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Austin, Texas Wedding Guide

Become a Wedding Officiant in Austin as an AMM Ordained Minister. Learn more about getting ordained in Texas, officiant training, wedding ceremony planning, and more.

How to Officiate a Wedding in Austin, Texas

Austin’s got it all. Southern charm? Check. Hipster coffee shops? Check. Nude beach? Junk museum? Uh… check. There’s a reason the city’s slogan is “Keep Austin Weird.”

 

If you’re planning to tie the knot in Austin, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve collected all the technical details about what you need to do to get married in Austin so you can focus on the fun stuff, like designing your custom wedding cake at Cakes ROCK!!!. (We’re not affiliated, just impressed.) Anyway, let’s get down to business.




Texas Wedding Tips and Tricks

Become a Wedding Officiant

For The
Wedding Officiant

Step 1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries

 

Let’s start with the ordainment process. According to Travis County Clerk, the following persons may perform wedding ceremonies: 

 

  • Judges, either active or retired
  • Religious leaders of any denomination who are authorized to conduct marriages.

 

You can get ordained with AMM to fall within the category of religious leaders, and our ordination authorizes you to perform marriages in Texas (and everywhere else in the US). The process is free and takes just a few minutes.

 

Officiants aren’t required to register with any government office, but the Travis County Clerk’s Office might ask for your documentation, which you can order from our store.


Step 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Travis County

 

Now 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 it can feel like a lot of pressure. You will appreciate our wedding training pages, which are a trove 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. The fact that you are here, doing your research bodes well, and as always, practice makes perfect, so get started early.


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. But, double-check that they a valid marriage license before the ceremony and that the information as it appears on the license is valid. 

 

In Austin, once you have performed the ceremony and notarized the marriage license, you have successfully performed all of your functions as the wedding officiant. The couple will take care of the rest.



Texas Wedding

How To Get Married in Austin

For The
Couple

File for a Marriage License from the Travis County Clerk's Office

 

To obtain your marriage license, you can start the process online here. Both members of the couple will have to visit the Travis County Clerk at 5501 Airport Blvd to finish the process.

 

When you go, just remember to bring:

 

  • Valid Driver’s License or Identification Card
  • Your Social Security Card or know your Social Security number 

 

If you take the county’s “Twogether” marriage preparation class, you only pay $21 instead of $81 for the marriage license, and you can skip the 72 hour waiting period. All payment methods are accepted except for checks.

Travis County Marriage License Info

Important Facts to know before filing for a marriage license in Austin, Texas.

Issuance Office: 5501 Airport Blvd
Fee: $21-81 
Waiting Period: 72 hours
Expiration: 89 days
Return: by Couple

Austin Wedding Tips and Tricks

Wedding Venue and Planning Tips

For The Couple
& Officiant

The Basics

 

Austinites like their festivals, so when you’re planning your wedding, try to choose a day where a major event isn’t happening near your venue. For instance, the highly attended film and music festival South by Southwest (SXSW) take place in March. It draws in more than 150,000 people. You’ll want to avoid the higher hotel prices and traffic that come with the crowds. You can find a list of the city’s major annual events here.

 

As for wedding venues, whatever your vision, you’ll find it in Austin. The city has everything from old Victorian mansions to urban, minimalist spaces to old west-style ranches.

 

Transportation

 

The bus and rail system in Austin Capital Metro is pretty decent, so if you’re from out of town and you’re just trying to get around in the city limits, you may want to utilize it. Lyft and Uber are also good options if you want to avoid renting a car.

 

Weather

 

Austin may be weird, but it’s still Texas. Summers are long and hot, and the city typically gets about 16 days in which temps rise of 100 degrees. During the summer, you’ll be grateful you rented a venue with A/C. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, spring and fall are ideal.




Austin Officiant FAQ

Austin Officiant & Couples FAQ

For The Couple
& Officiant


Can you get married the same day that you apply for a marriage license in Austin, Texas?

No, there is a waiting period of 72 hours. The only workaround for this is for couples that take the county’s “Twogether” marriage preparation class.

 

Do I need witness for signing the marriage license in Texas?

Texas does not require a witness. That said, some wedding license still have a space on the license for witness to sign if you would like.

OFFICIANT CEREMONY
PREPARATION IN

Professional Wedding Officiant Certification Course

Learn from the Pros to Officiate with Confidence!

Will You Marry Us? Gift Package

Who Will Officiate Your Wedding?

Choose Your Officiant with our "Will You Marry Us?" Gift Package.

Signature Wedding Officiant Package

Signature Wedding Officiant Package

Our premiere package contains everyting you need to officiate like a pro.

The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies

The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies

It's finally here! Timeless scripts and heartfelt vow inspiration to bring life to your ceremony.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter!

Checkout the AMM Blog

Stay up-to-date with the latest wedding industry trends.

Read our sample wedding ceremony scripts online

Sample Wedding Ceremony Scripts

Need inspiration? Check out our free ceremony scripts!

Wedding Officiant Training

Wedding Officiant Training

Everything you need to know to officiate.

Take Our Quiz

Test your understanding of Texas Marriage Laws.

GET ORDAINED
WITH AMM

Become a Wedding Officiant with Our Free Online Ordination!