How to Officiate a Wedding in High Point, North Carolina

So you’re getting hitched in High Point. First of all, congratulations! You’ll love everything about this down-home North Carolina city, from its theaters, art galleries, and museums to the escape rooms and butterfly farms. If you’re a beer enthusiast, you’ll enjoy hanging out at Brown Truck Brewery. Here you can chat with locals of all ages and backgrounds while sipping the local hand-crafted beer. One of the most remarkable attractions of High Point is the World’s Largest Chest of Drawers. Close to 40-foot high, the monument, originally erected in 1926, represents the city’s furniture industry. 

You’ll have a fun time planning all the fun activities, but let’s first deal with the logistical aspects of your wedding. AMM is here to guide you through getting married in High Point, from ordaining your chosen minister to completing the marriage license.
 

Step 1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries

Let’s start with the ordainment process. According to the Guilford County Clerk’s website, those permitted to solemnize weddings include:

“...ordained ministers of any religious denomination, a minister authorized by a church, a magistrate, or a federally- or state-recognized Indian Nation or tribe.”

If you’re not registered to perform marriages in North Carolina, you can get ordained with AMM to fall within the priest or minister category. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.
 
When it comes time to perform your duties as the officiant, Guilford County may ask you to present documentation (which AMM provides for a fee). You can call the county clerk’s office before you perform the ceremony to ask if they require you to bring the certificate in person. Having credentials in hand is always a good idea. 

Step 2: Prepare for the Wedding Ceremony in Guilford County

Now that the formal application process is out of the way, we can help you prepare for the more personal aspects of officiating the wedding ceremony. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor but requires a bit of preparation. You may want to check out 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, preparation tips, and more. 

Step 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License

As the wedding officiant, your job is to perform the marriage as requested by the couple. That also entails confirming that the couple promises to take each other as married spouses with verbal consent, then sealing with your and their signatures. 
 
Once that’s taken care of, you have successfully married the couple and fulfilled your legal duties as the wedding officiant. Congratulations!
 

Now let’s turn to the couple’s responsibilities. First, both applicants must apply together in person at the Register of Deeds Office, provide valid photo ID, and present their Social Security Numbers. The marriage license fee is $60, and once signed, it is good for 60 days. 

To save some time at your appointment, first complete the online marriage license application.
 
When you go, don’t forget to bring:
 

• Valid ID (Passport, Driver’s License, State or Military ID)
• Social Security Number (No card necessary)
• $60 cash, check or debit card
   

The Basics

Do you want your wedding in a Fairy-Tale setting? Castle McCulloch sets the vibe for a romantic medieval European-styled wedding venue. You are sure to be enchanted by the elegance and grandeur inside these magical castle walls. JH Adams Inn is a venue popular with both tourists and locals. Here you’ll receive world-class wedding planning services, plenty of accommodation options for guests, and excellent dining from the helpful catering staff. If you are in search of an outdoor wedding venue, check out the nearby Adaumont Farm. This scenic 500-acre farm features a rustic barn complete with antique chandeliers and wood paneling, plus plenty of space for 300+ guests. 

Transportation

High Point has a well-functioning transit system comprising 25 bus lines that will take you within walking distance of the main attractions. If you prefer taking a car, taxi and rideshare services should be available. 

Weather

You get to enjoy all four seasons in North Carolina. It snows for about four days every winter but doesn’t stay too cold for long. Fall and spring are gorgeous for weddings here. In springtime, the flowers are blooming everywhere, and the fall is just as picturesque. Summers can be hot and humid in July and August, but nothing unbearable.