How to Officiate a Wedding in Plano, Texas

If you’re planning a wedding in the North Texas area, Plano might just be the perfect choice for your ceremony and reception. Plano blends modern luxury with historic charm. The city is full of attractions and amenities that you guests will enjoy during their stay. This Texas city is located just north of Dallas, and offers easy access to performing arts, museums and 1,000s of restaurants. 

At AMM, we’re here to help you take care of the logistics of getting your marriage license and registering your officiant of choice, so that you can focus on making the fun decisions, like choosing the perfect wedding venue.

Between having your wedding at a swanky hotel, or a late Victorian Mansion. Let’s get the logistical stuff out of the way first.

Step 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries

Let’s start with the ordainment process. According to the government site for Collins County a wedding can be performed by a “...Licensed or ordained Christian Ministers and Priests, Jewish Rabbis, or persons who are officers of religious organizations…” 

This means all you have to do is register with AMM to become an officially ordained minister. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.

When it comes time to perform your duties as the officiant, Collins County may ask you to present proof of your status as an ordained minister. If that’s the case, or you just want to be prepared, AMM can provide your official documentation, available from our store. 

Step 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Collins County

Now that the ordination is taken care of, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony and reception. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor, but can feel like a lot of pressure. Reading our wedding training pages will help you feel more confident when you step up to the altar. They are 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

Now, back to taking care of the marriage license. It is the couple’s responsibility to obtain and complete the marriage license, but just be sure to double-check that they have done so before performing the ceremony.

Once the festivities are over and the marriage license is properly signed, you have successfully performed all of your functions as the wedding officiant. Just remind them to return the marriage license within 33 days of the ceremony.

When it comes to the cost of the license, the price will vary depending on whether the couple participated in a premarital training program. If the couple provides a certificate of completion, the County Clerk will deduct $60.00 from the license fee and waive the state required 72-hour waiting period. For more information on the premarital training course visit the Twogether In Texas website.

Before heading in to the county clerk's office to pick up your marriage license, first complete the online application. Make sure that both parties appear in person at the office within 10 days of submitting the application. 

The couple will have to visit the Colins County Clerk’s office at 2300 Bloomdale Road Suite 2106, McKinney TX 75071 or at 900 E. Park Blvd. Suite 140-A Plano. You’ll need to bring

• Valid government issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, military ID or an identification card issued by Texas or another state, the United States or a foreign government.
• Social Security number. You are not required to show your social security card, but you’ll need to give the number.
• Marriage License without the certificate - $81.00, with the certificate - $21.00.

The Basics

The city of Plano might be the best place in Texas to get married with options from high end hotels to laid back farmsteads. If you are looking for an elegant experience that will create lasting memories we recommend the NYLO Hotel. Their lavish Outdoor Courtyard will stun any guest with its sophistication. Besides the inspiring surroundings the NYLO Hotel will provide refined service that will set the perfect tone for the wedding day.            

If you are looking for a place that is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, look no further than the Texas’ Heritage Farmstead Museum. This venue combines history with elegance by celebrating the Texas Blackland Prairie region. Your wedding guests will think they were transported to another era with the late-Victorian mansion and surrounding fields. 

Transportation

Plano offers excellent access to air, light rail, public transit, and road transportation. Just 30 minutes from DFW International Airport, Plano, and its location within the Central Time Zone, will allow your out-of-town guests same-day departure and return from both the East and West coasts. 

Public Transit

Plano, Dallas, and much of the surrounding area are served by mass transit from Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). DART operates a modern light rail system serving the Dallas metroplex. From Ft. Worth to the Dallas Zoo, DART has numerous stops throughout Dallas and has northbound routes to connect Plano and other suburban cities such as Richardson, Garland, Carrollton, and the Farmers Branch. 

Weather

Plano is in the humid subtropical climate zone. The highest recorded temperature was 118 °F (48 °C) in 1936. On average, the coolest month is January and the warmest is July. The lowest recorded temperature was -7 °F (-22 °C) in 1930. The maximum average precipitation occurs in May.