{"id":34308,"name":"Lexington","state_id":24,"county_id":1396,"created_at":"2019-08-20T10:41:53.807-07:00","updated_at":"2026-10-02T12:13:07.896-07:00","meta_description":"Learn about officiating weddings and planning ceremonies in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky","head_tag":"A Lexington Ceremony Guide for Wedding Ministers and Couples","tagline":"A Bluegrass Wedding!","intro_section":"\u003cp\u003eGetting married in Lexington, or asked to officiate a friend\u0026#39;s wedding there?\u0026nbsp;We love this vibrant southern city, tucked in the rolling green hills of northern Kentucky, and bet you do too. It\u0026#39;s hard not too, with the city\u0026#39;s high quality of life, natural beauty, sports and horseback riding, an unbeatable indie\u0026nbsp;arts and\u0026nbsp;music scene - not to mention those strong pours of Kentucky bourbon. And despite being a destination city, Lexington\u0026#39;s at no risk of losing its classic southern charm.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFirst, we cover how to \u003cstrong\u003ebecome a wedding officiant in Kentucky\u003c/strong\u003e, including any legal requirements you need to know to officiate a wedding in Lexington, and tips on writing your wedding script and delivering the ceremony with confidence.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThen, we turn our attention to the lovebirds, and tell you how to \u003cstrong\u003eapply for an Kentucky\u0026nbsp;marriage license\u003c/strong\u003e, important dates to remember, popular \u003cstrong\u003eLexinton, KY wedding venues\u003c/strong\u003e, and tips for getting around the city on your wedding day.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLet\u0026rsquo;s get started!\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"aerial view of historic lexington ky \" src=\"https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/amm-prod/app/public/ckeditor_assets/pictures/5790/content_wedding-officiant-lexington-ky.jpg?1790966319\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:100% !important;\" /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e(Get married in Lexington, KY! Photo:\u0026nbsp;Sean Pavone / iStock)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","officiant_section":"\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 1: Get Ordained to Officiate with American Marriage Ministries\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLet\u0026rsquo;s start with the legal basics: who can officiate a wedding in Kentucky? In addition to various judges and justices, Kentucky allows all ministers, including \u003cstrong\u003eonline ordained ministers of American Marriage Ministries\u003c/strong\u003e, to perform weddings there\u0026nbsp;(\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/marriage-laws/kentucky/217\"\u003eKentucky Revised Statutes \u0026sect; 402.050\u003c/a\u003e).\u0026nbsp;Getting ordained online with AMM is free and only takes a minute. Click the link below to begin.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/weddings-by-state/kentucky/get-ordained\"\u003eGET ORDAINED IN KENTUCKY\u0026nbsp;\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/bodas-por-estado/kentucky/ser-ordenado\"\u003eC\u0026Oacute;MO ORDENARTE EN KENTUCKY\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMinister registration is not required to perform weddings in Arizona, which means that once you\u0026rsquo;re ordained, you are legally allowed to officiate throughout the state! No additional paperwork is needed.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, we recommend that all new ministers \u003cstrong\u003eorder a copy of their ministry credentials\u003c/strong\u003e to keep in their personal records. These documents demonstrate your standing as an ordained minister with American Marriage Ministries. You may wish to \u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/store/products/custom-wood-certificate-frame\"\u003eframe and display them\u003c/a\u003e in your office, or provide them to your wedding couple and Fayette County officials as proof of your authority to solemnize marriage in the state.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/store#credentials\"\u003eORDER YOUR MINISTER CREDENTIALS\u0026nbsp;\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ePURCHASE THE\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/store/products/minister-ordination-package\"\u003e AMM\u0026nbsp;MINISTER ORDINATION PACKAGE\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCOMPRE EL \u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/store/products/minister-ordination-package-en-espanol\"\u003ePAQUETE DE ORDENACI\u0026Oacute;N MINISTERIAL DE LA AMM (EN ESPA\u0026Ntilde;OL)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"bride and groom pose with a sweet horse on the wedding day\" src=\"https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/amm-prod/app/public/ckeditor_assets/pictures/5791/content_get-married-in-lexington-ky-wedding-officiant-marriage-license-ky.jpg?1790966821\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:100% !important;\" /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e(Photo:\u0026nbsp;Vesnaandjic / iStock)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 2: Prepare for the Wedding in Fayette County\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow that we\u0026#39;ve covered how to become a wedding officiant, let\u0026#39;s talk about how to prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. This is the fun part!\u0026nbsp;And while being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor, it does require\u0026nbsp;some special preparation. We strongly recommend that you start with our wedding officiant training pages to get a good idea of your role (and what a wedding officiant actually does on the wedding day): \u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/officiant-training\"\u003eAMM Wedding Officiant Training\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThen, dig into our comprehensive collection of resources linked below to write a personalized wedding ceremony script, collaborate with the couple, and practice your public speaking skills:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/articles/2897-the-ultimate-guide-for-first-time-wedding-officiants-all-our-best-resources-in-o\"\u003eThe Ultimate Guide for First-Time Wedding Officiants: All Our Best Resources in One Place!\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/ceremony-scripts\"\u003eAMM\u0026#39;s Wedding Ceremony Script Library\u003c/a\u003e (Hundreds of free sample wedding officiant scripts)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/officiant-training\"\u003eWedding Officiant Training\u003c/a\u003e (Online\u0026nbsp;training guides)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/blog\"\u003eAMM\u0026#39;s American Weddings Blog\u003c/a\u003e (Thousands of articles on officiating, wedding planning, and more)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/articles/2848-the-ultimate-guide-to-wedding-unity-ceremony-ideas-all-in-one-resource\"\u003eThe Ultimate Guide to Wedding Unity Ceremony Ideas: All-In-One Resource\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/store/products/asked-to-officiate\"\u003eAsked To Officiate: Your Complete Guide to a Perfect Ceremony \u003c/a\u003e(Wedding officiant guide book)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/store/products/the-book-of-wedding-vows-and-ceremonies\"\u003eThe Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies\u003c/a\u003e (Printed collection of ceremony scripts)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Kentucky Marriage License\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn the day of the wedding, it\u0026rsquo;s the officiant\u0026rsquo;s responsibility to guide the couple through their wedding ceremony and then complete the marriage license along with two adult witnesses. The completed marriage license must be returned to the office where it was issued within 30 days of the wedding.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to the \u003ca href=\"https://fayettekyclerk.gov/marriage-license/\"\u003eFayette County Clerk\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;website: \u0026ldquo;the marriage must take place with an officiant and 2 witnesses. 5 individuals, including the 2 parties being married, must be present for the ceremony. \u0026nbsp;The officiant cannot also be a witness, and neither of the parties being married can serve also as officiant.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003eConfirm the KY marriage license is valid\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBefore the wedding begins, confirm that the couple has their marriage license with them at the ceremony, and that the marriage license is valid. You must check that the names printed on the marriage license match the couple\u0026rsquo;s IDs, and that the marriage license has not expired.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003eDelivering the wedding ceremony\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the wedding, remember to take your time and enjoy this special moment. We recommend that you print a copy of your wedding script to read from, so that you don\u0026rsquo;t forget any parts of the ceremony. If you make a mistake, smile and keep on going - it\u0026rsquo;s ok! Like most live events, weddings don\u0026rsquo;t always go exactly to plan, but we know you\u0026rsquo;ll do a wonderful job at handling whatever surprises the day brings.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003eFill out the Kentucky\u0026nbsp;marriage license: Signatures \u0026amp; details\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs mentioned above, it\u0026rsquo;s your responsibility as the officiant to complete the marriage license and return it to the issuing office before the 30-day deadline passes. You and the witness must print and sign your names in the spaces marked.\u0026nbsp;We have two detailed guides to help you complete the marriage license correctly:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/officiant-training/how-to-fill-out-a-marriage-license\"\u003eHow To Fill Out A Marriage License As An Officiant\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;(General Info)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/articles/2948-how-to-fill-out-a-kentucky-marriage-license-with-samples-faqs\"\u003eHow to Fill out an Kentucky Marriage License with Examples \u0026amp; FAQs\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;(State-Specific Info)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003eReturn the marriage license to the Kentucky county clerk office where it was issued\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYour last duty as a Lexington wedding officiant is to return the completed marriage license to the same county office that issued it, within 30 days of the wedding.\u0026nbsp;This might be the Fayette County Clerk\u0026#39;s Office (if the couple applied locally), or a county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office in a nearby county. You can return the license by mail or in person.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce the license is returned, your job is complete. Congratulations!\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","couple_section":"\u003cp\u003eNow let\u0026rsquo;s turn our attention to the couple\u0026rsquo;s responsibilities. All couples must purchase a marriage license to get married in Kentucky, and marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk Office.\u0026nbsp;Once issued, your marriage license can be used anywhere in the state.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you apply for a marriage license in Lexington, KY, you and your partner will visit the\u0026nbsp;Fayette County Clerk\u0026nbsp;Office: 162 East Main Street,\u0026nbsp;Room 132. The marriage license counter is open Monday \u0026ndash; Friday, 8:00 a.m. \u0026ndash; 4:30 p.m.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo save time in the clerk\u0026#39;s office, you\u0026nbsp;can complete the this\u0026nbsp;online form anytime before your visit: \u003ca href=\"https://www.fayettedeeds.com/marriageform/index/php\"\u003eFayette County Clerk Online Marriage Form.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKentucky Marriage License Requirements:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eBoth applicants must appear in person and be 18 years old or older. (Applicants who are 17 years old can get married with special permission, contact the clerk directly with questions.)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eGovernment-issued, original identification is required\u0026nbsp;for both applicants. Clerks recommend bringing\u0026nbsp;multiple pieces of ID if possible. Accepted forms of ID indlude your\u0026nbsp;driver\u0026rsquo;s license, passport, REAL ID, birth certificate, or court papers with name and birthdate.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003e$60 (cash, credit card, or check)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eThe marriage license can be used anywhere in the Commonwealth of Kentucky\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere\u0026#39;s no marraige waiting period in Kentucky, so you can get married as soon as your marriage license is issued. \u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/articles/1262-can-you-get-married-on-the-same-day-you-get-a-marriage-license\"\u003eSame-day weddings\u003c/a\u003e are allowed in Kentucky!\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","wedding_tips":"\u003ch3\u003eThe Basics: Choosing a Wedding Date \u0026amp; Venue\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLexington is just an hour from Louisville, an hour and a half from Cincinnati, and about three hours from Nashville, so if you\u0026rsquo;re family and friends are spread out in the region, it\u0026rsquo;s a perfect middle point.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen choosing your wedding date,\u0026nbsp;you might want to avoid\u0026nbsp;the first Saturday in May,\u0026nbsp;as this is Kentucky Derby Day. This event attracts crowds from around the world, and you may not want to compete with thousands of visitors\u0026nbsp;for finite lodging, dinner reservations, vendor bookings, car rentals, and other services. There\u0026#39;s always something fun going down in Lexington though, so you might want to check the \u003ca href=\"https://www.visitlex.com/events/\"\u003ecity\u0026#39;s special events calendar\u003c/a\u003e before setting\u0026nbsp;a date.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eWedding Venues: Lexington, KY\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLexington is home to a knockout roster of local restaurants,\u0026nbsp;breweries and bars, and unforgettable event spaces\u0026nbsp;that will keep you and your guests energized all day long. Below are a few Lexington, KY wedding venues that have been recommended by city\u0026nbsp;locals and visitors\u0026nbsp;alike. (AMM is not affiliated with any of these venues;\u0026nbsp;we\u0026#39;re just passing along a variety of options to consider.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.carrickhouse.com/\"\u003eCarrick House\u003c/a\u003e: Located in historic downtown Lexington, not far from Gratz Park and Translyvania University, this\u0026nbsp;tasteful wedding venue combines classic southern architecture with a sleek, modern aesthetic. Stunning columns at the entrance, high ceilings throughout, and large windows that let in the natural light - this venue offers an elegant backdrop for your vows and photos. Their on-site staff are well-respected too, offering custom food and drink menues, formal seated dinners, and exceptional hospitality.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://jhospgroup.com/132-2/\"\u003eLimestone Hall\u003c/a\u003e: This historic wedding venue in downtown Lexington is located on\u0026nbsp;the top floor of an old courthouse - built back in 1898. From the outside, Limestone Hall has an endlessly-photogenic charm -\u0026nbsp;grand, moneyed, and elegant. Inside, the venue is chic and modern, with a stylish cocktail party vibe.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spindletophall.org/special-events\"\u003eSpindletop Hall\u003c/a\u003e, Lexington: This posh private country club and wedding venue is postitively dripping with old world charm (and old world wealth!). If you\u0026#39;ve been dreaming of Gatsby-worthy wedding reception venue in Lexington,\u0026nbsp;this might be the one. After you take your vows, join your guests in the banquet hall under crystal chandeliers, pose for photos on a luxurious curved staircase, then unwind while walking the manicured grounds, or while sipping cocktails beside the pool.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.talonwine.com/Weddings-PrivateRentals\"\u003eTalon Winery\u003c/a\u003e: Kentucky is perfect for a wedding at a winery, and this one of our favorites in the area! Talon Winery specializes in weddings, and offers two stunning on-site ceremony locations: The Ca\u0026rdquo;Barn\u0026rdquo;et Barrel Barn for a\u0026nbsp;quintessential southern barn wedding; and the\u0026nbsp;Monarch Pavilion, which offers\u0026nbsp;covered areas and lawn seating. Special events can be hosted here yearround, and the open sky and peaceful countryside setting\u0026nbsp;make it a perfect choice for a romantic sunset wedding.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eTransportation\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.lextran.com/\"\u003eLextran\u003c/a\u003e is good for getting around downtown, but if you need to get to the outskirts of the city or the countryside, driving is the only way to go. If you or your guests are coming in from out of town and do not have a car, the best option is to rent one, or save a little money by using rideshare services, like Lyft and Uber, which are available in the area.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eWeather\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKentucky has four distinct seasons: hot, humid summers, moderately cold winters, colorful chilly autumns, and mild springs. Be warned that Kentucky is part of Hoosier Alley and storms are known to occur around April and May, so if you\u0026rsquo;re planning a spring wedding, you are running a risk, but it\u0026rsquo;s a minute one. Locals say that the best time of year to visit is during the fall when the leaves are changing and the heat of the summer heat has dissipated.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","faq":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need to make an appointment to get a marriage license in Lexington KY?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNo need. Just head on down to the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office, which is open on weekdays from 8 to 4:30.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo you need a Kentucky state ID to get a marriage license?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNo, any government issued ID is fine.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow can we pay for the marriage license fee in Lexington KY?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCash, credit card or checks are accepted to pay for your marriage license. Note there is a small processing fee to use a credit card.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan we use the Fayette County marriage license anywhere in the state?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYes, you can apply for a Kentucky marriage license in any county, to be used anywhere in the state.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I change my name after I get married?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYou will need to take a certified copy of\u0026nbsp;your\u0026nbsp;KY marriage certificate to the social security office.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","content_live":true,"marriage_licensing_info":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuance Office:\u003c/strong\u003e 162 East Main Street, Rm. 132\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFee:\u003c/strong\u003e $60\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eWaiting Period:\u003c/strong\u003e None\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpiration:\u003c/strong\u003e 30 Days From Issuance\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReturn:\u003c/strong\u003e By Officiant, 30 Days From Wedding\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","meta_description_esp":null,"head_tag_esp":null,"tagline_esp":null,"intro_section_esp":"","officiant_section_esp":"","couple_section_esp":"","wedding_tips_esp":"","faq_esp":"","content_live_esp":false,"marriage_licensing_info_esp":""}