Are you planning your dream wedding at Cabin Heaven and looking for the perfect person to officiate your ceremony? We understand that having a close friend or family member perform the ceremony can add a personal touch to your special day. However, in North Carolina, there are certain legal requirements to consider when choosing your wedding officiant.
The wedding officiant is an important add-on to your package. We are happy to offer officiants that align with your beliefs. We support religious and non religious weddings.
It's essential to know that in North Carolina, getting ordained online is not recognized as legally valid. This means that a friend or family member cannot simply go online and get ordained to officiate your wedding. But don't worry - we've got you covered with some alternative options to make your ceremony just as memorable and legally binding.
Option 1: Choose an Officiant
Let our professional officiants handle everything for you, making it the easiest and most hassle-free choice. List of officiants
Option 2: Pre-Wedding Magistrate Ceremony
If you'd like your friend or family member to officiate, you can choose to have a pre-wedding magistrate ceremony at the courthouse. This legal marriage will allow anyone, ordained online or not, to read your ceremony script during the main event.
Option 3: Professional Officiant Assistance
You can have a professional, legally authorized minister or officiant perform a simple ceremony at Cabin Heaven. This ceremony can include the essential "I dos" and a pronouncement of marriage in front of two witnesses. This way, your friend or family member can participate in a meaningful way while ensuring the legality of your marriage. Even if you prefer a friend or family member to officiate, the officiant can be present to ensure your union is legally sound.
Considerations When Choosing Your Officiant
If you've got your heart set on having a friend or family member conduct the ceremony, here are some questions to consider:
Do you want to ensure that your marriage is legally recognized?
Does your friend or family member know the proper sequence of events in a wedding ceremony?
Are they comfortable handling microphone checks and coordinate cues for the DJ seamlessly?
Are they familiar with the protocols of working with a professional wedding coordinator?
Do you want a ceremony that will leave your guests in awe, without adding stress and anxiety for your loved ones?
Would you prefer a ceremony crafted by an experienced wedding officiant?
At Cabin Heaven, we understand how important it is to have a ceremony that reflects your love story and fulfills all legal requirements. That's why we can connect you with a professional wedding officiant who is fully and legally ordained by a recognized church or religious denomination. Remember, having a minister doesn't mean you must have a religious ceremony; your ceremony can still be tailored to your preferences.
With our help, you can ensure a beautiful, stress-free, and legally binding wedding ceremony that will be cherished forever. Your friend or family member can still play a significant role in your celebration, making it even more special and personal.
The State of North Carolina actually says that marriages may be performed by "an ordained minister of any religious denomination, a minister authorized by a church, or a magistrate." (NCGS 51-1). Furthermore, a "church" is legally defined as an organization which has a "distinct legal existence, established places of worship, regular congregations and ordained ministers selected after completing prescribed courses of study". In other words, ministers must have been ordained by a "brick-and-mortar" church (IRS Publication 1828). Unfortunately, there are a number of practicing ministers in NC with online or “mail order” ordinations. While the legal status of those marriages may never be questioned, there is the chance that they could be considered invalid in a court of law.
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We're here to guide you through this essential aspect of your wedding planning, and together, we'll create a truly unforgettable and meaningful ceremony at Cabin Heaven.
In the meantime, we wanted to invite you to start using our wedding portal! It's packed with helpful tools, including a wedding timeline to keep you on track with all the tasks for your big day. We've also included plenty of suggestions and ideas if you complete the wedding vision section. We're thrilled to be launching this feature, and we hope it proves valuable to you. Don't forget to check it out!
Here's the link: https://www.thecabinheaven.com/account/get-started
Warmest wishes,
Zan + Lacy