How to Officiate a Wedding in Louisville, Kentucky

These days, Kentucky is known as the birthplace of Bourbon and the international fried poultry sensation KFC, but there’s more to this quiet corner of the Southern Midwest than its iconic culinary innovations — the culture and history of this state is steeped thicker than a glass of your Southern grandma’s sweet tea. It’s the birthplace of Bluegrass music (so you can thank Kentucky for your folksy hipster summer Spotify playlist), the oldest horse race is the country, and everyone’s favorite A-list actor, Johnny Depp. 

While many think of Kentucky as a conservative state, it’s capitol, Louisville is a multicultural oasis, with amenities like museums, universities and a diverse array of restaurants, with the benefit of having the quaint feel of a small Southern town. So whether you’re from the area or you’re marrying a Kentuckian, we think it’s the perfect spot to kick off a lifetime of marital bliss. 

Here at AMM, it’s our job to help you take care of the logistics of your marriage ceremony,  like getting your officiant of choice licensed and obtaining your marriage license, so you can focus on planning a good old fashioned (or new fashioned) Kentucky wedding your guests will never forget. Without further ado, let’s get started.

STEP 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries

Let’s start with the ordainment process. According to Jefferson County Clerk’s website, the following persons may perform wedding ceremonies: 

• Clergy, justices and judges of the Court of Justice; retired justices and judges of the Court of Justice, except those removed for cause or convicted of a felony, county judge/executives; such justices of the peace and fiscal court commissioners as the Governor or the county judge/executive authorizes, and certain religious societies.
• A minister or priest, all justices and judges of the Court of Justice, justices of the peace, and fiscal court commissioners

Don’t fall into any of those categories? No problem. You can get ordained with AMM to become an official minister in Kentucky. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.

STEP 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Jefferson 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 a true honor, but can feel like a lot of pressure if it’s your first time. You might like our wedding training pages, which are a great resource of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly. You’ll 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 it, but just be sure to double-check that they have it in their possession before the ceremony.

In Kentucky, once you have performed the ceremony and signed the marriage license, you have successfully performed all of your functions as the wedding officiant. The couple will take care of the rest.

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

To obtain your marriage license, both members of the couple will have to visit the county clerk’s office at Metro Hall, 527 W. Jefferson St.

When you go, all you need to bring is:

• A form of ID for both members of the couple (drivers License, current state picture ID, or passport)
• $50 (cash, check, or credit card)

There is no waiting period after your application is accepted, so you can technically get married the same day that you walk into the county clerk’s office to obtain your marriage license.

The Basics

When choosing your wedding date, you may want to plan around Louisville’s major events, which draw in crowds and hike up hotel prices. At the top of the list is, of course, the Kentucky Derby, which draws in more than 150,000 people the first Saturday of each May. It’s best to choose another weekend if you’re planning a spring wedding. Besides the Derby, be sure to comb through Louisville’s event pages to make sure nothing major is happening close to your venue of choice to save your guests from traffic or parking issues.

Speaking of venues, Louisville has a diverse array of options.

If you’re dreaming of a more classic wedding, you’ll love venues like The Pointe and the Crowne Plaza. But if you want to mix it up, there are some unique, non-traditional options, as well. For the couple that loves nature, check out the Yew Dell Botanical Gardens in Crestwood. Or, if you really want to incorporate the spirit of Louisville, you can tie the knot at the Kentucky Derby Museum. If it sounds a bit goofy, check out the photos -- they might change your mind. 

Transportation

Most Lousvillians drive to get around town, as the city’s public transit system is not the best or most reliable. 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, which are available in the area.

Weather

Kentucky 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’re planning a spring wedding, you are running a risk, but it’s a minute one. Locals say that the best time of year to visit Louisville is during the fall when the leaves are changing and the heat of the summer heat has dissipated.