How to Officiate a Wedding in Thornton, Colorado

Boasting 25 recreational parks and over 2000 acres of park space, Thornton, Colorado, is a dream location to tie the knot. You’ll love the welcoming atmosphere of this Rocky Mountain suburb, combined with all the fun activities and events available year-round. If you visit in fall, you’re sure to love the 20-acre corn maze, which features all sorts of fun from pumpkin picking to tractor train rides and even corn hole! If you love a good local bar, don’t miss the Mother Tucker brewery, famous for its local hand-crafted brews. You’ll also be happy to know that the Thornton area offers a wide range of wedding venue options to fit your most extravagant wishes.

Whatever your plans as a couple, AMM is here to guide you through the process of getting married in Thornton, from ordaining your chosen minister to completing the marriage license.
 

Step 1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries

Let’s start with the ordainment process. According to the office of the clerk and recorder, the following persons may perform wedding ceremonies in Colorado: 
 
“an officiant who has been ordained or recognized by a religious denomination, a judge of a court, a retired judge, a court magistrate, a public official whose powers include solemnization of marriages, a Native American tribal official, or a friend or relative who is ordained.”
 
If you do not fall into any of these categories yet, don’t worry! Just get ordained with AMM to qualify as an officiant within a religious denomination. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.
 
When it comes time to perform your duties as the officiant, Adams 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 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 officiating 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, preparation tips, and more. 

Step 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License

When it comes to signing the marriage license, it is the couple’s responsibility to obtain it from the county clerk’s office, fill it out, and hand it over to you to sign as well. Just make sure that the license is valid before signing and giving it back to the couple to return. The license should be filled out within 35 days of issuance and returned no later than 63 days after the wedding. Once the license is signed, you have fulfilled your legal duty as the officiant!
 

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

Now let’s turn our attention to the couple’s responsibilities. First, before both parties appear in person at the licensing office, you must complete an online application. Then, schedule an appointment online with the Government Center. 

When you go, remember to bring:
 

• A valid driver’s license or other state-issued ID
• Payment in the form of cash, check, money order, or credit card.
• Social Security Number
   

The Basics

The Imperium Event Center is a perfect wedding venue if you are planning on inviting a lot of family and friends to your wedding as this venue hosts up to 500 people. With remarkable views of the Colorado Rockies, Wedgewood Weddings presents a rustic, lavishly furnished venue. This romantic location has all the amenities, from dressing suites to a gorgeous patio with outdoor seating.

Transportation

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) provides bus, rail, and airport shuttles to Thornton and surrounding neighborhoods. Although this is a fairly reliable form of transit, you may want to rent a car for more independent travel. Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft should also be available. 

Weather

One of the best things about Thornton and the surrounding area is the reasonably mild climate. The alpine desert’s altitude and proximity to the mountains keep Thornton pleasant year-round, with the state getting about 300 days of sun a year. During the winter months, it can cool down to the 30s and 40s in the day, but it’s not uncommon to have a 60-degree day in the winter in Colorado.