How to Officiate a Wedding in Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte is all about that traditional South East Coast charm. A massive influx of Christian denominations in the 19th century gave it the nickname the City of Churches, which these days, means dozens of gorgeous locations for traditional weddings. Queen City has two professional league teams for NBA and NFL fans, and was one of the locations for the film Days of Thunder at the Charlotte Speedway. So if you were worried, it’s also a pretty happening place!

Charlotte has a wealth of options for your special day with friends and loved ones whether you host your wedding downtown in a posh hotel, or in the countryside at a rustic homestead with ties to early American history.

But before you delve into planning the fun stuff, let us help you with the technical details, starting with getting your minister of choice ordained.
 

Step 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries

According to the Mecklenburg County Clerk’s website, the wedding must be officiated by a magistrate or minister, or any other person authorized by their religious denomination, or a federally recognized Indian Tribe may perform the marriage ceremony. If you’re not ordained by a religious organization, you’re in luck. You can get ordained with AMM -- the process is free and takes just a few minutes. Once you’ve got that box checked, we’ll get to the good stuff.

Step 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Mecklenburg County

Now that you’ve got your credentials taken care of, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is a true honor, but requires a bit of preparation. 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 sign the marriage license, it’s the couple’s responsibility to obtain and complete the marriage license. Mecklenburg County does not require a waiting period from the issuance of the marriage license, but the wedding ceremony must be completed within 60 days of issuance, or the marriage license will expire.

Once you have performed the ceremony and signed the marriage license, you have successfully performed all of your functions as the wedding officiant. Make sure to remind the couple to return the signed and completed marriage license to the county clerk’s office before 60 days from the date of issuance. Ideally, the license should be returned right away, since that’s when the marriage is recorded into government records.

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

To get your marriage license, both members of the couple will have to visit the County Clerk’s office at:

720 East Fourth Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

To save some time at your appointment, first complete the online marriage license application.

There is not a requirement by Mecklenburg County that you are a resident of North Carolina. The marriage license is only valid in the state of North Carolina.

When you go, remember to bring the following:

• $60
• Photo IDs
• Social Security Numbers (if applicable)

Once you’ve completed your marriage application and had it signed by your officiant return it to the Mecklenburg County Clerk.

The Basics

Charlotte is a beautiful city with early American history, rolling countryside and stunning mountaintops. Your guests will have lots of opportunities to explore when they visit Charlotte. Be sure to take a look at the city’s event pages before you select your wedding date, since large events will draw crowds and fill up nearby hotels, and also increase the cost of booking rooms. 

Depending on what you are considering for wedding venues, Charlotte has a variety of downtown spaces, like the picturesque Founders Hall or the Duke Mansion, a 32,000 square foot mansion built in 1915. 

If you prefer the countryside, there are many great options as well. Alexander Homestead is a restored Victorian estate from 1903. Ballantyne Country Club has space for up to 200 guests on a classic golf and country club with friendly staff and traditional southern hospitality.

Transportation

A rental car is suggested for out of town guests for getting around downtown, or for checking out some nearby mountain hikes such as Chimney Rock, there are also rideshare options as well if guests are staying in downtown.

Weather

Charlotte offers a humid subtropical climate. Summers in Charlotte experience fairly ideal weather, with temperatures averaging around 70 degrees most of June, July, and August. Winter will dip into the 30s with average high temperatures above 50 degrees.