How to Officiate a Wedding in Manchester, New Hampshire

New Hampshirites have taken to calling their most populous town “Manch-Vegas” as a facetious poke at the quiet lifestyle here, but that doesn’t mean you can’t throw an absolute rager of a wedding in NH. Actually, because the state’s nightlife is so lowkey, the locals really know how to get their (private) party on -- but if you’re a townie, you already know that.

Whether your family has been living in the chillest corner of New England for generations or you’re marrying into the NH clan, you’ll want to bookmark our wedding guide, which has all the need-to-know info about getting married in Hillsborough County. We cover all the pertinent bureaucratic to-do’s and give you some extra tips that’ll ensure your big day goes off without a hitch (and goes down in history in your crew.)

Let’s start with getting your officiant of choice legally ordained.

STEP 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries

According to Hillsborough County Clerk’s website, “a minister of the gospel in New Hampshire who has been ordained to the usage of his denomination, resides in New Hampshire and is in regular standing with the denomination” or “a minister within his parish, residing outside New Hampshire, but having a pastoral charge wholly or partly in New Hampshire.”

Regardless of whether or not you’re a New Hampshire resident, you can get ordained with AMM to become a legal minister. The process takes just a few minutes.

However, if you are not a resident of New Hampshire, then you are also required to register your ministerial credentials with the office of the New Hampshire Secretary of State. (New Hampshire residents don’t need to complete this additional step.) We can provide you with an official document with your new credentials for a small fee to present to the secretary of state’s office. 

STEP 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Hillsborough County

Now that the legal 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 the marriage license itself, it’s the couple’s responsibility to head to the city clerk’s office to apply for it, but before the wedding day, just double check that they have obtained their marriage license and help them complete it correctly.

In Manchester, once you have performed the ceremony and notarized the marriage license, either you or one of the members of the couple needs to return it to the city clerk’s office within 6 days of the wedding. Kudos points if you run that errand for them so they can enjoy their honeymoon.

Hillsborough County makes it easy for couples to get hitched. To apply for your marriage license, both members of the couple need to head down to the Office of the City Clerk at One City Hall Plaza Manchester, NH 03101.

When you go, just remember to bring:

• Photo IDs (driver’s license or passport)
• $50 for marriage license fee.

If either member of the couple has ever been married before, you’ll also need a final divorce decree, certified copy of a death certificate of a former spouse or certified copy of a civil annulment decree. That’s it! After you’ve obtained your marriage license, your wedding officiant will help you fill it out.

The Basics

Now, let’s narrow your wedding date! After you have an idea of which season you and your partner want to get married, check a few of the local events calendars to see what’s going on during those months. If there are any highly attended events taking place on a date you’re considering for your wedding, try to avoid those. You don’t want to pick the same day as, say, the Annual Best of NH Party. Hotel accommodation prices in Manchester tend to be higher around that time and traffic and limited parking could pose a problem for guests.

If you’re looking for a venue with all the bells and whistles, the Bedford Village Inn is a great choice near Manchester. The previously small farm-turned deluxe inn/restaurant/spa/venue is only a few miles from the airport, making it convenient for your guests coming in from out of state. The property has a very classic, sophisticated aesthetic for a couple dreaming of a formal, dignified affair. Another great option is the LaBelle Winery; its indoor reception hall is as beautiful as its surrounding grounds and is just a 20-minute drive from Manchester. Plus, you’re guaranteed to have great wine served on your big day.

Those are our favorites in the Manchester area, but remember -- you can also use your Hillsborough County marriage anywhere in the state, so the sky's the limit! Speaking of, if you want to say “I do” on the summit of the White Mountains, check out the Mountain Club at Loon -- about an hour and a half’s drive from Manchester; the epic view is truly unbeatable. Or if you’re craving a more downhome vibe, you’ll probably dig the Woodstock Inn Brewery, which has all the amenities you’ll need, including a restaurant and lodging, in the heart of the mountains. Having all your guests holed up in its rustic quarters with fountains of craft beer for a weekend is a recipe for a party to remember.

Transportation

If you’re driving in from out of town, you’ll find that the city is close to highways going east/west and north/south and easily accessible from anywhere in New England. Once you’re here, it only takes one to two hours to drive anywhere in the state of New Hampshire.

Manchester itself has a pretty decent public transportation system. The Manchester Transit Authority runs a bus service throughout the town and provides connections to Nashua and Concord, as well as the Green Dash, a free shuttle that runs from the Millyard area through downtown. There’s also a bus service to Boston's South Station and Logan International Airport from downtown Manchester is provided by Boston Express (Concord Coachlines) every day of the week. 

Weather

One great attribute of New Hampshire is its four distinct seasons, so there is a wide variety of weather throughout the year, from blizzards to summer humidity. According to The Knot, autumn is the most popular season to get married in New Hampshire. By October, the fall foliage is bursting and the average daily high temperatures have started to cool down to a slightly chilly 55-60 degrees. New Hampshire is known for its harsh winters, but perhaps you’d like to take advantage of the winter wonderland landscape on your wedding day (and the low rental rates!) Here’s a list of venues in NH that would love to host your winter wedding. If you’d rather enjoy some warm weather, it starts getting warm in late May and stays beautiful, in the 75-85 degree range, all summer.