{"id":18449,"name":"Little Rock","state_id":8,"county_id":64,"created_at":"2019-08-20T10:37:02.566-07:00","updated_at":"2026-06-11T13:01:11.367-07:00","meta_description":"Learn how to perform wedding ceremonies in Little Rock, AR for ministers and couples. Learn about online ordination, marriage licenses, venue booking tips, ceremony planning and more.","head_tag":"A guide to officiating wedding ceremonies in Little Rock","tagline":"A Rocking Little (Rock) Wedding","intro_section":"\u003cp\u003eSo, you\u0026rsquo;re planning a wedding in Little Rock! Many Americans know the Arkansas state capitol as the Clintons\u0026rsquo; old stomping grounds, but LR has much going on than its old familial ties with Uncle Bill.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis Southern gem is renowned for its awesome food scene, epic hiking just outside the city, and its plethora of local breweries and wineries -- all of which can be incorporated into your special day. (Picture yourself getting married at Hot Springs National Park, eating Southern barbecue and drinking local craft beer.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhatever kind of wedding you\u0026rsquo;re imagining, Little Rock has what it takes to make your nuptial dreams come true. So let\u0026rsquo;s get started by taking care of the required paperwork so you can focus on planning your one-of-a-kind Little Rock wedding.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","officiant_section":"\u003ch3\u003eStep\u0026nbsp;1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLet\u0026rsquo;s start with the ordainment process: Ministers who are ordained online\u0026nbsp;are recognized in Arkansas, including those ordained with \u003cstrong\u003eAmerican Marriage Ministries (AMM)\u003c/strong\u003e. Getting ordained with AMM is quick and easy and should only take you a couple of minutes to complete.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/weddings-by-state/arkansas/get-ordained\"\u003eGet Ordained Online in Arkansas with AMM\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMINISTER REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter ordination, all ministers must\u0026nbsp;register with a\u0026nbsp;County Clerk\u0026#39;s office before the marriage ceremony takes place. You can register in any county, and your credentials will be recognized throughout the state. Just remember:\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eMinisters must file their ministry credentials with the county clerk for a small fee of approximately $50 before the wedding.\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt may take the clerk\u0026#39;s office up to 30 days to process your registration paperwork, so order your credentials and submit them with enough time before the wedding. Learn more about the registration process by clicking the link below:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/weddings-by-state/arkansas/officiant-registration-requirements\"\u003eWhat are the Wedding Officiant Registration Requirements in Arkansas?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOrder proof of your ordination\u0026nbsp;from the \u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/store\"\u003eAMM Store\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;to submit to the County Clerk when you register.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eStep\u0026nbsp;2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Pulaski County\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow that the practical parts are out of the way, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor, but can feel like a lot of pressure. Use all of AMM\u0026#39;s resources to prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/officiant-training\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;Wedding Officiant Training\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;: a free library of officiant training resources, from writing the wedding ceremony to how to deliver the speech and sign the marriage license\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/ceremony-scripts\"\u003eSample Wedding Ceremony Scripts\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;: a free library with more than one hundred sample scripts for wedding officiants, including religious and nonreligious weddings, multicultural and seasonal weddings, funny wedding scripts and more\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://courses.theamm.org/\"\u003ePaid training courses\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;: Online training courses available for purchase on the AMM site, designed for first-time officiants and people who want to become professional wedding officiants\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/blog\"\u003eDetailed\u0026nbsp;blog articles\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;: A vast blog archive with thousands of articles about every type of wedding you can dream of, search for first-time officiant topics, unity ceremony ideas, planning tips, ceremony basics, and more.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWe even offer many of these resources in Spanish!\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eStep 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt is the full responsibility of the couple to obtain their\u0026nbsp;marriage license and return it to the clerk\u0026#39;s office after the wedding ceremony before it expires.\u0026nbsp;However, \u003cstrong\u003eit\u0026#39;s your job as the officiant to fill out the license correctly and sign it following the ceremony.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nOnce you sign and complete the license, you must hand it back to the couple promptly, so that they can return it to the clerk\u0026#39;s office before the expiration deadline (60 days after it\u0026#39;s issued).\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn Arkansas, once you have performed the ceremony, signed the marriage license, and handed the license back to the couple, you have successfully performed all of your functions as the wedding officiant. The couple will take care of the rest.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","couple_section":"\u003ch3\u003eFile for a Marriage License from the Pulaski County Clerk Marriage License Department\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn general, the couple must appear together in-person to apply for their license. Couples can apply at any\u0026nbsp;Arkansas County Clerk or Circuit Court Clerk office, and an Arkansas marriage license can be used anywhere in the state once it has been\u0026nbsp;issued. \u003cstrong\u003eIf you choose to apply for your license in\u0026nbsp;Little Rock, you can visit\u0026nbsp;the \u003ca href=\"https://pulaskiclerkar.gov/departments/marriage-license/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMarriage License Department \u003c/a\u003eof the Pulaski County Circuit and County Clerk\u0026#39;s Office.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eREQUIREMENTS FOR AN ARKANSAS MARRIAGE LICENSE:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn general, applicants must be at least 18 years of age or older to apply for a marriage license, however there are some exceptions for minors (given below). Adult applicants must provide a valid government-issued photo identification, and their social security card (if they have a SSN); applicants who are 18 or 19 years old may also be asked to provide their birth certificate to verify their age.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/articles/920-how-old-do-you-have-to-be-to-get-married-in-each-state\"\u003eMinors who are 17 years old can get married in Arkansas\u003c/a\u003e if strict conditions are met, including proof of parental or guardian consent, a signed and notarized affidavit, and an additional waiting period.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen you go, remember to bring:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eValid photo identification (such as a driver\u0026rsquo;s license, passport, or military identification)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eBirth certificate (in some cases)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSocial Security Card (if you have a SSN)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e$60 (cash or credit card, no checks)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eInternational couples may also need to bring\u0026nbsp;foreign passport/s, green card or visa/s, and original birth certificate/s\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMinors will need additional documentation, ask your clerk about\u0026nbsp;the current requirements for minors\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eIf a partner\u0026#39;s name has changed through a divorce and their photo identification does not reflect this change, he or she will need a certified copy of their divorce decree, and the decree must state that his or her name has been restored to their maiden name.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","wedding_tips":"\u003ch3\u003eThe Basics\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eChoosing a Wedding Date \u0026amp; Booking a Wedding Venue\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen you\u0026rsquo;re selecting your wedding date, just make sure to plan around the handful of annual events that create traffic and congestion in the city. The Little Rock Marathon, which takes place in early March, draws in more than 10,000 people per year. The annual St. Patrick\u0026rsquo;s Day Parade also draws major crowds into the downtown area. You may want to avoid these dates to make it easier to find hotel rooms and lodging for guests, to book top vendors, and to avoid higher booking fees. Check the links below for more inspiration and helpful advice:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/articles/1508-a-simple-wedding-planning-checklist-timeline-for-busy-couples\"\u003eA Simple Wedding Planning Checklist \u0026amp; Timeline for Busy Couples\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/articles/2341-what-to-do-after-getting-engaged-in-20-simple-steps\"\u003eWhat to do After Getting Engaged in 20 Simple Steps\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/articles/2284-the-luckiest-month-to-get-married-according-to-superstition\"\u003eThe Luckiest Month to Get Married According to Superstition\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWedding Venues in Little Rock, AR\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes to choosing your wedding venue, you\u0026rsquo;ll find that there is a wedding venue for every taste in the Little Rock area -- from traditional elegance, to rustic barn wedding venues, to trendy modern venues, and nontraditional venues of all kinds. Below are a few veues we\u0026#39;ll heard couples mention in glowing tones over the years.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://southerncharmweddingvenue.com\"\u003eSouthern Charm Wedding Venue\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;: If you\u0026rsquo;re looking for both a\u0026nbsp;rustic-chic Arkansas aesthetic with\u0026nbsp;modern amenities like bride and groom suites, you\u0026rsquo;ll love this location! Its dance floor accommodates up to 300 people, so you don\u0026rsquo;t have to limit your reception guest list if you\u0026rsquo;re envisioning a massive dance party.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/the-warehouse-hot-springs-ar-960941\"\u003eThe Warehouse\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;: If you\u0026#39;re dreaming of a more urban wedding vibe, you\u0026#39;ll love this venue\u0026#39;s brick and concrete interior and exposed wood beam ceilings. So mod!\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.theempress.com/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eThe Empress of Little Rock\u003c/a\u003e : Dreaming of a Little Rock bed and breakfast wedding? This historic venue is a favorite among couples and offers dedicated wedding packages to make planning easier. It\u0026#39;s not the cheapest venue in Little Rock, but it\u0026#39;s definitely one of the dreamiest, with a Bridal Brunch, a Victorian mansion and \u0026quot;Secret Garden,\u0026quot; chapel, and more. It\u0026#39;s absolutely unforgettable.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eThe Old Mill in North Little Rock : If you want a wedding with traditional fairytale energy, consider eloping at this historic landmark\u0026nbsp;in North Little Rock. This location is available for short 30 minute rentals, for groups under 20 people. To see specific guidelines and rules for weddings here, visit the city\u0026#39;s \u003ca href=\"https://nlr.ar.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/parks/old-mill/wedding-information/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eOld Mill Wedding Information\u003c/a\u003e page.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.experiencesearcy.com/searcy-happenings/searcy-rialto\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRialto Theater in Searcy\u003c/a\u003e,\u0026nbsp;Arkansas : Not far from Little Rock is the historic Searcy Rialto, a beautiful Art Deco theater with seating for up to 300 people,\u0026nbsp;that\u0026#39;s perfect for hosting special events like weddings. The theater offer a variety of party rental packages on their site,\u0026nbsp; and you can even combine a movie viewing with your vow exchange ceremony!\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.thecastleonstagecoach.com/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eThe Castle on Stagecoach \u003c/a\u003e: This unique venue is a favorite for weddings, vow renewal and anniversary parties, and other family celebrations. Couples say that they love the venue\u0026#39;s\u0026nbsp;castles, horse-drawn carriage rides, manicured gardens, and expert help planning ever part of the wedding day.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eWine Vineyard Wedding Venues: You can even get hitched at one of the local \u003ca href=\"https://www.weddingwire.com/c/ar-arkansas/little-rock/winery-brewery-weddings/693-104-rca.html\"\u003evineyards\u003c/a\u003e, like \u003ca href=\"https://www.anenchantingevening.com/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAn Enchanting Evening Winery, Wedding Venue, and Cabin\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;or \u003ca href=\"https://www.rustytractorvineyards.com/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRusty Tractor Vineyards\u003c/a\u003e, which offer beautiful outdoor settings and delicious local wines. Win, win.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eOutdoor Adventure Elopements: Or, ditch traditional venue spaces altogether and plan a wedding at Arkansas\u0026rsquo; highest peak, \u003ca href=\"https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/groups/weddings\"\u003eMount Magazine\u003c/a\u003e, with beautiful views of the river, valley, and distant mountains.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFree wedding venues in Little Rock, AR\u003c/strong\u003e : Completely-free wedding venues are hard to come by, but it\u0026#39;s possible if you keep your gathering small (under 10 people), short (20 minutes or less), and don\u0026#39;t set up stationary tables or chairs (standing-only elopement). If this easy-breezy elopement style sounds good to you,\u0026nbsp;especially for your budget, consider eloping in a public park or historic space that doesn\u0026#39;t require a permit.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eTransportation\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLittle Rock is situated at the intersection of I-30 and I-40, so it\u0026rsquo;s accessible to all the major nearby cities, namely Dallas, Kansas City and Memphis. Public transportation is rather limited in Little Rock, but the metro runs 22 fixed routes, and taxis and rideshares are available. If you\u0026rsquo;re in the inner city, you can reach most of the city attractions on foot. But ideally, if you don\u0026rsquo;t have wheels, it might be worth it to rent a car or van. There are several transportation companies that cater to weddings and receptions in Little Rock.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eWeather\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThanks to the Arkansas River, Little Rock stays pretty cool compared to other Southern cities, with just a couple months during the height of summer in which the average temperature climbs over 90 degrees. The winters are quite mild, with occasional snowfall. Many Little Rockers will tell you that Autumn is a great time of year to visit or plan a wedding, due to the temperate weather and the beautiful foliage. There is some concern during tornado season in the spring and early summer, but nothing comparable to the risks in Tornado Alley, so don\u0026rsquo;t let that stop you from planning a spring wedding.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","faq":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs there a waiting period between obtaining your marriage license and getting married?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs long as both members of the couple are over 18, there is no waiting period. You can get married the same day that you visit the courthouse to get your marriage license.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the Little Rock courthouse accept checks as payment for the marriage license?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNo, the only acceptable forms of payment for the $60 fee are cash or credit.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","content_live":true,"marriage_licensing_info":"\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuance Office:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003ePulaski Circuit and County Clerk\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nMarriage License Department (Part of the Court Records Dept.)\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n401 W Markham St.,\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eLittle Rock, Arkansas\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFee:\u003c/strong\u003e $60\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWaiting Period:\u003c/strong\u003e None (additional 5-day waiting period for minors)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExpiration:\u003c/strong\u003e 60 days\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho Returns the License:\u003c/strong\u003e Couple must return the license to the office where it was issued before the expiration date\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n","meta_description_esp":null,"head_tag_esp":null,"tagline_esp":null,"intro_section_esp":"","officiant_section_esp":"","couple_section_esp":"","wedding_tips_esp":"","faq_esp":"","content_live_esp":false,"marriage_licensing_info_esp":""}