How to Officiate a Wedding in Garden Grove, California

Known as “The City of Youth and Ambition,” Garden Grove is a popular destination for adventure-seeking, fun-loving people, and an epic location to tie the knot. Whether you came here for the exciting rides at Disneyland Park or to get a tour of the Stanley Ranch Museum and Historical Village, you’re sure to have an exciting time. You’ll also like to know that Garden Grove has a wide variety of options for wedding venues and catering services. 

Whatever your plans, AMM’s job is to help you work through the legal aspects of your wedding. We’ll walk you through ordaining the minister of your choice and help you complete and sign the marriage license. So let’s get started!
 

Step 1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries

California State law stipulates that, in addition to judges and a list of other government officials, the following people may solemnize marriage:
 
“A priest, minister, rabbi, or authorized person of any religious denomination who is 18 years of age or older…”

If you’ve been asked to perform a marriage ceremony but you don’t fall within any of these categories, no sweat! Ministers ordained by AMM meet California’s requirements and are legally allowed to perform weddings in the state.
 
Follow this link to get ordained with AMM. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.
 
The California government does not license, register, or certify ministers or wedding officiants, so once you’re signed up with us, you’re ready to start performing wedding ceremonies in the state!

Step 2: Prepare for the Wedding Ceremony in Orange County

Now that the formal application process is out of the way, we can help you prepare for the more personal aspects of conducting the wedding ceremony. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor, but requires a bit of preparation. You may want to check out our wedding training pages, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly. 
 
Here you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.

Step 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License

It is the full responsibility of the couple to obtain and fill out the marriage license; however, as the officiant, you should make sure that the information is correct and complete before returning it to one of the Clerk-Recorder's locations in Orange County. Once you have signed and returned the marriage license, you have fulfilled all your duties as the officiant. 
 

How to Get Married in Garden Grove
 
Now let’s take a look at the couple’s responsibilities. To apply for the marriage license, both members of the couple must go to a branch of the Orange County Clerk-Recorder’s offices. There are no branches directly in Garden Grove, but you’ll find locations in Fullerton, Santa-Anna, or Laguna Hills. You will need to bring valid state-issued identification with you, such as a driver's license or passport, as well as $61.50 cash to purchase the marriage license. Once you have received the marriage license, it will be valid for 90 days anywhere in the State of California.
 

The Basics

If you want to pull out all the stops when it comes to celebrating your big day, check out the Garden Room. This gorgeous white mansion is complete with a banquet hall chapel, plus an outdoor garden area and gazebo. You’ll also receive excellent catering services from fine dining to a broad selection of stunning wedding cakes. If you want your wedding to be close to all the fun and excitement at Disneyland, Hyatt Regency Orange County has all the amenities you’ll need such as large outdoor spaces and lavish dining halls. 

Transportation

The closest airport to Garden Grove is the John Wayne Airport. The LA International Airport is also not too far away. ARTIC (Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center) is a large transportation center connecting bus and Amtrak routes from all over California. For getting in and around Garden Grove you can use the reliable OCTA bus services. Otherwise, rideshare and taxi services should also be available. 

Weather

Well, you’re in sunny California after all, so look forward to getting on that nice summer tan. Summer temperatures in Garden Grove average a high of around 82 degrees. Winters are mild, with temperatures rarely dropping below the mid-forties. It only rains an average of 13 inches per year, and never snows.