How to Officiate a Wedding in Cape Coral, Florida

If you want an enchanting wedding memory that will last a lifetime, Cape Coral is an excellent choice. Especially known for its extensive canal system, the city is often referred to as “Waterfront Wonderland.” You’re sure to get caught up in all the fun and excitement that this coastal town has to offer, whether it's fishing, combing the beaches for seashells, or just relaxing in the sun. 

Cape Coral also has a thrilling water park, as well as well-maintained golf courses, and extensive nature preserves. Before you plan all the exciting activities, let's take care of the legal responsibilities and requirements for getting married in Cape Coral. We’ll begin with the ordainment process. 

Step 1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries

According to Florida law, regularly ordained ministers of the Gospel, elders, or other ordained clergy are allowed to officiate weddings in the state.
 
If you do not fall into any of these categories, no sweat. You can get ordained with AMM to fall within the ordained clergy category. Getting ordained with AMM is free and takes just a few minutes.
 
The Florida government does not license, register, or certify ministers or wedding officiants, so once you have become ordained with us, you’re all set to start performing weddings in the state! However, there is some preparation that you will want to do before performing your first ceremony.

Step 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Lee County

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 to get you ready, and more.

Step 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License

Now let’s turn to the couple’s responsibilities. To apply for the marriage license, the couple must visit the Lee County Clerk of Recording Office. Both members must present state-issued identification as well as their social security numbers. Couples are also required to read the Family Law Handbook issued by the State of Florida before stating their vows. 
 
The fee for the marriage license in Florida is $93.50 unless you and your fiance enroll in a four-hour pre-marriage class, in which case the fee is reduced to $61.00. The 3 day waiting period will also be waived if you decide to do this. It will also be waived if you are not a resident of Florida. 
 

The couple must visit the local County Clerks office with the necessary paperwork.

You will need to bring:
 

• A state-issued ID (Passport, Drivers License, Military ID)
• Social Security Numbers (No card required)
• $61.00 - $86.00 Cash Only
   

The Basics

Cape Coral’s beautiful waterfront location gives you plenty of attractive options to choose from when deciding on a wedding venue. You won’t be far from Fort Myers (with even more choices), so you should not have trouble finding the venue of your choice. A country club location like the Dunes Golf and Tennis Club is just one among many options for a picturesque outdoor wedding. Check out Cape Cabaret for the best American style dining and live music, or enjoy a posh wedding banquet and an evening of dancing at the La Venezia Ballroom. 

Transportation

Cape Coral’s bus system LeeTran is an efficient and cost-effective way to get around the city. Bus routes will get you to most major locations within the city and also have direct connections to Fort Myers. If public buses are not your ideal transportation method, taxi and rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft, should also be available. 

Weather

Cape Coral, like most of Florida, is known for its hot, humid summers and mild winters. The high in July is around 92 degrees and the low in January is 53. The most pleasant times to visit Cape Coral are in December, February and March. If you happen to visit in late summer, be prepared for a lot of rain and inclement weather.