How to Perform a Wedding in Utah

3 Utah Officiant Requirements

After you've contacted your marriage authority, you should visit our online store to purchase whatever documentation will be required. We typically advise ministers in Utah to get an Ordination Package. While minister registration is not required in the state of Utah, you may be asked to present proof of your ordination before your county clerk will accept any marriage you perform as having been legally solemnized; additionally, having that proof of ordination can provide a great deal of peace-of-mind for the couple you plan to marry. Additionally, please attempt to leave at least 3 weeks between the date of the wedding ceremony and your order, to ensure that you receive all of your materials in advance.

4 How to get Married in Utah

Utah's Top Wedding Spot

Sandstone arch in Canyonlands National Park

Now that you've done all of the above, you are ready to perform the wedding! Be sure that the couple has picked up their Utah marriage license from the appropriate office. This license is valid for 30 days, but there is no mandatory waiting period between when the couple picks up the marriage license in Utah and when the ceremony may legally be conducted. Please be aware that the signed license must be returned to the issuing office within 14 days after the ceremony has been conducted.

At the Universal Life Church we receive several calls from wedding officiants in Utah, after they've received their license to marry by getting ordained online, asking for guidance on how to perform a wedding ceremony. Once the legal matters have been taken care of, officiating a wedding (while a sometimes-daunting task) can be a great deal of fun. We would suggest that new Utah wedding ministers concerned about the ceremony peruse one of our helpful wedding guides. The minister training section of our website should offer a helpful refresher for more experienced ministers.

5 Planning a Wedding in Utah

So, you’re going to be performing a wedding in Utah; there’s a few things you'll want to keep in mind for this unique state. For example, 39 percent of weddings here take place during the summer months, so outdoor wedding venues in Utah may need to be booked far in advance between June and August. Much of Utah is a semi-arid climate, so make sure to dress appropriately (including comfortable footwear), especially if the couple is considering homestead or greenhouse wedding venues that don’t offer much protection from the heat. People often wonder what is appropriate to charge for their service as a minister in Utah, but the truth is that there is no simple answer. The level of involvement the couple expects of the minister, as well as prior experience or even the distance one must travel to reach the venue can all influence a minister’s fees.