How to Officiate a Wedding in Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Just a few minutes south of Nashville along I-24 is the city of Murfreesboro. This historically rich town is most commonly known as one of the bloodiest battlefields during the Civil War. If you are interested, there are regular guided tours of Stones River National Battlefield. Of course, Murfreesboro has plenty of other attractions as well. Perhaps you like craft beers, live music, and delicious food? Add Hop Springs Beer Park to your plan. Oh, and for the best ice cream you’ve ever tasted, swing by Hattie Jane’s Creamery. You’ll also be happy to know that Murfreesboro has a lot of options when it comes to finding your wedding venue.

Whatever your plans, AMM’s job is to help you work through the logistical aspects of your wedding. We’ll walk you through ordaining the minister of your choice and help you complete and sign the marriage license. 
 

Step 1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries

Let’s start with the ordainment process. Despite any misinformation you might read online, Internet ministers can legally perform marriages in Tennessee (see our FAQ section for more information on this.)
 
You can get ordained with AMM to fall within the minister category. The process is free and takes just a few minutes! Once you’re registered with us, you’re all set to start officiating weddings in Tennessee.

Step 2: Prepare for the Wedding Ceremony in Rutherford 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

It is the full responsibility of the couple to obtain and fill out the marriage license. However, your job as the officiant is to make sure that it is filled out correctly and returned by the couple to the Rutherford County Clerk’s Office within the three days following the ceremony. Once you have completed this, your functions as the officiant are fulfilled, and you can sit back and relax!
 

File for the Marriage License from the Rutherford County Clerk’s Office

For the couple to obtain the marriage license, both members must visit the County Clerk’s Office and present valid state-issued identification and Social Security Numbers. The fee for the marriage license is $107.50 unless you have a “Certificate of Completion” form, in which case, the fee will be reduced to $45. 

 
When you go, don’t forget to bring:
 

• Valid ID (Passport, Driver’s License, Military ID, State ID)
• Social Security Number
• Marriage License Payment 
   

The Basics

The Warehouse is a gorgeous venue, perfect for a large wedding banquet. Depending on the size of your wedding, you can choose to rent a single room or take down the dividing wall and rent both the Harmond and Carmengail Halls. 
 
Are you searching for the perfect farm wedding venue? Just outside Murfreesboro, you’ll find “The Grove.” Here you’ll have access to all the amenities of a top-notch barn wedding. With everything from hayrides and campfire circles to top catering and full bar services, you’ll be sure to have all your bases covered at this location. 
 
One of the top favorite venues with visitors and locals is The View At Fountains. This high-class venue has fantastic natural lighting combined with plenty of space, including a banquet room and bridal suite. 

Transportation

Take one of the city’s seven bus lines if you want to get around Murfreesboro relatively inexpensively. If you would rather avoid public transportation, you can always rent a car or use the available rideshare services like Uber and Lyft.

 
Weather

Winters are pretty tolerable in Tennessee, with average highs in the 50s for December and January. However, during the summer, temperatures can climb to the 80s and 90s, and it will be hot and muggy from May till September.