AMERICAN WEDDINGS BLOG
Stay up to date with the latest wedding ceremony trends, script writing inspiration, tips and advice for first-time officiants, and news that matters to couples and wedding ministers.
Stay up to date with the latest wedding ceremony trends, script writing inspiration, tips and advice for first-time officiants, and news that matters to couples and wedding ministers.
Published Monday, May. 23rd, 2022
Listen now:
Don’t get us wrong – we LOVE weddings. (This is the American Weddings blog, after all.)
But sometimes couples want to get married without a wedding ceremony!
Sometimes a couple wants to get married in secret or they feel spontaneous and want to elope. Sometimes they’re about to be deployed, can’t afford a ceremony, or they just don’t want one.
Related: Planning a Secret Wedding (Is Easier Than You Think)
Whatever the reason, many couples find themselves asking the same question on the way to get their marriage license…
You definitely don’t have to have a traditional ceremony to get married, or even a non-traditional one! However...
However, you will need to:
Many wedding officiants call this type of marriage service a 'just make it legal' ceremony, a 'sign & go' ceremony, or 'signing only' ceremony.
Learn about the Sign & Go Marriage Ceremony
The only exceptions to these requirements are if you marry in a state that allows couples to perform their own ceremonies (called self solemnizing), or if you marry in Alabama (where you’ll need to find a notary to complete your Marriage Certificate).
As long as you meet the legal requirements for marriage, how you celebrate getting married and the wording you choose is up to you!
That means you can skip a traditional ceremony and choose a quick sign-and-go ceremony instead. Just make sure you have a valid and completed marriage license!
Related: Are there legal wording requirements for a wedding ceremony?
...
5 ways to get married without a wedding ceremony: Whether you want to elope alone, invite a few guests, or skip straight to signing the marriage license, these ideas offer creative alternatives that feel just right!
Love this article? Pin it!
Become a Wedding Officiant with Our Free Online Ordination!