How to Officiate a Wedding in Macon, Georgia

Macon is a thriving center for arts, culture, and education. Even more, this central Georgian city lacks nothing in terms of entertainment. Take a day to discover ancient archeological gems at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park, or learn about African American art and culture at the Tubman Museum. You’ll also love Macon’s many unique dining options, from famous burger joints and downhome southern food to famous Mediterranean and Mexican restaurants. Public theaters and gorgeous outdoor parks are also significant features of the city. 

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

If you plan on asking a friend to officiate your wedding ceremony, or you have been asked to perform a ceremony, you’re in luck. The process of getting ordained in the state of Georgia is as easy as a slice of peach pie.

All you have to do is get ordained with AMM to fall within the priest or minister category. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.
 
The Georgia 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 Macon 

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 to the marriage license, it’s the couple’s responsibility to obtain it from the Bibb County Probate Court’s Office, but be sure to double-check that they have a valid marriage license in their possession before you perform the ceremony. Afterward, help them complete it and notarize it correctly.
 
It’s also your job as the officiant to return the completed marriage license to the Probate Court’s office as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days after the ceremony.
 

Now let’s turn our attention to the couple’s duties. First, print out a copy of the marriage license application and fill it out with your spouse-to-be. Then, both applicants should head down to the county clerk or probate court’s office to apply for the actual marriage license. If one member is a Georgia resident, the couple can apply in any county. If neither are residents, the application must be made in the same county where the wedding takes place. 
 
When you go, remember to bring:
 

• Your printed, completed marriage license application
• Valid state-issued identification (passport, driver’s license, military ID)
• If either of the applicants has been previously married and divorced, a copy of the final divorce decree 
• Payment for the marriage license fee

 
If the couple has completed a premarital education program, the marriage license fee is $26. Without certification of a premarital education program, the marriage license fee is $66.

The Basics

You’re in luck when it comes to wedding venues in Macon. You’ll have many choices, from farm and country club weddings to serene lakeside chapels and elegant manors. Chanticleer Manor is an excellent option if you’re hoping for a smaller wedding reception or banquet. Here you can choose to have an outdoor ceremony and a commencement banquet in the lavishly decorated rooms inside. This venue also features excellent wedding photography. 
 
Right in the heart of downtown is the Library Ballroom. This classic Southern venue comes with all the props, including high ceilings, mahogany wood floors, and large stained glass windows. The Grand Ballroom has 2,200 square feet of dancing space, and other adjacent rooms like the luxury bridal suite and foyer add to the charm.

  
Transportation 

The Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority (MTA) consists of a ten route busing system that will get you reliably in and around the city. Fares are free for children under 12 and are relatively cheap for adults. Otherwise, rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are also available. 

Weather

When choosing your wedding date and venue, be sure to keep Georgia’s seasons in mind. The Peach State has lovely spring and fall seasons, which are perfect for outdoor weddings. It has relatively mild winters and hazy, humid summers. However, things really start to heat up by June, and temperatures can climb into the 90s and sometimes the low 100s. In addition to the summer heatwaves, there are also evening thunderstorms nearly every night in July and August. So, if you’re planning a summer wedding, you may want to consider an indoor venue in case of extreme heat or rain.