How to Officiate a Wedding in Chesapeake, Virginia

If you’re a Virginia native, you already know that Chesapeake is a beautiful place to call home. The city has been called the state’s top spot and made the Top 20 Best Cities for Quality of Life nationwide. So, if you’re getting married in beautiful Chesapeake, Virginia, congratulations! We can’t think of a better place to start a life with your partner.

Here in our guide, we have everything you need to know about how to get married in Chesapeake, plus how to get your officiant-of-choice ordained to perform your ceremony on the big day! So, without further ado, let’s get into the guide.
 

STEP 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries

Let’s start with the ordainment process. According to Virginia state law, “A minister of any religious denomination must be authorized by a circuit court to celebrate the rites of matrimony.”

You can get ordained with us to become a minister of the American Marriage Ministries. The process is free and takes just a few minutes!

All wedding officiants in Virginia must also register their credentials with the state government before they can begin performing wedding ceremonies. AMM will provide you with the proper documentation in order to do so. You should contact the local county clerk in order to start the process of officiant registration.

You can purchase your minister credentials right here on our store!

STEP 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Chesapeake

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 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. 

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

When it comes to the marriage license, it’s the couple’s responsibility to obtain it from the county clerk’s office, but just be sure to double-check that they have a valid marriage license before you perform the ceremony. After the “I do’s,” help them complete it and notarize it correctly.

It is also your job as the officiant to return the completed marriage license to the circuit court’s office after the wedding, so be sure to make a note to yourself to drop it off at 307 Albemarle Dr., Suite 300A as soon as possible.
 

To obtain your marriage license, you will need to start your application online. Once completed, the application will be reviewed and you will be contacted within five business days to schedule an appointment to obtain your license in person at the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office in Chesapeake.

When you go to your appointment, just remember to bring:

• Valid, state-issued IDs
• $30 cash for the marriage license fee
• Social Security Card information

After you are issued your marriage license, your officiant will help you complete and notarize it correctly on the day of the wedding.

The Basics

When choosing your wedding date, be sure to keep some of the major events that take place in Southeastern Virginia in mind. Yearly events like the Chesapeake Jubilee and the annual wine festival draw in major crowds and can cause traffic and parking issues. So, before you commit to a wedding venue, you might want to check your date against some local events calendars first.

Speaking of wedding venues, there are some true gems to uncover in Chesapeake. The Greenbrier Country Club offers a secluded setting right in the middle of town. You can take advantage of its well-manicured golf greens and beautiful facilities on the big day. Plus, it has event staff ready to help you with wedding plans, including assistance with room set-ups, decor ideas, menu selection, and vendor recommendations. Easy choice!

A similar option located just down the road at the former Cahoon Golf Club is the Venue at Cahoon Plantation. If you’re looking to host a big group, this spot is a great choice. The venue features a center banquet space and porch space that accommodates up to 115 guests, a pavilion that offers seating for 240, and the option to combine its indoor/outdoor options to accommodate 600 people or more!

If you don’t love the idea of a country club wedding, you might like the Greenbrier Farms Nursery, just 20 minutes south of Chesapeake. This charming venue oozes country chic, with its one-hundred-year-old farm house, tire swing, gardens, lush landscape, and huge wrap-around porch.

Transportation

Getting around Chesapeake is easiest by car, so if you’re coming in from out of town and you don’t have means of transportation, your best bet is to either rent a car or be prepared to use Lyft and Uber during your stay.

Weather

April through October is the best time to plan a wedding in Virginia. Spring may be a bit rainy, so if you’re planning a wedding before June, you should consider choosing a wedding with indoor accommodations in case of a storm. Summer in Virginia is usually hot with possible thunderstorms. Fall is also a beautiful time for a wedding when the foliage is changing color and the weather has cooled a bit.