How to Officiate a Wedding in Lansing, Michigan

So, you’re getting married in Lansing! Or perhaps you’ve been asked to officiate a wedding in town. Either way, congratulations are in order! You have a big day ahead.

Michigan’s capital has experienced some changes in the last few years. The city’s downtown is beginning to liven up, its food and brewery scene are taking off, and it’s economy has been rated one of the fastest growing in the entire state. But if you’re a local yourself, then you already know what a great city Lansing is. (Go green, go white!) And truly, there’s no better spot to plan a Midwestern wedding than Mid-Michigan!

Here in our guide, we have everything you need to know about how to get married in Michigan, how to legally officiate a wedding, plus some extra wedding planning tips for couples to make sure the entire process goes smoothly. So without further ado, let’s jump into the guide!
 

Step 1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries

Let’s start with the ordainment process. According to Michigan state law, marriages may be performed by “a minister of the gospel or cleric or religious practitioner, anywhere in the state, if the minister or cleric or religious practitioner is ordained or authorized to solemnize marriages according to the usages of the denomination.”

If you’re not an ordained minister yet, no sweat. You can sign up with AMM to perform marriages in the state. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.

The Michigan state government does not license, register, or certify ministers or wedding officiants, so once you’re signed up with us, you’re ready to start performing wedding ceremonies!

Step 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Ingham 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 to the marriage license, it’s the couple’s responsibility to obtain it from the county clerk’s office, but just be sure to double-check that they have a valid marriage license before you perform the ceremony. After the ceremony, be sure to help them complete it and notarize it correctly.

It is also your job as the officiant to return the marriage license to the county clerk’s office in which the couple obtained it. Make sure to do so promptly so that the office can file it and the couple is able to retrieve their marriage certificate.

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

Now let’s turn our attention to the couple’s responsibilities.

You can either apply online or in person. (But if you apply online, you save yourself an extra trip to the county clerk’s office.)

If you have access to a computer, fill out the marriage license application here. Otherwise, you can head down to the office in person to fill out an application. Then, there is a three-day waiting period that begins after you apply.

After the three days have passed, you can obtain your actual marriage license. You should visit the county clerk’s office in which either applicant resides to pick it up.

• When you go, just remember to bring:
• $20 for the marriage license application fee
• Government-issued ID (showing current address)
• Social security numbers of both parties

Then, you’ll be issued your actual marriage license, which your officiant will help you to complete on the day of the wedding.
 

The Basics 

When trying to narrow down your wedding date, be sure to watch out for major events in town, like the jazz festivals. The Lansing JazzFest and the Old Town BluesFest are the largest music festivals that take place in the state. It’s best to steer clear of these events when choosing your wedding date if you want to avoid traffic and parking problems. To be safe, check the local events calendars before committing to a date at a venue. And speaking of venues, let’s talk about some of the options available in town.

You’ve probably been to weddings at the Old Town Marquee and the Cadillac Room before. Both are great options for couples that appreciate a venue with a modern vibe, and both are close to central downtown. 

But if you’re looking for a unique alternative, you might want to check out the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden at Michigan State University. You can say “I do” surrounded by 2,000 species of plants! Or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, why not rent out the Michigan Princess Riverboat for the evening for a nautical-themed wedding?

The options are abundant! But if you want to check out more options outside of Lansing, feel free to do so. If at least one of the members of the couple is a Michigan state resident, then your marriage license is valid throughout the state.

Transportation  

If you’re coming in from out of town and you don’t want to spend a fortune on transportation, there is the public transit system, the Capital Area Transit Authority (CATA). However, it’s really better for commuting to work than it is for getting around town in a hurry. Another option is to use Lyft and/or Uber during your stay, if you really want to avoid renting a car while you’re in town.

Weather

Lansing receives heavy rain in autumn and heavy snowfall during its winters, which last from late November through April. Its summers get hot and humid, starting in late May or June, and can sometimes last until October. The best time for a wedding in Lansing is during the fall, when the temperature is perfectly mild. Spring can also be a nice option, when the flowers are in bloom, but you are risking rain showers. Either way, it’s a good idea to invest in wedding insurance in case of inclement weather.