Ceremony without Officiant

chlorinejunky

In Colorado, you do not need an officiant to sign the marriage certificate - the bride and groom can sign on the officiant line and essentially marry themselves.Has anyone ever attended a ceremony without an officiant?  Or have and ideas where you would start?

Kristin789

Well, you don't just "sign on the officiant line."  You have to apply for special paperwork in order to "marry yourselves" instead of having an officiant do the ceremony.And I would think that you would use a regular ceremony, taking turns reading information, reading vows, etc.Here's an actual ceremony script from two people who were married in a self-uniting ceremony - first, they presented the EXPLANATION, taking turns -and then the presented the VOWS, taking turns -and then they face the guests who have witnessed the wedding ceremony...I think it's very beautiful.http://www.stephandevan.com/2009/08/ceremony.html

LesPaul

It is true that in Colorado you can essentially sign the marriage license and be married.  It is called self-solomnization and is only done in a few states.  However, you can have an officiant in Colorado if you want one - there is another section to the marriage license where the officiant fills out some additional information and two witnesses sign as well.  The officiant cannot be just anyone, but must be recognized by the state as able to perform marriages. I suppose you and FI could just stand there and do your own vows, but it would be much nicer to have an officiant provide the framework of the ceremony.

handfast4me

My former boss got married in Colorado this way.  I didn't attend (didn't know her at that time) but I've seen the video, and it was quite moving.  The groom has since passed away, so watching that video was even more moving knowing that he was no longer with us.