7 Responses to “Does the officiate to my wedding need to be the pastor at the church we’re marrying at?”

1. Mary B Says:
   December 10th, 2009 at 12:37 am

   This question has 2 parts:
   1) The policy of the church regarding who can perform the spiritual (religious) ceremony. It sounds like you simply need to talk to the current pastor and see if he is willing to let your future dad-in-law perform the religious service. This totally depends on the church, (and whether the fee for the service, which is usually paid to the clergy staff, is still paid). They might also consider co-officiating.
   2) The legal status of the officiant with regard to your state’s registration rules. Below is a link to check who can legally marry people in your state. Your future d-i-l can probably register with your local marriage bureau.
   OR – the pastor of the church can sign the marriage license, and your future dad-in-law can still officiate.

   It should be easy – just have the d-i-l check with the current pastor, but do your homework first about legal registration.
   Happy wedding!

2. QuiteNewHere Says:
   December 10th, 2009 at 12:37 am

   I dont see any problem but run it by the licensing bureau where you are getting the marriage license, and lastly the church where you are getting married.

3. Jeff W Says:
   December 10th, 2009 at 12:37 am

   it can be anyone with a liecence

4. Avis B Says:
   December 10th, 2009 at 12:37 am

   There are two factors here . .

   Is this gentlemen still recognized as a member of the clergy in the state where the wedding will be held? Some states require that the minister have "an active congregation."

   Will the rules and regulations of this particular church permit someone else, other than the presiding minister, to conduct a wedding ceremony? Contact the Church’s Secretary or current minister.

   Answered by: A Certified wedding specialist / A Professional bridal consultant / A Wedding ceremony officiant

5. briteyes Says:
   December 10th, 2009 at 12:37 am

   It varies by church. At the congregation where I work, our ministers are available to perform ceremonies, but many outside couples will bring their own clergy. We have no policy against this.

   When you first speak to the church staff or rental coordinator about booking your wedding, ask them what their policies are regarding outside clergy. If your future father-in-law is involved with the congregation and has preached in their pulpit, they’re probably quite familiar with him and you should have some leeway even if they *do* have an official policy.

   If you run into problems, you can also have your future father-in-law officiate alongside the current pastor. Last year, our minister co-officiated a wedding with the bride’s father (a retired minister from a different denomination).

6. JedaSoul<3 Says:
   December 10th, 2009 at 12:37 am

   We had a friend marry us in a church that wasnt his.
   As long as you are paying to rent out the church I dont see why they would have a problem with it.

7. It's Me Says:
   December 10th, 2009 at 12:37 am

   You will need to check on two things…the law in the state you are marrying. Some states have different requirements for the officiate. Then you need to clear it with the church.

   I think it would be a great idea to have your future FIL marry you. It could bring you closer together, if you are not already. My brother wanted an elder in his congregation marry him, but he lived in Kansas, and they married in Texas. The State wouldn’t allow it because this elder wasn’t an elder in Texas, so he gave the wedding talk, and they had an elder from my sister-in-law’s congregation come up and actually marry them. It worked out well. They got they wanted and followed the laws of the land.

   All the best to you!!

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