Have you been asked to perform a wedding in Grand Rapids? If you're planning to officiate a marriage ceremony, congratulations! Presiding over a wedding is a serious honor. That said, it's not one that comes without some considerable responsibility. With this in mind, we'll delve into the process in detail to make sure you’re up to speed on everything you need to know. Below, we’ll cover how to get in touch with the relevant officials before the ceremony, how to prepare for the wedding ceremony itself, and how to ensure the union is legally recognized in Grand Rapids.
1 Become an Ordained Minister in Grand Rapids
Your first step will be to get ordained as a ULC minister (if you haven’t already). Ordination with the ULC is available online, free of charge, and provides the authority to perform legal wedding ceremonies! The process is simple and requires just a couple minutes to complete. To get started, click the button below!
Key Info for Ministers in Grand Rapids
- ULC Ordination Accepted:
- Yes
- Minister Registration Required:
- No
- Documents Required:
- N/A
- Minister's Residency:
- Irrelevant
- Minister's Minimum Age:
- 18
2 Confirm Wedding Officiant Requirements in Grand Rapids
With your ordination officially registered, you'll next need to get in touch with the authority in charge of marriages in your area. Please refer to the next section to find contact information for the office in Grand Rapids.
When reaching out, politely explain that you’re an ordained minister wanting to know what types of documentation you will need to show them in order to perform a wedding in their district.
- Office Address:
-
300 Monroe Avenue NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 - Office Phone Number:
- (616) 632-7640
- Office Website:
- Grand Rapids Office Website
3 Order Necessary Documentation to Officiate in Grand Rapids
With that information in hand, you can head over to our online catalog to order any documents or supplies required to officiate in your area. For Grand Rapids, we typically advise ministers pick up a Classic Wedding Package, but what you end up ordering will ultimately depend on the guidance you receive from local officials.
4 Officiate a Wedding and Fill Out the Grand Rapids Marriage License
With all of that taken care of, it's time to focus on the fun part: the wedding! If this will be your first time stepping up to the altar (or even if you have some officiant experience under your belt) be sure to visit our wedding training center for some helpful tips and tools.
After the ceremony is over, your final key task it to ensure the marriage license gets filled out correctly and returned to the issuing office. In Grand Rapids, a marriage license has validity that varies by county, there is a mandatory 3-day waiting period, and the completed license must be returned before its listed expiration date. To read more about how to fill out the license, please visit our marriage license training guide.
- Marriage License Waiting Period:
- 3 Days
- Marriage License Valid For:
- Varies by county
- Return Within:
- 10 Days
How to Write a Wedding Officiant Script in Grand Rapids
Officiants in Grand Rapids frequently contact us for guidance on what to say during a wedding ceremony after obtaining their online ordination.
Once all the legal aspects are sorted, the exciting part starts – planning and performing the ceremony itself! We recognize that this might be a bit daunting, especially for first-time wedding officiants. But don't be alarmed, we are here to help!
For Grand Rapids wedding officiants, we strongly suggest relying on our previously mentioned helpful wedding guides. Additionally, we recommend utilizing the various free resources on our website, including our wedding ceremony script generator. This special tool enables you to input specific details about the planned ceremony and the couple's preferences, resulting in a completely customized wedding script.
Take a moment to explore some of our online sample wedding scripts as well. These pre-written ceremony scripts can either be printed and used as-is, or serve as additional inspiration as you write your own script. Either way, they are comprehensive resources for any wedding ceremony you're asked to officiate. And don't overlook the fact that if you need wedding officiant clothing or other supplies for the big day, our wedding catalog is available exclusively to those ordained by the ULC!
What to Know About Grand Rapids Wedding Ceremonies
If you're looking for a beautiful setting to exchange your vows, you can't go wrong with Grand Rapids. The city is home to some of the most beautiful weddings venues in the state, from rustic barns to chic ballrooms to picturesque gardens. There is also a variety of great hotels and restaurants to accommodate your guests. And don't forget to take advantage of the city's many scenic locations for your wedding photos!
