How to Officiate a Wedding in New Haven, Connecticut

So you're tying the knot in New Haven! Yale University isn’t the only thing that this New England town is known for. You’ll have plenty of other places and things to discover - including one of the world’s largest indoor rope courses, a fine selection of cultural cuisine, quaint bookstores, thrifty music shops, and famous art museums and theaters. And in case that’s not enough, you’ll have access to 40 miles of gorgeous shoreline for sunbathing, walking, and swimming! If you happen to visit New Haven in the winter, don’t miss out on the city’s skating rinks and local ski resorts.

Before you start planning all your fun activities, let’s deal with the logistics of your wedding. From ordaining your hand-picked wedding officiant to helping you sign the marriage license, AMM is here for you every step of the way. So, let’s start with the ordainment process.
 

Step 1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries

In Connecticut, “all ordained or licensed members of the clergy, belonging to this state or any other state” may perform weddings.
 
If you’ve been asked to officiate a wedding but you don’t have any ministerial credentials, we’ve got you covered. You can get ordained with AMM to fall within the priest or minister category. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.
 
When it comes time to perform your duties as the officiant, Fairfield County may ask you to present documentation, which AMM provides for a fee. (You can call the county clerk’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 New Haven

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 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

When it comes time to sign the marriage license, it’s the couple’s responsibility to obtain it, but just be sure to double-check that they have a valid marriage license before the ceremony. After you perform the marriage, help the couple to correctly fill it out and notarize it.
 
In Connecticut, the officiant is required by law to take the marriage license back to the town official from which the couple received the license within 65 days of the document’s issuance.
 

Now let’s focus on the couple’s responsibilities. Both parties must appear in person at the local municipal building to obtain their marriage license.
 
When you go, just remember to bring:
 

• Valid, state-issued IDs
• Social Security cards
• $50 for the marriage license application fee

 
There is technically no waiting period to get married in Connecticut, but you should schedule your visit at least two weeks before your actual ceremony to make sure there are no problems with your application.
 

The Basics

One of the greatest things about getting married in New Haven is that you’ll have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to finding the wedding venue of your dreams. Whether you want a charming banquet facility looking out over the bay or a local winery or country club, you’re sure to find the one for you. At Anthony’s Ocean View, you’ll be treated to soft sandy beaches and excellent catering options, as well as a beautiful indoor ballroom with wooden floor paneling for you and your sweetheart to dance the night away. 
 
For a classic outdoor wedding, check out the Great River Golf Club. Here you’ll get spectacular views of the New England countryside as well as a perfect little gazebo and outdoor seating area for the ceremony. If a stylish vineyard wedding is more your style, take a look at Chamard Vineyards, where you’ll be able to choose between having your banquet in the wine cellar or the rustic barn.  

Transportation

If you are flying into New Haven from a different state, the closest airports are the Tweed New Haven Airport and Bradley International Airport. If you can’t find flights into these airports, check for flights into JFK International Airport in New York. From New York, you should be able to take Amtrak or Metro-North Rail Services directly to New Haven. Connecticut Transit provides excellent bus services to the New Haven region, offering free transit from Union Station to Downtown. Taxi and rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are also available.

Weather

No matter what season you choose to get married in Connecticut, you’ll have a beautiful wedding. Winters are cold and can be snowy; late spring is mild and pleasant; summer can be very hot and a bit muggy; but fall is perhaps the most beautiful. The temperature is cool and mild and the foliage is stunning. Spring and fall are the most popular seasons for weddings.