Let us Marry you in your way.

Officiant Service

The bride and groom are welcome to select an officiant. John and Heather are registered officiants ordained through the Universal Church of Life, available as an option to officiate your wedding ceremony. We will work closely with whomever you choose to ensure he or she is comfortable and prepared for your big day. We are licensed to officiate your wedding and execute the legal requirements for marriage. However, all other officiants, ministers, rabbis, priests, reverends, or pandits are welcome to preside over your ceremony and fulfill the legalities.

The ceremony is the most intimate and important part of your wedding day. So, to officiate and host the ceremony you envision, it is essential to meet the bride and groom at least twice before the big day. The meetings are to enable us to learn about your love story and make sure your plans are clear and understood by all the people involved. We want to help you make the planning process—and your special day—run smoothly, however we can. For this reason, we offer in-house officiant services (a separate service from venue rental).

The legal requirements for the state of Alabama are in the section below. Please review the three links so you are informed of the requirements, timeline, and government fee.

For more information please reach out through our contact form.

 

  • Description text Alabama Code - Section 30-1-7: PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO SOLEMNIZE MARRIAGES (a) Generally. Marriages may be solemnized by any licensed minister of the gospel in regular communion with the Christian church or society of which the minister is a member; by an active or retired judge of the Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, Court of Civil Appeals, any circuit court, or any district court within this state; by a judge of any federal court; or by an active or retired judge of probate. View the Alabama Statutes on the official state site.goes here

  • Visit .gov website: Alabama Marriage Certificate: https://dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/

    • Fill out the marriage form accurately and completely, failure to do so will result in additional recording fees.  

    • All marriage license applicants must provide their correct and entire legal name. Photographic identification is required for verifying information required for the issuance of the license. Acceptable identification should be official government-issued identification that provides sufficient proof that the applicant is who the applicant represents he or she is. Acceptable forms of identification include, but are not limited to the following: driver's license, passport, military ID, an original certified copy of a state-issued birth certificate, other state-issued ID, U.S. Government issued ID (including Permanent Resident Card ("Green Card"), Employment Authorization Card, etc.), or other identification issued by a state of the United States, by a foreign country or state, or by an agency or a subdivision of a state of the United States or of a foreign country or state.

    • Bring your government identification and the completed marriage certificate with you to the in-person wedding planning meeting at The Avon View with your officiant.

  • Once form is completed by both parties, it must be presented to the officiant conducting the ceremony.

    The officiant is a registered notary public and will notarize your marriage certificate after the ceremony is completed. As soon as the form is notarized the couple is considered married.

    TIMELINE: The marriage certificate must be filed with the local Probate Office within 30 calendar days to have a valid marriage.  The officiant can file the notarized marriage license along with your $75 fee on your behalf. Simply indicate on the registration form that you DO want the officiant and legal documentation filing services.