How to Officiate a Wedding in Joliet, Illinois

In a true blue-collar town like Joliet, can you have a truly beautiful wedding? The answer is yes. Downtown Joliet is home to some of Illinois’ most elegant venues, rivaling the glamour of Chicago!

But before we get too wrapped up in the wedding planning process, let’s take care of your legal to-do list first, such as getting your officiant-of-choice ordained and obtaining your marriage license. We have all the need-to-know info right here in our guide. So without further ado, let’s get into it!

STEP 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries

Let’s start with the ordainment process. According to Will County Clerk’s website, any “religious official or other designated officiant as prescribed by any religious denomination, Indian Nation or Tribe or Native Group, provided the officiant be in good standing with said religious denomination, Indian Nation or Tribe or Native Group” may perform wedding ceremonies.

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

The Illinois 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 Will 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. Also, be sure to help them complete it and notarize it correctly.

In Joliet, it may also be your responsibility to return the marriage license to the county clerk’s office after the ceremony. The marriage license will provide this information.
 

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

To obtain your marriage license, you will both need to make an appointment with the Will County Clerk’s Office. You can give them a call at (815) 740-4615.

When you go to your allotted appointment time, just remember to bring:

• Completed marriage license application worksheet
• $35 for the marriage license application fee
• Valid, state-issued ID (driver’s license, state ID card, passport or military ID)
• Copies of death or divorce certificates from previous spouses

Once you’ve presented all of the required documentation and paid the marriage license fee, you will be granted your marriage license. Your officiant will help you complete it on the day of the wedding.
 

The Basics

Now, onto our wedding planning tips! When choosing your wedding date, be sure to keep Joliet’s event calendar in mind. You don’t want to choose a date that falls on the same day as one of the town’s major festivals, charity runs, concerts or game days, as traffic and parking can be an issue. 

Wedding Venues -- Joliet is home to some real gems when it comes to wedding venues. In the downtown area, you can find the Jacob Henry Mansion and the Haley Mansion, both of which provide a romantic Victorian-era setting for your big day. 

The Grand Ballroom at Joliet Union Station is another option that appeals to history buffs. This bustling travel hub turned grand ballroom is both unique and elegant.

If you’re looking for something a little more casual, you might like the Heritage Prairie Farm, which hosts a rustic barn, multiple cocktail and ceremony locations, an evening bonfire space, and farm-to-table cuisine -- just some of its charming qualities.

Transportation

If you want to get around Joliet on the cheap, you can utilize the city’s public transit system, Pace Bus Service. Otherwise, Lyft and Uber are good alternatives if you don’t want to navigate the public transit system during your stay in Joliet.

Weather

Illinois is known for its unpredictable weather. Floods, tornadoes, blizzards, lighting storms are all in the realm of possibility. The Chicago area has cold, snowy winters, balmy summers, unpredictable springtimes, but beautiful autumns. Most couples choose to get married during the summer or fall. However, if you pick a date outside of wedding season, you can score some pretty amazing deals. If you do, we recommend that you look into buying wedding insurance and make sure if you’re planning an outdoor reception that your venue has alternative spaces in case of unexpected weather.