Tallahassee, Florida Wedding Guide
Become a Wedding Officiant in Tallahassee as an AMM Ordained Minister. Learn more about getting ordained in Florida, officiant training, wedding ceremony planning, and more.
Become a Wedding Officiant in Tallahassee as an AMM Ordained Minister. Learn more about getting ordained in Florida, officiant training, wedding ceremony planning, and more.
So, you’re getting hitched in Tallahassee! Or perhaps you’ve been asked to perform a wedding ceremony in T-Town. Either way, you’ve come to the right place. We have all the need-to-know info about how to get legally married in Florida’s capital right here in our guide -- plus some extra tips that will ensure you’ll avoid any wedding planning sinkholes -- errr, we mean pitfalls!
You’ll be surprised how easy it is to apply for your marriage license and get your officiant-of-choice legally ordained. So, without further ado, let’s get into the guide. Tally-ho!
Let’s start with the ordainment process. 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.
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.
On the day of the wedding, you have two jobs: to perform the ceremony and help the couple complete their marriage license. But the law states that before you officiate the wedding, you must make sure the couple has obtained a marriage license and has it in their possession. After the “I do’s,” you must also complete your portion of the marriage license and return the marriage record section to the county for recording. Make sure that you bring the completed marriage license to the Leon County clerk’s office within 10 days of the actual ceremony so that the government can record the marriage.
For The
Couple
Couples that wish to get a marriage license in Florida will need to appear in person at their clerk's office to fill out the marriage license application.To save some at the county clerk's office, you can first complete the online marriage license application. When you go, remember to bring:
The fee for the marriage application can be reduced to $61 if you take a premarital education course. Click here to check it out. Taking the four hour course will also allow you to skip the three-day waiting period so that you can get married the same day you receive your marriage license from the county clerk’s office.
Issuance Office: 301 S. Monroe St., Suite 100
Fee: $86 ($61 with completed online premarital course)
Waiting Period: 3 days
Expiration: 60 days
Return: By officiant within 10 days
For The Couple
& Officiant
In Florida, the sky is truly the limit when it comes to wedding venues. Within a couple of hours or Tallahassee, you can find everything from sailboats to beautiful world class resorts to helicopter services -- all of which are in the realm of possibilities to hold your ceremony, as your Tallahassee-issued marriage license is valid anywhere in the state!
But if you’re looking for a venue right in town, there are plenty of great options. The Ball House and Cottages at SouthWood, a historic home that was built in 1865, is an idyllic spot for a romantic wedding. The property, covered in beautiful, old growth trees, also has cottages where your guests who are coming in from out of town can stay. Bonus!
The Space at Feather Oaks, located a few miles northeast on Miccosukee Road, is another charming venue that’s hard not to fall in love with. This super unique indoor/outdoor space combines the rustic barn style that has become so popular with hints of elegance. It’s the perfect balance between city and country.
But before committing to a venue, remember to check local events calendars to make sure your date doesn’t overlap with any other big events, especially if you’re choosing a downtown location for your wedding. You don’t want to pick a night when an FSU football game is going down and end up stuck in traffic or competing for parking!
The main way to get around Tallahassee via public transit is the city’s bus system, which is good for getting from point A to point B downtown, but is pretty limited as far as areas outside of the center. If you are trying to avoid renting a car during your stay in Tallahassee, ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber will be your best friend.
The most popular times of year for Florida wedding weather are March through May and November through December because the summer is too hot, and the winters can actually get quite chilly. From August through October, hurricanes are also a possible threat. The most active part of the Atlantic hurricane season is Mid-September through the end of October. But no matter what season you choose for your wedding, it’s a good idea to invest in wedding insurance because the weather can be unpredictable in Florida. You’ll be surprised how affordable it is, and for the peace of mind, it’s worth every penny!
For The Couple
& Officiant
Yes, internet ministers are recognized in the state, including those from AMM.
Yes, you can hold your ceremony anywhere in Florida, as long as the marriage license is returned to the office in which it was issued.
Yes, as long as the ship is in Florida waters at the time of the ceremony, which is generally considered to be three geographic miles from the coastline seaward on the Atlantic Ocean and nine geographic miles from the coastline seaward on the Gulf of Mexico.
No, most of the premarital education courses are free and take four hours to complete.
If you are Florida residents, you have to wait three days unless you have taken the premarital education course. If you are out-of-state residents, you can get married the same day.
Your officiant will return it to the office in which it was issued within 10 days of the ceremony. Then, it will be recorded with the state.
Learn from the Pros to Officiate with Confidence!
Choose Your Officiant with our "Will You Marry Us?" Gift Package.
Our premiere package contains everyting you need to officiate like a pro.
It's finally here! Timeless scripts and heartfelt vow inspiration to bring life to your ceremony.
Stay up-to-date with the latest wedding industry trends.
Need inspiration? Check out our free ceremony scripts!
Everything you need to know to officiate.
Test your understanding of Florida Marriage Laws.
Become a Wedding Officiant with Our Free Online Ordination!