{"id":34308,"name":"Lexington","state_id":24,"county_id":1396,"created_at":"2019-08-20T10:41:53.807-07:00","updated_at":"2023-10-18T05:40:18.022-07:00","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\u003eSo, you\u0026rsquo;re getting hitched in Lexington? Well, we think you\u0026rsquo;ve made a mighty fine choice. We love this quaint southern city tucked in the rolling green hills of northern Kentucky for many reasons: it\u0026rsquo;s low cost of living, yet high quality of life, loads of Kentucky bourbon and, of course, its world famous horseback riding culture. It\u0026rsquo;s a special time to be a member of the Lexington community, as it seems the town is on the verge of becoming a full-blown city. But its classic southern charm doesn\u0026rsquo;t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWe reckon you\u0026rsquo;ll have a swell time planning your wedding, but before you start with the fun stuff, hold your horses: let\u0026rsquo;s get all the legal to-do\u0026rsquo;s -- like getting your officiant of choice ordained -- out of the way first.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","officiant_section":"\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLet\u0026rsquo;s start with the ordainment process. In Kentucky, ministers, priests, all justices and judges of the Court of Justice, justices of the peace, and fiscal court commissioners may perform wedding ceremonies. You can check out \u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/marriage-laws/kentucky\"\u003eour link\u003c/a\u003e to read all laws concerning marriage in the state.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you do not fall into any of these categories, no sweat. You can \u003ca href=\"/ordination-application\"\u003eget ordained\u003c/a\u003e with AMM to fall within the priest or minister category. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes time to perform your duties as the officiant, Fayette County may ask you to present documentation, which AMM provides for a fee. (You can call the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office before you perform the ceremony to ask if they will require you to bring the certificate in person.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Fayette County\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow 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 requires some preparation. You might want to check out our training pages, which are a great resource of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHere you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes time to sign the marriage license, it\u0026rsquo;s the couple\u0026rsquo;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.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce you have performed the ceremony and signed the marriage license, you have successfully performed all of your functions as the wedding officiant -- all you need to do is make sure that the license is filed with the county clerk after the ceremony. So, sit back, relax and treat yourself to a nice glass of smokey Kentucky bourbon. You\u0026rsquo;ve earned it.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","couple_section":"\u003cp\u003eNow let\u0026rsquo;s turn our attention to the couple\u0026rsquo;s responsibilities. To obtain your marriage license, both members of the couple will have to visit the Fayette County clerk\u0026rsquo;s office 162 East Main Street.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen you go, don\u0026rsquo;t forget to bring:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eA form of ID for both members of the couple (drivers License, current state picture ID or passport)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003e$50 (cash, in-state personal check, or credit card)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no waiting period after your application is accepted, so you can even get married the same day that you walk into the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office to obtain your marriage license.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","wedding_tips":"\u003ch3\u003eThe Basics\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\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.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs Lexington grows, it\u0026rsquo;s seeing an increasing number of local restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries that are energizing the downtown area of the city. The \u003ca href=\"https://www.carrickhouse.com/\"\u003eCarrick House\u003c/a\u003e is a very tasteful venue right in the center that combines classic southern architecture with a hint of a minimalist aesthetic. There\u0026rsquo;s also \u003ca href=\"https://bayoubluegrass.com/limestone-hall/\"\u003eLimestone Hall\u003c/a\u003e, newly converted into a venue space, on the top floor of the historic courthouse built back in 1898. From the outside, it\u0026rsquo;s got that grand, historic nobility, but inside it\u0026rsquo;s got a chic, cocktail party vibe.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnd of course, if you want to go for an outdoor venue, you\u0026rsquo;ll be pleased with the dozens of gorgeous options, from renovated barns to horse stables, to wineries available all around the outskirts of Lexington. One of our top favorites is \u003ca href=\"https://www.spindletophall.org/special-events\"\u003eSpindletop Hall,\u003c/a\u003e just 20 minutes from Lexington, which is the former home of Pansy Yount, wife of oil tycoon Miles Franklin Yount. It\u0026rsquo;s now a University of Kentucky building. To access the property, you drive down a long country road beneath a canopy of trees. The entrance of the grand brick building, framed with regal columns, is the perfect place to say \u0026ldquo;I do.\u0026rdquo; We also love the \u003ca href=\"https://www.talonwine.com/Weddings-PrivateRentals\"\u003eTalon Winery \u003c/a\u003efor a more romantic setting. It\u0026rsquo;s simply stunning at sunset.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOne other quick but important note -- remember to block out the first Saturday in May as a potential wedding date, as this is Kentucky Derby Day. You don\u0026rsquo;t want to compete with the crowds on this special Saturday.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eTransportation\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\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\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eWeather\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\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\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\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\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\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 in-state personal checks are accepted to pay for the $35.50. Note there is a small processing fee to use a credit card.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan we use the Fayette County marriage license anywhere?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Fayette marriage license can be used anywhere in the state of Kentucky.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\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 the marriage certificate that the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office will mail to you to the social security office.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","content_live":true,"marriage_licensing_info":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuance Office:\u003c/strong\u003e 162 East Main Street\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFee:\u003c/strong\u003e $50\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eWaiting Period:\u003c/strong\u003e None\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpiration:\u003c/strong\u003e 30 days\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReturn:\u003c/strong\u003e by Couple\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":""}