{"id":33550,"name":"Charleston","state_id":52,"county_id":2450,"created_at":"2019-08-20T10:41:40.243-07:00","updated_at":"2023-11-06T07:50:32.931-08:00","meta_description":"Learn hot to officiate weddings and get married in Charleston South Carolina","head_tag":"A Charleston South Carolina Guide for Couples and Wedding Ministers ","tagline":"And now for some \"Holy City\" ceremonies...","intro_section":"\u003cp\u003eCharleston is one of the most in-demand cities in the South (and in the entire United States, for that matter) to get married. There\u0026rsquo;s just something about this place that inspires the urge to take your lover (or find a lover, if necessary) and ride a white horse into the sunset.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe history of the town is felt everywhere, from the energy of the Charleston City Market, to the cobblestone streets of the English District, to the soft sands of Myrtle Beach. And the abundance of idyllic, romantic wedding venues in this Southern center is simply unparalleled. It\u0026rsquo;s no wonder it was chosen as the backdrop of two of our favorite love stories \u003cem\u003eThe Notebook\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eDear John\u003c/em\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHoly City, as it is known by some, may be known for its historical roots, but it\u0026rsquo;s also a living, breathing, dynamic city with plenty to offer modern, mold-breaking mavericks, in addition to dreamy, traditionalist couples.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you\u0026rsquo;re gearing up to plan your dream wedding in Charleston, we\u0026rsquo;re going to quote Noah here (from \u003cem\u003eThe Notebook\u003c/em\u003e, not the Bible) and say, \u0026ldquo;It\u0026#39;s not gonna be easy. It\u0026#39;s going to be really hard; we\u0026#39;re gonna have to work at this everyday.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJust kidding -- it\u0026rsquo;s going to be fine, we promise! We\u0026rsquo;ve got you covered with everything you need to know about the legal to-dos of getting married in South Carolina and even some extra tips that will help you make sure your special day goes over smoothly. So without further ado, let\u0026rsquo;s jump into our Chucktown wedding guide.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","officiant_section":"\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLet\u0026rsquo;s start with the ordainment process. According to South Carolina\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/family-and-children/marriage#marriage-licenses-5536\"\u003ejudicial branch\u003c/a\u003e, \u0026ldquo;A wedding can be performed by a magistrate or by any minister who is ordained in a religious denomination or authorized by a church. Marriages can also be performed in the recognized manner of any religious denomination that does not use officiants, or in the recognized manner of any federally or state-recognized Native American tribe.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYou can \u003ca href=\"/ordination-application\"\u003eget ordained\u003c/a\u003e with AMM to fall within the priest or minister category. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes time to perform your duties as the officiant, Charleston County may ask you to present documentation, which AMM provides for a fee. (You can call the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office before you perform the ceremony to ask if they will require you to bring the certificate in person.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Charleston County\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow 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.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHere you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt\u0026rsquo;s the couple\u0026rsquo;s responsibility to obtain the marriage license, but be sure to double-check they have it in their possession before performing the ceremony. It\u0026rsquo;s also a good idea to help them to fill it out and complete it correctly, as the Probate Court will send it back to you if there are any errors, which happens more often than you might think.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce the ceremony has been performed and the license has been notarized, make sure that someone (either you, or one of the members of the couple) has been assigned to return the document to the Probate Court\u0026rsquo;s office. There is no strict expiration date of the license in Charleston, but you don\u0026rsquo;t want to forget to file it.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce that\u0026rsquo;s taken care of, you have successfully performed all of your functions as the wedding officiant! Well done.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","couple_section":"\u003cp\u003eNow let\u0026rsquo;s turn our attention to the couple\u0026rsquo;s responsibilities. Both members of the couple must appear together to file a written application.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo obtain your marriage license, you both members of the couple will have to visit the Probate Court\u0026rsquo;s office at 100 Broad St. Suite 469.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen you go, just remember to bring:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eState issued ID (driver\u0026rsquo;s license, birth certificate, passport or military ID)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSocial security number\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e$70 application fee\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThat\u0026rsquo;s it! Just remember, there is a twenty-four hour waiting period after the application is filed before the parties can be married.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","wedding_tips":"\u003ch3\u003eThe Basics\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eChoosing your wedding venue and the date of your big day can be a bit overwhelming. There are a few things that you may want to consider that will help you narrow it down. First and foremost, try to avoid booking your wedding on the same day as one of the largely attended annual events in Chucktown, like the Charleston Film Festival in the fall and the Spoleto Art Festival in the spring. Around these big events, there are usually higher prices for accommodations and heavier traffic because of the crowds they attract. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs far as venues go, there are so many to choose from in Charleston. South Carolina is perhaps most famous for its historic plantations, many of which are now being used as wedding venues. While there\u0026rsquo;s no denying that some of the properties are downright picturesque, many of them were once slave plantations. Consider how you\u0026rsquo;ll feel looking back at your romantic wedding photos and knowing that they were taken against a backdrop that was once the setting of some of our country\u0026rsquo;s most shameful atrocities. (Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds\u0026rsquo; \u003ca href=\"https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/bazaar-brides/a30165097/blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-plantation-wedding-banned-from-pinterest/\"\u003ewedding\u003c/a\u003e would have been just as beautiful and less controversial if they\u0026rsquo;d chosen a different spot.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBesides, there are so many incredible venues in Charleston, we think you\u0026rsquo;ll stumble upon more than a few that excite you just as much. If you\u0026rsquo;re looking for an outdoor venue that emanates the same grandeur as some of the former plantations, check out Pavilion at the \u003ca href=\"http://pepperpavilion.com/\"\u003ePepper Plantation\u003c/a\u003e. It\u0026rsquo;s just as grand as some of the older properties, but was constructed in 2009. Or, for a couple that likes a more urban feel, you may like \u003ca href=\"https://www.pooganscourtyard.com/\"\u003ePoogan\u0026rsquo;s Courtyard\u003c/a\u003e, a new staple in downtown Charleston. It has a bit of an industrial vibe, but is decorated with Victorian furnishings that give it a feeling of Southern warmth and history.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eTransportation\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePublic transportation isn\u0026rsquo;t great here in Charleston. It\u0026#39;s mostly useful for those commuting to work from the outer neighborhoods of the city. So, if you\u0026rsquo;re coming in from out of town for a Charleston wedding, you may consider renting a car to get around or relying on your trusty ridesharing apps like Lyft and Uber.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eWeather\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFall and spring in South Carolina are divine, but beware of the summers -- they get unbearably hot at their peak. Winters are fairly mild temperature-wise with frequent, short rain showers. Snow may fall every other year or so, but usually doesn\u0026rsquo;t stick to the ground. Ideally, spring or fall are ideal for weddings, but if you\u0026rsquo;re set on a summer or winter wedding, your best bet is to choose an indoor wedding venue (or a property that has an indoor back-up option in case of extreme heat or rain.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","faq":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo we need to bring our social security cards to apply for a marriage license in Charleston?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNo, you just need to know your social security number or have it written down.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan we get married the same day that we apply for the marriage license?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNo, there is a 24-hour waiting period to use the marriage license after you apply.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long do we have to return the marriage license after the ceremony?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no official expiration date on the marriage license in South Carolina.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho must return the marriage license after the ceremony?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the members of the couple, the officiant or any other friend or family member may return the completed marriage license.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf we apply in Charleston County, can we get married anywhere in South Carolina?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYes, your marriage license is valid anywhere in the state.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","content_live":true,"marriage_licensing_info":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuance Office:\u003c/strong\u003e 100 Broad St. Suite 469\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFee:\u003c/strong\u003e $70\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eWaiting Period:\u003c/strong\u003e 24 hours\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpiration:\u003c/strong\u003e None\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReturn:\u003c/strong\u003e by Couple or Officiant\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","meta_description_esp":null,"head_tag_esp":null,"tagline_esp":null,"intro_section_esp":"","officiant_section_esp":"","couple_section_esp":"","wedding_tips_esp":"","faq_esp":"","content_live_esp":false,"marriage_licensing_info_esp":""}