Weddingbee boards

okay..so ive been with my boyfriend for almost five and a half years now. We're not officially engaged, but we talk about it all the time and have pretty solid ideas of what we want. We grew up together in the same church and the pastor of our church was there for 13 years or so. He moved about 5 years ago and we havent spoken to him in a while. We're not close with the current pastor and havent spoken to the interim pastor (before current pastor) in a while either. My grandfather is a huge Christian influence in our lives and we would love for him to marry us.

Have any of you been married by a family member/friend? & if so, what did he/she have to do to become "certified?" About how long did this take? I know the details may vary by the state (we live in georgia) but im not sure on the specifics or anything.

Thanks girls! :)

i tried googl-ing a few things but most of the results say "get certified online." It kind of pushes me in the opposite direction though. I want it to be legal and online certification seems iffy. I would really like to have a close relationship with the person who marries us. Hopefully i'll come across some clear answers soon :)

Thanks!

My brother is marrying us.  He got ordained through Rose Ministries (I think) in NY and we are getting married in FL...but I do know it varies by state.

WDWBride:: Thank you! i'll definitely look into it :)

No problem. Check out this link from their website with rules for different states:

http://openordination.org/state_faq.php

I always remember what the name of the ministry is because he got a large rose tattoo done to commemorate it!

We plan on having my FI 91 yr old grandpa marry us! I really hope he could by next Oct. However he get sick from time to time. If not then were thinking maybe his uncle. Hes a good speaker. :)

WDWBride: Thanks again! You've been a big help! :)

Mrs. Wheeler: that is too sweet!! i hope your grandpa remains healthy and is able to marry yall!!

My grandfather will be performing our ceremony but he's been a Methodist Minister since way before I was born. He, along with a Catholic Priest officiated my uncle & aunt's wedding too.

As for seeing if a family/friend can officate for you, there are a couple of different ways:

You should talk to your local marriage bureau or probate court and see if someone can get ordained through Universal Life Church or get a 'one day only' type of officiant's license. To see more about the ULC and becoming ordained, or to find out more go to: http://www.ulc.net/index.php?page=ordain 

In which states can Universal Life Church ministers perform marriages? See the link below:

http://ulc.net/wedding_laws_by_state.htm

Please keep in mind I do not know anything more about this church (nor am I affiliated with them in any way). I just have heard others talk about having friends/family ordained through them so I thought I'd post it as an option.

Bon Chance,

Bella

In my city, they will allow anyone to be licensed to perform one ceremony in their life. I would love to have a family member or close friend marry us.

thanks yall!! my grandfather is an ordained deacon. so im hoping that will make it easier. we're going to talk to someone at the probate court and im definitely researching online. thanks for all your help!! :)