weddings commits to providing the highest level of service that provides cherished memories for years to come.

Las Vegas, NV 89129

Website

Website
Love Knots

Love Knots

Love Knots is a Las Vegas company that offers customized weddings and events for clients. Owner Rev. Maria Romano is an ordained minister who has years of event and wedding planning experience. She offers wedding packages, proposal packages, and vow renewal and commitment ceremony packages. Other services include hair and makeup, music, catering, sommelier service, wedding officiant, and hotel accommodations. Clients remark on Rev. Maria’s talent and professionalism.

Las Vegas, NV 89121

Website

Website
Peachy Keen Unions

Peachy Keen Unions

Peachy Keen Unions is a Las Vegas company that officiates weddings. Owner and wedding officiant Angie Kelly and wedding officiant Norma Rivera offer services such as a custom ceremony, luxury elopement or small wedding, vow renewal, and notary and legal paperwork only. They aim to create customized ceremonies for and with couples. Clients remark on their attention to detail, enthusiasm, and professionalism.

Las Vegas, NV 89178

Website

Website
Wedding Vows Las Vegas

Wedding Vows Las Vegas

Wedding Vows Las Vegas is a business that provides wedding ceremonies, commitments, vow renewals, and elopements to couples. Reverend Judy Irving has over 20 years of experience and is an ordained, licensed officiant. She has won multiple WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards and has won TheKnot.com’s Best of Weddings award four times. Reverend Judy has incorporated rituals in her ceremonies including breaking of the glass, hand blessing, dove release, jumping of the broom, and veil blessing. Another ceremony Reverend Judy performs is a baby blessing ceremony. Clients appreciate her professionalism and beautiful vows.

Las Vegas, NV 89144

Website

Website
Ceremony to Remember

Ceremony to Remember

Ceremony to Remember is a Las Vegas company that provides custom ceremonies and wedding packages to couples. Rev. Julie Nourish has over 20 years of experience and performs ceremonies including civil, spiritual, Christian, non-denominational, renewal and commitment, same-sex and interfaith, baby blessings, and memorial. Ceremony to Remember offers a variety of packages including chapel packages, Las Vegas strip packages, scenic packages, on location packages, Red Rock Canyon, and more. Clients appreciate Rev. Julie’s kindness and attentiveness.

Las Vegas, NV 89108

Website

Website

Expert Answers To Common Questions:

  1. Introduction
  2. What is a wedding officiant?
  3. What does a wedding officiant do?
  4. Can you officiate your own wedding?
  5. What do you call a person who officiates a wedding?
  6. Who can officiate a wedding?
  7. Can a notary officiate a wedding?
  8. How do you ask someone to officiate your wedding?
  9. What does the officiant say at a wedding?
  10. How much does a wedding officiant cost?
  11. How does someone become a wedding officiant?
  12. How long does it take to become a wedding officiant?
  13. What do you need to be a wedding officiant?
  14. How do I get my wedding officiant license?
  15. What should I wear to officiate a wedding?
  16. How much do wedding officiants make?
Q: Introduction
A:
Planning a wedding is a lot of work. You have numerous tasks and responsibilities. Even if you opt to hire a wedding planner, your input is required for everything. One of the decisions you need to make is who will marry you. Choosing your wedding officiant can be a challenging undertaking.

If you have a religious background and are a regular member of a church, synagogue or other house of worship, the choice is probably easy. But if not, you may want something less traditional. You can choose a professional or ask a close friend or family member if they would be willing to officiate the ceremony. These FAQs can help you make a decision about your wedding officiant.
Q: What is a wedding officiant?
A:
A wedding officiant, also called marriage officiant, is an individual with the legal authority to perform wedding ceremonies. Local judges and clergy members commonly act as wedding officiants. But, nearly anyone can obtain the necessary certification to become an officiant, although requirements vary from state to state.
Q: What does a wedding officiant do?
A:
The main role of a wedding officiant is to lead and perform the marriage ceremony. They must follow state law to ensure the union becomes official. Wedding officiants draft what they’ll say at the ceremony, often with input from the engaged couple. Some of their associated duties are signing and filing the marriage license.
Q: Can you officiate your own wedding?
A:
Officiating your own wedding is referred to as self-solemnizing. This practice is only legal in a few states, including Colorado, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Kansas, Maine, Illinois, California, and Washington, D.C. The rules governing self-solemnizing in these jurisdictions differ. All states legally recognize self-uniting marriages that are properly performed in a state where they're permitted.
Q: What do you call a person who officiates a wedding?
A:
A marriage officiant’s title depends on who they are and what they do. For example, clergy members are called reverend, father, minister, rabbi, pastor. Common titles of civil marriage officiants are judge, your honor, magistrate, or mayor. Friends and family members who get temporary officiant status usually have no title.
Q: Who can officiate a wedding?
A:
The individuals who are allowed to officiate a wedding depends on the laws of the state where the ceremony is performed. Typically, most clergy members and certain civil officers can perform marriage ceremonies. Many states also permit other individuals to obtain temporary officiant authorization or to become ordained to perform a marriage.
Q: Can a notary officiate a wedding?
A:
Public notaries may perform marriage ceremonies in only a few states. They include Florida, Maine, South Carolina, Montana, and Nevada. Of course, a notary may officiate a wedding in other states if the state they’re in allows individuals to become wedding officiants, and the notary follows those guidelines.
Q: How do you ask someone to officiate your wedding?
A:
If a couple wants a family member or close friend to officiate their wedding, there are a few creative ways to ask. Many companies that provide credentials for marriage officiants also sell “Will You Marry Us?” gift packages to help couples ask the person they’ve chosen if they'll officiate.
Q: What does the officiant say at a wedding?
A:
The couple must make a declaration of intent, saying they’re legally committing to one another and want to enter a marriage contract. Also, the officiant has to verbally signify the couple is legally wed. Other than that, the officiant has great flexibility in what to say.
Q: How much does a wedding officiant cost?
A:
Wedding officiant fees vary greatly. Some factors in determining cost include location, profession, experience, and relationship to the couple. There’s typically no charge with a personal officiant, although the couple may offer to pay for their certification. Professional officiants cost an average of $400 to $800, while newbies charge about $100 to $250.
Q: How does someone become a wedding officiant?
A:
Start with a visit or a call to your county courthouse. Ask the clerk if your state permits private individuals to become wedding officiants. If so, ask if you can be ordained online. Search for an online service. Pay and complete the form to be ordained. You may need to attend a class.
Q: How long does it take to become a wedding officiant?
A:
Online services to become ordained as a wedding officiant are usually quick and uncomplicated. Most only take about five to 10 minutes to complete the application. However, the hard copies of the necessary credentials may not arrive for about one to two weeks.
Q: What do you need to be a wedding officiant?
A:
Clergy members and civil officers who can perform wedding ceremonies by state law must meet the qualifications for their professions. Private wedding officiants who get ordained solely to perform ceremonies typically don’t need more than a credit card and online access. But, check with your state laws to learn what’s required.
Q: How do I get my wedding officiant license?
A:
It’s not necessary to have a license to become a wedding officiant in every state. However, states that allow private individuals to become officiants usually require that they be ordained. Many jurisdictions let you complete this process online, but be sure to review the applicable state and county statutes before getting ordained.
Q: What should I wear to officiate a wedding?
A:
It’s best to discuss clothing options with the couple you’re marrying. Ask if they have a preference and follow their lead. If they have no input, choose an outfit that’s suitable for the type of ceremony, whether it be formal, casual, trendy, or something else.
Q: How much do wedding officiants make?
A:
Individuals who perform weddings professionally make an average of $400 to $800 per ceremony, plus mileage fees. They may also charge a fee to participate in the wedding rehearsal. Other optional services, like personalized ceremonies and custom embellishments, may incur additional costs. It’s also customary to tip the officiant.