How to Officiate a Wedding in Lakewood, Colorado

This gorgeous suburb of Denver has some of the most spectacular views of the Rockies, as well as an attractive downtown area, complete with shops, art galleries, theaters and restaurants. Lakewood is also one of the Denver area’s highest ranked cities for access to outdoor activities. The 2,600 acre Bear Creek Park has dirt hiking and biking trails, a large lake for fishing, and lots of picnic areas. If you are into rigorous climbing, take a hike in Hayden Park on Green Mountain. Lakewood also has some of the prettiest wedding venues, from scenic golf courses to rustic barns and posh mansions. 

You probably want to get right into planning all the fun activities for the wedding, but let's first get all the marriage paperwork out of the way. 
 

Step 1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries

Let's start with the ordainment process. According to the law, a marriage in Colorado may be solemnized by “...a judge of a court, by a court magistrate, by a retired judge of a court, by a public official whose powers include solemnization of marriages, by the parties to the marriage, or in accordance with any mode of solemnization recognized by any religious denomination or Indian nation or tribe.” 

If you do not yet fit any of the initial qualifications, don’t worry. You can get ordained with AMM, and become a recognized minister. This process is free, and should only take you a few minutes to complete. 

When it comes time to perform your duties as the officiant, Jefferson County may ask you to present documentation, which AMM provides for a fee. (You can call the office of the clerk and recorder’s office before you perform the ceremony to ask if they will require you to bring the certificate in person.)

Step 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Lakewood

Now that the easy part is 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. You will appreciate our wedding training pages, which give you helpful information to 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 your job as the officiant is to make sure that it is filled out correctly, and returned by the couple to the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office within 63 days after solemnization. Once this is completed, your functions as the officiant are fulfilled, and you can sit back and relax!
 

File for a Marriage License from the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office

So let's take a look at the couple’s responsibilities. To apply for the marriage license, both applicants must appear at the county clerk’s office to sign the application. Valid personal identification such as a passport or state issued driver’s license must be presented for age verification, as well as social security numbers. If either party does not have a social security number, an affidavit provided by the county clerk’s office must be signed. The parents' names and current addresses must also be listed when filling out the application. The marriage license costs $30 cash. 
 
When you go, just remember to bring:

• State-issued photo IDs
• Social security numbers (social security card is not necessary)
• Parents’ names and current addresses
• $30 cash

 
Once you’ve successfully completed the application process, there is no waiting period before you use your marriage license, so you’re all set to use it the same day if you want to.
 

The Basics

The charming Baldoria Event Center is AMM’s highest recommended wedding venue. Complete with a tasteful, European style wine vineyard, tasty cuisine, and gorgeous views, this location is sure to take your breath away and create a very memorable experience. For posh dining and lavish ballroom spaces, as well as plenty of space for your wedding guests, check out the Sheraton Hotel options. If you are planning a small wedding, be sure to look at the Stone House. Surrounded by green fields and little shrub gardens, this quaint little house may be just what you’re looking for.

Transportation

If you happen to be flying in, Denver International Airport is close by. From there you can either take a taxi or shuttle bus to Lakewood. If you really want to cut costs, you can take the train and tram services into Lakewood - it just may take a little more time than other services. For getting around Lakewood, you can use the RTD rail for getting to the major stops. You can also use this line for getting up to stations in Denver. 

Weather

Because of its high elevation and mid-latitude location, Lakewood generally maintains a cool, dry climate. Winters can get cold and snowy, with an average annual snowfall of 35 inches per year. Summers are generally mild and sunny, with temperatures sometimes hitting the upper eighties. The best time to visit Lakewood for warm weather activities is between mid-June and September.