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Saint Augustine, Florida Wedding Guide

Become a Wedding Officiant in Saint Augustine as an AMM Ordained Minister. Learn more about getting ordained in Florida, officiant training, wedding ceremony planning, and more.

How to Officiate a Wedding in Saint Augustine, Florida

What could be more romantic than getting married in the "Nation’s Oldest City," St. Augustine? Its cobblestone streets, Spanish colonial architecture, expansive beaches and balmy summer nights make for the perfect setting for a wedding. There’s a reason why the town was voted in the top 10 for America’s Happiest Seaside Towns 2014 by Coastal Living Magazine!

 

Yes, if you’re lucky enough to live Northeast Florida, you’ll have no problem planning and executing your dream wedding. But before you get too wrapped up in the details of your special day, let’s get the logistical aspects of your upcoming nuptials out of the way first. 




Florida Wedding Tips and Tricks

Become a Wedding Officiant

For The
Wedding Officiant

Step 1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries

 

Let’s start with the ordainment process. In St. Augustine, “any notary, judge, priest, ordained minister or deputy clerk” may perform a wedding.

 

If you do not fall into any of these categories, no sweat. You can get ordained with AMM to fall within the priest or minister category. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.

 

The Florida state government does not license, register, or certify ministers or wedding officiants, so once you’re signed up with us, you’re ready to start performing wedding ceremonies!

 

Step 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in St. Johns 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 for preparation, and more.


Step 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License

 

When it comes to the marriage license, it’s the couple’s responsibility to obtain it from the county clerk’s office, but just be sure to double-check that they have a valid marriage license before you perform the ceremony. After, be sure to help them complete it and notarize it correctly.

 

In St. Augustine, the marriage license needs to be returned by the officiant (that’s you!) within 10 days of the ceremony. So, mark your calendar so that you don’t forget!



Florida Wedding

How To Get Married in Saint Augustine

For The
Couple

Now let’s turn our attention to the couple’s responsibilities.

 

To obtain your marriage license, both members of the couple will have to visit the St. Johns County Clerk’s Office at 4010 Lewis Speedway. 

 

When you go, just remember to bring:

 

  • Picture ID (driver’s licenses or passports are preferred)
  • Social security numbers (social security cards are not required)
  • $86 for the marriage license fee ($61 for completed premarital course)

 

That’s it! Once the office issues you your marriage license, you must wait three days before you actually tie the knot. The marriage license is valid for 60 days from its issue date, so don’t apply for it more than two months before your ceremony date.
 

St Johns County Marriage License Info

Important Facts to know before filing for a marriage license in Saint Augustine, Florida.

Issuance Office: 4010 Lewis Speedway

Fee: $86 ($61 with completed premarital course) 

Waiting Period: 3 days

Expiration: 60 days

Return: By officiant within 10 days

Saint Augustine Wedding Tips and Tricks

Wedding Venue and Planning Tips

For The Couple
& Officiant

The Basics

 

If you’re lucky enough to live in or near the St. Augustine area, then finding the perfect wedding venue will be no problem. We’ll lay out some of our tops favorites in town.

 

If you want a view of the ocean without having to get sandy, then you will love The White Room. Built in 1888, this historic venue offers indoor and outdoor spaces, breathtaking views, wrap around windows, and food prepared in-house. It’s highly rated on WeddingWire and the Knot, so there’s no guesswork with this option.

 

But if you’re looking for something more unique, opt for the charming bed and breakfast Casa de Solana. It offers couples everything from elopement packages to sizes of up to 50 guests. You can say your “I do’s” on the beautiful grounds of the property or alternatively, take a short walk to the beach and have your ceremony there at sunset.

 

Cedar House Inn is our third recommendation in the St. Augustine area. This inn was rated TripAdvisor’s number one U.S. Bed & Breakfast for 2017, and for good reason. Guests appreciate its charming Victorian vibe, central location and warm hospitality. Have your ceremony in their gazebo, garden or in front of the fireplace.

 

Transportation

 

If you’re looking to get around St. Augustine on the cheap, you may want to check out St. Johns’ public transportation system, the Sunshine Bus Company. You can find a list of its routes here, which will connect you with all the major hot spots in town. However, if you want to get around town in a hurry and you don’t have access to a car, Lyft and Uber are your best options.

 

Weather

 

Northeast Florida is known for its amazing weather -- the sun shines throughout the year. Between late June and early September, temperatures rise into the nineties almost every day. However, the rainy season begins in August and lasts for about eight weeks. The coldest time of year in the area occurs in January, with average daily temps in the low 60s. Wedding season in Florida occurs outside of the hottest months (from October through May.) Couples that choose to get married during the summer typically opt for indoor venues to stay out of the heat.




Saint Augustine Officiant FAQ

Saint Augustine Officiant & Couples FAQ

For The Couple
& Officiant


Are Internet ministers legal in Florida?
Yes, ministers ordained through online ministries are perfectly legal in Florida.

 

Do I need to register my ministerial credentials with the state?
No, in Florida, there is no requirement that officiants register their credentials with any state office before they begin to perform marriage ceremonies.

 

Do we have to apply for our marriage license in person?
Yes, both members of the couple must be present at the St. Johns County Clerk’s office in order to obtain a marriage license.

 

When can we use our marriage license?
Once it has been obtained, the marriage license can be used three days later (to account for the 72-hour waiting period) for up to 60 days before it expires.

 

What do we do with the marriage license after the wedding?
Your officiant will help you complete and notarize your marriage license correctly on the day of the ceremony.

 

Who should return the marriage license after the ceremony?
It is the responsibility of the officiant to return it to the county clerk’s office within 10 days of the ceremony.

OFFICIANT CEREMONY
PREPARATION IN

Professional Wedding Officiant Certification Course

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Will You Marry Us? Gift Package

Who Will Officiate Your Wedding?

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Signature Wedding Officiant Package

Signature Wedding Officiant Package

Our premiere package contains everyting you need to officiate like a pro.

The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies

The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies

It's finally here! Timeless scripts and heartfelt vow inspiration to bring life to your ceremony.

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Sample Wedding Ceremony Scripts

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Wedding Officiant Training

Everything you need to know to officiate.

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