How to Officiate a Wedding in Naperville, Illinois

If you are looking for the perfect mix of small-town charm and big-city excitement, then one city in Illinois stands above the rest: Naperville. Whether you are planning your wedding, or asked to officiate a wedding ceremony, you’re in for a great time! Located just a hop, skip, and a jump from Chicago, Naperville is known for being family-friendly without sacrificing any of the amenities of modern life. It is safe, clean, and maintains a classic American charm. There is no better place to host your wedding if your goal is to have your family walking away with memories of a lifetime.

If you’re visiting the city for the first time, check out the Naperville Local Historic District to get a sense of the city's unique character. Make sure to check out the Danada House and Elements at Water Street to get a look at some of the best wedding venues the city has to offer. But, before you get too far ahead, it is important to understand the logistics and planning required to have a wedding in Illinois. This guide will walk you through all the steps of planning, officiating, and celebrating a wedding in Naperville.

STEP 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries

Let’s start with the ordainment process. According to marriage laws in Illinois, any person who is a religious or government official can “solemnize” a marriage. This is good news for you because it means that all that is required for you to solemnize a marriage is to become ordained by AMM! We are the only IRS Certified 501c3 Non-Profit that offers free online ordination. The process is quick, easy, and your ordination is valid for life.

Once you get ordained with AMM, there is no additional paperwork ministers need to file with the state to perform the marriage in Illinois. 

STEP 2: Prepare for the ceremony in DuPage County

Now that you have finished the easy part (getting ordained), it’s time to get ready for the ceremony. Being asked to officiate a wedding is one of the biggest honors a friend or family member could ask of you. It can also be a little overwhelming. Don’t worry, we got you covered. It doesn’t matter if you are a first-time officiant or an old hand at officiating; you will appreciate our wedding training pages.  We’ll have you officiating weddings like a pro in no time, and make sure that the couple and guests are impressed. 

We’ll hook you up with everything you need, from sample wedding ceremony scripts and brainstorming prompts to tips for preparation and more.

STEP 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License

At this point, your job is almost done, but there is a tiny bit left for you to do -- and it’s very important! The couple will need to have their marriage license on hand on the day of the wedding. You will need to sign the license, but it is their responsibility to obtain and complete it. On the day of the wedding, make sure they have it with them and check that it is still valid before the ceremony. Make sure that the names are spelled correctly and the dates are accurate.

In DuPage County, once you have performed the ceremony and signed the marriage license, you have successfully performed all of your functions as the wedding officiant. You will then need to return the completed license by mail or deliver it by hand within 10 days of the date of marriage to the clerk’s office in Wheaton, IL. After you have done that, it’s mission accomplished!  Relax and maybe take a stroll down the Naperville Riverwalk.

It is the responsibility of the couple to apply for the marriage license from the DuPage County Clerk’s office. This part of the process is easy and fast. A marriage license is issued immediately and becomes effective 24 hours later. The license is valid for 60 days.

Start the application online to save time, but just remember that, upon completing the application, both parties MUST then appear at the DuPage County Clerk's office and present proof of age and proper identification.

The County Clerk’s office is located at 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187. It is a good idea to call and make an appointment at 630-407-6500. They will also be able to help you answer any lingering questions you may have about the application process.

When you go, just remember to:

• Bring License Fee of $35 (payable in cash, check, or credit card for a $1.00 fee).
• One form of valid, government issued photo ID (driver's License, state ID, passport, military ID, etc.).
• Printout of the confirmation email (if you filed for an application online).
• Double check your marriage qualifications (i.e. 18 years of age).

If either applicant has been married previously, and within the last six months, then a certified copy of the death record, dissolution, or annulment decree must be presented. You must provide the month, date and year, county, and state in which a previous marriage or civil union ended.

That’s all you have to do! Your officiant will be the person responsible for returning the completed marriage license after the ceremony.

The Basics

Because Naperville is so close to Chicago, you will be able to enjoy the calm charm of the city while still being within driving distance of all that Chicago has to offer. Keep in mind, however, your DuPage County license is only good to use within county lines, so if you were planning to pick a venue in Chicago or elsewhere in the state, you’ll have to obtain your marriage license in the appropriate county. But, there is still plenty to enjoy within Naperville -  from the “Last Fling” end of summer festival to the Civil War Days in May, where a piece of the city is transformed into an authentic slice of 1863 Americana.

But, where Naperville really shines is in its wedding scene. Here are our top 3 picks for the best wedding venues in the city:

If you want to enjoy a regal wedding in a mansion snuggled away in a beautiful, natural setting, the Danada House should be your first choice. Their motto is “modern elegance + natural beauty” and they do not disappoint. You and 250 guests can host your wedding in an all-weather atrium nestled amongst the DuPage County Forest Preserve District. The Danada house will give you the ability to have a wedding amongst nature despite the weather conditions. Going with this venue will ensure your wedding is filled with splendor and good memories.

Next up on the list is a venue with a bit of a unique flavor - Mesón Sabika. This is an exotic mansion that is known for its Spanish stylings. Able to house up to 300 guests and boasting two floors that can be rented out, this 173-year-old mansion is on 4 acres near downtown Naperville. In the warmer months, guests can enjoy their award-winning patio, and in the colder seasons, they can dine indoors and experience the stylings of a Mediterranean Villa. Best of all though is the food. You and your guests will be able to experience the tastes of Spain from Tapas to Sangria.

The final choice is a more modern location called Elements at Water Street. Known for their exceptional service, they offer everything from personalized tastings, to a premium full bar service, to custom menu planning. Weddings hosted here feel crisp and modern with their ribbon wood ceiling, open-air access to the second-floor balcony, and a large dance floor. The venue is located in the suburbs on the second floor of the Hotel Indigo, so you and your guests will only have a short walk to their room after the reception.

Transportation

Naperville’s 145,000 residents enjoy all the amenities of big-city living. If you don’t drive, you can get around Naperville on their Pace Bus system, Metra, and Amtrak. There are three public parking decks and half a dozen ground-level spaces, so there will be no shortage of parking for your guests to enjoy the local shopping - including retail stores and eclectic boutiques. On a sunny day, make sure to walk around the Millennium Carillon along the Riverwalk and play at Centennial Beach. You can find bus routes and a trip planning tool on the city’s website. If the routes aren’t lining up with your travel needs, you can always utilize Lyft and Uber as an alternative to renting a car.

Weather

The weather in Naperville can be a bit of a crapshoot. Illinois can have intense storms with tornadoes and lighting, so it is important to pick a venue that has indoor capacity. The most popular wedding times in this area are autumn and summer, so you will need to plan early and accordingly for this because demand heats up. No matter the season though, Naperville is beautiful and the perfect location for your dream wedding.