How to Officiate a Wedding in Boise, Idaho

Thinking of planning wedding in Boise? You’ve come to the right place. While Idaho’s capital city is rich in natural beauty like its sister cities on the West Coast, this hidden gem won’t break the bank when it comes to throwing your dream wedding.

The region sits in the sweet spot between the Pacific Northwest, The Rocky Mountains and the high desert, creating a climate and culture that is uniquely Idaho. Visitors flock here each spring and summer to explore the city and its surrounding nature, so there is a plethora of ski resorts, clubhouses and vineyards in Boise’s downtown as well as in surrounding areas.

Wedding venue options run from regal and elegant -- a la, the Chateu de Fleurs, a full-service garden party venue -- to refreshingly rustic -- like the Southfork Lodge.

You can also take advantage of one of the dozens of parks tucked in the foothills of the Rockies and along the Boise River for a ceremony set in nature. Or, take a drive into the country to check out the many farms converted to quaint venues that are sure to give you Lana del Ray music video flashbacks.

Whatever your taste, Boise has you covered. We hope we’ve got you excited to move forward with your Boise wedding plans. At AMM, we help you get the logistics of your ceremony squared away so that you can focus on planning your all-American, Boise dream wedding.

STEP 1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries

Let’s start with the ordainment process. According to Ada County Clerk’s website, the following persons may perform wedding ceremonies:

• Justice of the Supreme Court (current or retired)
• Appeals Judge (current and retired)
• District Judge (current and retired)
• Governor (current and former)
• Magistrate of the District Court (current and retired)
• Idaho Mayors (current)
• Federal Judge (current)
• Tribal Judge (current)
• Lieutenant Governor (current)
• A Priest or Minister of the Gospel of any denomination or faith

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

When it comes time to perform your duties as the officiant, Ada County may ask you to present documentation, which AMM provides for a fee. (You can call the county clerk’s office before you perform the ceremony to ask what documentation they require, or just go ahead and grab one of our minister ordination packages from our store.)

STEP 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Ada 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. If this is your first time officiating, or you just want some guaidance, check out 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 sample wedding ceremony scripts, tips for preparation, 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 and complete the marriage license, but just be sure to double-check that all the information on the marriage license is correct before the ceremony.

In Boise, once you have performed the ceremony and signed the marriage license, you have successfully performed all of your functions as the wedding officiant. The couple will take care of the rest.

File for the Marriage License from the Ada County Clerk's Office

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

You must first complete the online marriage license application before heading in for your appointment at the Recorder's Office.

To obtain your marriage license, you both members of the couple will have to visit Ada County Recorder's Office, which is located in the Courthouse Building at 200 West Front Street in Boise. You’ll find the office on the first floor.

When you go, just remember to bring:

• Both members of the couple’s valid driver's licenses, state identification card, passport, or military identification
• Social Security number
• Birth city and state

Since there is no waiting period in Boise, you could even have the ceremony the very same day, although its probably best to get the paperwork sorted out at least a few days in advance.

Boise’s website says that there is technically no tight timeline on turning the notarized marriage license back in after the ceremony, but notes that if a copy is not turned back into the office within one year of the date of marriage, to contact them at (208) 334-5980. It’s best to just get the signed copy back to their office as soon as possible following the ceremony so it doesn’t become a problem later on.

Below is important information pertaining to marriage licenses issued in Boise. For clarification on what this information means you can check out our Marriage License Laws Explained page.

The Basics

When planning a Boise wedding, you may want to consider the many festivals that take place in Idaho, especially in the spring and summer. The Teton Valley Balloon Rally and Snake River Stampede both take place in July. Then comes the Festival at Sandpoint in early August, following by the Shoshone Bannock Indian Festival the same month. If you steer clear of these events when choosing your wedding date, you’ll avoid some stress on your special day.
 

Transportation

ValleyRide manages the bus system that services Boise’s city limits and the Treasure Valley area. If you’re from out of town and planning a wedding in town, you may find that public transit will suffice. However, if may be best to rent a car, depending on the location of your wedding and other associated events. Lyft and Uber are available in town, as well, so if you’re not keen on renting a car, these services can be a good option.
 

Weather

Boise has a fairly moderate climate and four distinct seasons. It’s known for its hot, dry summers, which last from June until August. Temperatures normally climb to the 80s and low 90s. During the winter, temperatures can drop below freezing, but average in the 30s and 40s. The city averages 18 inches of snow per year compared to the US average of 28.