How to Officiate a Wedding in Wichita, Kansas

Wichita has the best of both worlds -- the charm of a small Midwestern town, and the amenities of a bigger city. So, if you’re planning your wedding in the Wichita area, you’ll be delighted with the variety of wedding venues and catering options at your fingertips.

At AMM, we’re here to help you get the logistics of your marriage squared away, starting with getting your minister of choice ordained. Let us walk you through the need-to-knows of getting married in Wichita.

Step 1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries

Let’s start with the ordainment process. In Kansas, you can perform marriage ceremonies if you are:

• A licentiate of a denominational body,
• A judge or justice of a court of record,
• Or an ordained clergyman of any religious denomination

If you do not fall into any of these categories, we’ve got you covered. You can get ordained with AMM to become an ordained clergyman. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.

When it comes time to perform your duties as the officiant, Sedgwick County may ask you to present documentation, which AMM provides for a fee.

Step 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Sedgwick 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 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 they have a valid marriage license before the ceremony.

Once the ceremony is complete, you, the officiant are responsible for returning the license to the County Clerk’s Office.

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

The couple will need to apply for the marriage license at the Sedgwick County Clerk’s Office. To help save time at the appointment, first complete the online marriage license application. Both members of the couple must be present to apply for the marriage license.

When you apply for your marriage license, the office will ask you to provide:

• Legal names
• Dates of birth
• Social Security Numbers
• Proof of ID (driver’s license or passport)

The office will then give you a worksheet to fill out which is due back to the office within 3 calendar days. One it is returned, you will be granted your marriage license.

The Basics

Spring and summer are the best seasons to plan a wedding in Wichita, as the weather is the most pleasant, but it’s also when most of the annual events and festivals take place. If you’re planning to have a wedding near the city center, just be sure that you avoid scheduling your wedding on top of events like the Bacon, Beer & Bourbon Festival in May or the Jazz Festival in March.

Wichita’s venue options run the gamut. While there are plenty of traditional event spaces, you’ll also find some kitschy gems. If you’re dreaming of a Pinterest-esq barn style wedding, you may want to check out The Barn at Grace Hill, which offers beautiful white backdrops inside its spacious interior. Or, if you’re into a more industrial, modern vibe, Distillery 244 in Old Town is an up-and-coming favorite for the edgier couple.

Transportation

Getting around Wichita is quick and easy, thanks to the city’s low amount of traffic. It also has a good public transportation and free trolley that you may want to take advantage of, and downtown is a 10-minute drive from Eisenhower National Airport, so out-of-town guests won’t have too much trouble navigating. Renting a car is always a good option, but Lyft and Uber are also available in the city. 

Weather

Wichita has weather typical of the Midwest -- hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. It can also experience severe thunderstorms during the spring and summer, so if you’re planning an outdoor wedding during these months, just be prepared for a downpour. Locals say the best time to visit is in April and May, before the weather gets too hot, so this would be the ideal time to plan an outdoor wedding.