If you've ever dreamed of saying the words "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife (or husband and husband, or wife and wife)!" or wanted to have your wedding ceremony performed by someone who is not a complete stranger, then consider getting ordained over the Internet. It takes about five minutes, is generally free, and in return you can legally perform wedding ceremonies and be called Minister.
A well-known and popular way to be ordained online is through the Universal Life Church. Nondenominational and nondogmatic, they charge no fee for online ordination, just submit your application and they get back to you within 24 hours. They also have a list of state-by-state legal considerations to check out.
Once you're ordained, don't go crazy with the baptisms, OK?
Erickson Beamon
My husband and I asked my Uncle, a retired Catholic Deacon, to perform our wedding ceremony. We registered with the county we live in, and he was set up for the day.
My brother-in-law and his new wife did the same, but with each of their fathers performing a joint ceremony (which was beautiful and very sentimental).
If the county in which you live won't register an officiant-for-the-day, then the Universal Life folks are a good alternative. A friend of mine just got ordained through them so that as soon as it's legal (soon, yay!) she can perform the marriage of her sister to her long-time partner.
I think it's a beautiful way to include a special person in your life in your wedding in a very direct and active way. I wouldn't do it differently at all if I had it to do over.
1I just did this last week!
2Hehehe Whip, I was just thinking about you!
3i really wanted a rabbi to perform the ceremony but my fiance just isn't as religious as I am. so instead of totally crushing my parents and telling them that. We are hoping that one of his best friends will perform the ceremony for us.
4This is soooooooo old. My friends and I were doing this 10 years ago in high school. We did all sorts of crazy baptisms and "weddings".
Oh god I can't believe I just said that.
So yeah, about half of my friends are "ordained". Go figger.
5One of the good things about getting married in Pennsylvania is that we get to marry ourselves with a quaker license. No officiant needed at all.
6I'm glad they scrutinize each applicant so well.
7Any Ugly Betty fans here? I LOVED the episode where Mark got ordained to perform Wilhemina's wedding in the hospital!!!!!
8You can now call me Reverend Moriah, thank you!
9"Don't go crazy with the baptisms"
HAHAHA!! I'm picturing a giddy, half-crazed geek rampaging around San Francisco pouring her water bottle on innocent bystanders. PWNed! Baptized! Ohhh dear.
10Joey did this for Monica and Chandler's wedding!! and then he married Phoebe & Mike!!
(on friends)
11i've always wanted to do that! maybe one day i will!
12i got ordained at the www.themonastery.org. It was super easy, and just an email reply away. Now im gonna marry my freinds for free!
13I know a guy who actually did this once, years ago, for a giggle..why? So he could be "Reverend So-and-So" on his drivers license, strictly for the effect and resultant humour.
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