Post # 1
Member
90 posts
Worker bee
I’d like to preface this by saying we’ve run into a number of problems. First, we were planning to do ceremony at a church and reception at a ballroom. There was a fire at the church and we are no longer able to get married there. We elected to do a combined ceremony/reception at the ballroom which is actually costing us a whole lot more money (to rent the additional time). Also, had the best man drop out so we had to re-arrange the bridal party and the flower girl dress didn’t get ordered (currently getting that worked out).
Anyway, the officiant (who we hired through the church) isn’t going to be able to do the ceremony. It’s a scheduling conflict … though he has had to re-arrange an awful lot of weddings due to the fire. I started looking into other officiants in the area and it would be appear that most are already booked – wedding is less than 2 weeks away. I am looking for suggestions.
Someone I know suggested getting married at courthouse ahead of time and then changing to reception only type thing. I don’t think that would really work as the invitations have already gone out and they definitely imply ceremony and reception. Also, bridal party has already gotten their dresses and I’d hate for them to have spent that money and then not walk down and aisle and such.
Post # 3
Member
295 posts
Helper bee
Can you call and get a JOP to officate?
Post # 4
Member
46612 posts
Honey Beekeeper
@JacobsMama: Does your state allow a friend or famly member to be “ordained” online and conduct the service for you?
ETA http://www.theamm.org/perform-marriage/missouri
Post # 5
Member
731 posts
Busy bee
So you could get married at the court house and still have a “stand in” ceremony in front of your guests so it looks like its your first time??
Or you could google for non- affiliated officiants I know that around here (St. Louis MO) there are a lot of people that do it as a business.
Post # 6
Member
90 posts
Worker bee
My state does allow a person to be ordained, however I’m not sure we know anyone who would be able to do it. I have contacted a number of non-affiliated officiants in the area … all busy. I did try contacting the officant to see if we can work something out with the time.
We could have a “stand in ceremony” but we would still need someone to do it. The friend mentioned going to the courthouse ahead of time, and just doing a reception. The problem with that is the invitations clearly imply a ceremony and the bridal party has already gotten all their stuff, etc.
Post # 7
Member
1270 posts
Bumble bee
We had our friend marry us. We are in California. Check some online resources to get ordained. That is what our friend did.
Post # 8
Member
731 posts
Busy bee
Right what I was saying is get married at the court house then have a friend or family member “act out” the ceremony- no one has to know that you have already gotten legally married
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