This South Carolina Minister is Marrying LGBTQ+ Couples for Free

'Weddings w/TMS' is supporting the South Carolina LGBTQIA+ community with free marriage license signings

 

 

AMM Minister Tiji Murphy-Santiago, a South Carolina wedding officiant and the owner of Weddings w/TMS, is stepping up to support the LGBTQ+ community with free marriage license signing services. 

 

Reverend T, as she’s affectionately called, started offering free ‘simple license signings’ earlier this year to couples in Lexington, South Carolina, as nationwide threats against LGBTQ+ civil rights began to increase. 

 

“I consider myself an LGBTQIA+ ally,” Rev. T tells us. “I felt powerless to help the LGBTQIA+ community from the recent attacks on their rights, including marriage. There are at least 9 states trying to reverse same-sex marriage rights (Idaho, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas)," she says.

"Many in the LGBTQIA+ community are now considering getting married in case the same-sex marriage rulings are reversed. I do not want the lack of money holding anyone back from getting married, so my services are free.” 

 

 

Note: At the time of writing, resolutions urging SCOTUS to overturn Obergefell v Hodges (the case that made same-sex marriage legal across the country in 2015) have been considered in Idaho, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Lawmakers in Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas have considered legislation to allow covenant marriages. Learn more about current risks and protections for marriage equality: You’ll Want to Keep an Eye on This Marriage Legislation in 2025

 

 

Rev. T’s concerns have been shared by other AMM Ministers and officiants across the country, many of whom have hosted free events and group weddings to help LGBTQ+ couples in their states. (Including PNW-based AMM Minister Jimmie Berguin, aka Officiant Jimmie, and PA-based AMM Minister Lori Prashker-Thomas, of Ceremonies by Lori.)  

 

What sets Rev. T apart is that for now, her offer to marry queer couples for free isn’t limited to a single date or time – the offer is ongoing. She says she’ll continue marrying these couples for free “until members of the LGBTQIA+ community no longer feel threatened by our government.” 

 

It’s a generous and loving offer, and one that’s been greatly appreciated by members of her community in Lexington, and the surrounding greater Columbia, South Carolina metro area. 

 

“The response has been great,” she tells us. “Most people can't believe that it is actually a free service.”

 

Related: How to Officiate a Sign & Go Marriage Ceremony

 

A couple signs their marriage license during a simple signing ceremony in the Weddings w/TMS Wedding Room. (Photo courtesy of Minister Murphy-Santiago)

 

 

Each simple signing ceremony is held in Reverend T’s ‘Wedding Room,’ a warm, welcoming room where she can perform intimate and private services for couples from all faiths and walks of life. The location in central South Carolina is convenient, not far from the state capital of Columbia and several neighboring towns.

 

Rev. T tells us that this safe space “offers couples a special place designed for intimate ceremonies. I change the decor based on the season,” she adds, “and I also allow couples to bring in their own decorations. I do not charge couples extra to use the wedding room if I'm officiating. It is also available to rent, for a small fee, if couples use another officiant.”

 

 

Weddings w/TMS also offers a private wedding venue in Lexington, SC, providing a safe space for all couples to get married in an intimate setting. The room features sweet wedding decor that changes with the season, and comfortably fits 4 to 6 people. It's also available to rent, for use by other officiants in the area.  (Photo courtesy of Minister Murphy-Santiago)

 

 

For Rev. T, officiating isn’t just a job – it’s a calling. She’s been performing weddings for 21 years and genuinely loves the work. She became ordained as a Baptist Minister in 2004, and was later ordained with American Marriage Ministries in 2021. Performing marriages has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her ministry. “I would do all weddings for free if I could,” she says.

 

In fact, she recently expanded her free marriage license signing offerings with a giveaway available to any couple in her area that can’t afford a traditional wedding ceremony – she’s offering one free license signing per month, through the rest of the year. Considering how expensive the average wedding is these days, this monthly giveaway is a true act of love.

 

Learn more about Reverend T and how to support Weddings w/TMS, her Lexington wedding officiant business, by clicking the links below.

 

• Visit Online: Weddings With TMS
• Follow Weddings w/TMS on Instagram: @weddingswithtms
• Find Weddings w/TMS on Facebook: Weddings w/TMS
• Connect on Linkedin

 

 

About Minister Tiji Murphy-Santiago (Reverend T) & Weddings w/TMS

 

Minister Tiji Murphy-Santiago (Reverend T) is a licensed and ordained Baptist Minister, and an ordained Minister with American Marriage Ministries. Her officiant business, Weddings With TMS (Weddings w/TMS) is a veteran, woman, and minority owned business located in Lexington, South Carolina, not far from Columbia.

 

Reverend T specializes in weddings and commitment ceremonies of all kinds, including private (non-disclosures) ceremonies; small elopements; interfaith, nonreligious, and religious weddings; vow renewal ceremonies; themed weddings; destination weddings; and more.

 

She is also featured vendor on the Harriet Hancock Center's website, an LGBT resource center in Columbia, SC. See her listing here.

 

 

Minister Tiji Murphy-Santiago, affectionately called Rev. T, has been officiating marriage for 21 years and counting. She specializes in all types of weddings and commitment ceremonies, including small and large gatherings, simple license signing, interfaith weddings, destination weddings, and more. (Photo courtesy of Minister Murphy-Santiago)

 

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More AMM Minister Features

 

• A queer Tennessee Minister talks about the importance of online ordination, and the state’s discriminatory new law
   
• AMM Minister delivers message of love at Idaho Pride event, amidst threats from far-right groups and others
   
• Creating ‘Spiritual But Not Religious’ Weddings & Lasting Marriages with Rev. Dr. Samora Smith
   

Become a minister today!

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More LGBTQ Wedding Ideas & Inspiration

 

• 12 Fun Nontraditional Ideas for a Lesbian Wedding
   
• Short Inclusive LGBTQ+ Wedding Ceremony Script
   
• How to Officiate a Same-Sex Wedding Ceremony
   

 

Asked to officiate a same-gender wedding? We're here to help you plan the perfect ceremony! Click the article linked above to get started.

 

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