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Officiants
List of Metafilter members who are ordained to perform wedding ceremonies
Feel free to click a member's name and then contact them directly through the "send MeFi Mail" link on their profile page.
This is a sortable table. Click the arrows to sort by column
Mefite | Location | Licensed In | Ordained By (where applicable) | Willing to Travel? | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
anastasiav | Portland, ME | ME | N/A | Yes, any location south of Bangor. | "I'm a Notary, which means I can perform your wedding anywhere in Maine" |
bedhead | New York, NY | (See Notes) | Universal Life Church | Yes, (within NY state) | "I'm not licensed by the state, but they accept ULC-ordained ministers." |
bitter-girl.com | Cleveland, OH | OH | Universal Life Church | Yes | |
chicobangs | New York, NY | Licensed everywhere accepting ULC ordination | Universal Life Church | NY/NJ | "I don't mind travel, but the closer to NYC, the better your chances of getting me available. Also happy to set up trivia-themed receptions if that's your thing." |
churl | Portland, OR, USA | Licensed everywhere accepting ULC ordination | Universal Life Church | Yes | |
cooker girl
(Candace Janidlo) |
Cincinnati, OH | OH | Universal Life Monastery
(formerly ULC) |
Yes (see notes) | "Approved by the Secretary of State of Ohio to perform marriages.
Willing to travel depending on schedule and distance. I will include or not include religiosity as the couple prefers. I can put together the entire ceremony, the couple can write the whole thing, or we can collaborate." |
CrystalDave | Seattle, WA | Everywhere accepting ULC ordination (I have the card) | Universal Life Monastery | Yes (see notes) | "Willing to travel anywhere within ORCA card range." |
DirtyOldTown | Schaumburg, IL | Everywhere accepting ULC ordination (I have the card) | Universal Life Monastery | Greater Chicagoland area, mostly, though if there's a party... | "This is my second year doing this on a sort of semi-pro basis. My better half, MeFi's own Comrade Doll is also an event planner who can occasionally offer advice. I've also been known to write tailored wedding scripts: gamer-centric, punk rock, whatever you like." |
Faint of Butt | Baltimore, MD | MD, DE, PA | Universal Life Church | Yes | "I can perform your ceremony in character as the dread pirate Black Dog Nate, and by arrangement can bring a whole crew of pirates (http://www.piratesforsail.com) to sing for your entertainment." |
Greg Nog | Louisville, KY | Everywhere ULC is accepted; also registered in New York City | Universal Life Monastery | Yes. (See notes) | "Travel: Within a couple hours of Louisville, or I guess beyond that if you feel like paying for airfare
Ceremony-wise, I'm happy to be as religious or secular as the couple prefers; pagan and raised Unitarian Universalist, but can pretend to be a member of any denomination's clergy if needed as part of a Wacky Caper or Plan So Crazy It Just Might Work" |
item | Asheville, NC | Everywhere accepting ULC ordination. (I have the card) | Universal Life Church | Yes | Have performed several non-religious ceremonies and am most comfortable sticking with such. |
jessamyn | Randolph, VT | VT | elected Justice of the Peace | Yes! | Can perform your wedding anywhere in VT |
Lynsey
(or Reverend Mother Lynsey if you have a sense of Dune-like humor.) |
CA: In the 707 | CA | Universal Life Church | Yes | "Mostly geographic limitations. Willing to travel from Mendocino to San Francisco and inland as far as Napa. No Solano county, sorry! I have an experienced wedding photographer and beach venue, including lodging available, if desired. Love wins!" |
Major Matt Mason Dixon (William Mize) | St. Petersburg, FL | FL, and Everywhere ULC is accepted | Licensed Notary Public in Florida. Also ordained by the Universal Life Church | Yes | "I prefer to stick to the West Coast of Florida, but hey! Everything in life is negotiable!" |
NoraReed | Albuquerque, NM | Everywhere ULC is accepted | Universal Life Church | Yes | "Will travel within Rail Runner distance of Albuquerque or further if you can transport me." |
stynxno | Woodcliff Lake, NJ | Everywhere | Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) | Yes | "As an ordained clergyperson serving an active congregation,I can easily register as an officiant anywhere. I'm a Christian and can be Jesus-y." |
Helpful Info
- Greg Nog notes that some US states (such as New Hampshire and Missouri) do not require an officiant to be previously registered/licensed in that state. Prospective officiants may obtain a per-marriage license. See U.S. Marriage License Laws by State to learn how marriage licensing works in your US locality.
- Related Ask MetaFilter thread: Getting married in Georgia in two weeks. Friend is officiating. Legal?
US States That Don't Require An Officiant
- Colorado allows "self-solemnization" without requiring a special form of application or witnesses.
- Washington DC
- Pennsylvania. Ask MetaFilter thread: Help finding wedding officiant
- Wisconsin (According to wikipedia: "a form must be signed that states that the government issuing the marriage license cannot guarantee that the marriage will be recognized in all contexts.")