How to Officiate a Wedding in Stamford, Connecticut

If you’re planning to get married in Stamford, you couldn’t have picked a more idyllic New England town to tie the knot. Here you’ll have plenty of options at your fingertips, whether it’s fine dining from a choice of over 150 restaurants, seeking thrill at the outdoor amusement and adventure parks, or visiting the famous cinemas and performing arts centers. And this is just the beginning. 

Finding things to do will most likely be the easiest part of planning your wedding in Stamford. Our job, however, is to get you through the logistical aspects of your wedding, such as ordaining your minister of choice and helping you file for and fill out the marriage license. So let’s get started!
 

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 don’t yet fall into any of these categories, don’t worry! Get ordained for free with AMM! The ordainment process is super easy and should only take you a couple of minutes to complete.

Step 2: Prepare for the Wedding Ceremony in Stamford

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, preparation tips, 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, be sure to double-check that they have a valid marriage license before the ceremony. Then, after you perform the marriage, help the couple correctly fill it out and sign it.
 
In Connecticut, the officiant is required by law to take the marriage license back to the town official from which the couple received it within 65 days of the document’s issuance.
 

File for the Marriage License from the Stamford Town Clerk

Before heading to the Stamford County Clerk's Office, the couple should first complete and submit the online marriage license application. After this is done, you should be able to make an appointment via email. For a more detailed explanation of this process please click here.

When visiting the Stamford Town Clerk’s Office, the couple must both appear in person and be able to provide the following:

• Valid photo identification
• $50 Cash/Check/Credit
• Social Security Number

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

The Basics

As far as wedding venues are concerned, Stamford gives you a lot of different styles to choose from. Here, we have a couple of our favorite examples, but feel free to do some hunting around if none of these match your tastes. Serifina at the IC is a picturesque venue located far enough away from the hustle of downtown but close enough for easy access. You’ll be treated to the loveliest Italian cuisine and be taken care of by dedicated, hard-working staff. 

Lakota Oaks is an enormous venue with enough outdoor and indoor space to hold as many guests as you can imagine. 

The Loading Dock is a lovely indoor venue that seats up to 600 guests. Here you’ll get a mix of rustic warehouse vibes combined with extravagant decorations and excellent catering services.

Transportation 

CT Transit is the bus line that serves not just Stamford but the greater state of Connecticut. If you’re not planning to bring your own car and don’t want to bother with buses, rideshare services like Lyft and Uber should also be available. 

Weather

No matter what season you choose to get married in Connecticut, you’ll have a beautiful wedding. Winters are cold and possibly snowy; late spring is mild and pleasant; summer can be sweltering 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.