How to Officiate a Wedding in Redding, California

Congratulations! You’re getting married in one of the most beautiful cities in California. Redding offers a wide variety of outdoor activities such as boating, swimming, biking, camping, and hiking. You’ll also love the historical and cultural aspects like the famous Sundial Bridge - a massive steel, glass, and granite structure that spans the Sacramento River. It represents human ingenuity and creativity. If you’re not claustrophobic, you’ll love visiting the Shasta Caverns to explore incredible underground limestone formations.

Redding also has plenty of outdoor and indoor options for your wedding ceremony, but let’s first get the logistical aspects of your marriage all squared away. We’ll start by ordaining your hand-picked minister. 
 

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 Shasta 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 within ten days to the Shasta County Recorder’s Office. Once you have signed and returned the marriage license, you have officially fulfilled all your duties as the officiant. 
 

Now let’s turn to the couple’s responsibilities. To apply for the marriage license, you will need to arrive in person at the Shasta County Clerk’s Office and be able to present state-issued identification. You can also fill out the online application to get a head start on the process.
 
When you go just remember to bring:

• Valid ID (Driver’s License, Passport)
• $135 
• Any other applicable documents (divorce papers)
   

The Basics

Whether you want your wedding at a local lodge, a scenic golf course, or a local winery, Redding offers some of the most scenic wedding venues in California. If you’re planning a small wedding with just a few family and friends, take a look at the Lewiston Hotel. This remote location will give you a quiet, serene spot for you and your beloved to exchange vows in the peace of nature. For a bit more space, check out the Mount Shasta Resort. Here you’ll still be in nature, but have access to amenities like hot tubs and fireplaces, as well as an expansive golf course. If you want a classic ranch wedding with a modern touch, tie the knot at TBS Ranch and Estate. You can look at a more expansive list of wedding venues here to find the one that suits your fancy. 

Transportation 

For getting around the downtown area in Redding, use the DASH bus services. This fast, free option will get you reliably to all the major stops. The Redding Municipal Airport is also close by and provides direct flights to San Francisco. If you prefer traveling by car, Redding has plenty of rental options as well as available rideshare and taxi services.

Weather

Summers in Redding are hot and dry, whereas winters are cold and wet. It rarely snows, save the occasional winter flurry. The best time of year to visit is during the summer months between June and September.