How to Officiate a Wedding in Bellevue, Washington

Congratulations! You’re getting married in one of the most gorgeous cities in the State of Washington. A quickly growing tech metropolis, Bellevue still manages to maintain its small-town feel with gorgeous parks for hiking and plenty of places to swim or go kayaking. Perhaps one of the most beautiful spots directly in the city is the Bellevue Botanical Gardens. You may consider coming to this romantic spot for some gorgeous wedding photos or just to enjoy the lush flora and fauna. 

AMM is here to get you squared away with the logistical aspects of your wedding, from ordaining your hand-picked minister to helping you apply for and fill out the marriage license. So, without further ado, let’s start with the ordainment process!
 

Step 1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries

Washington Law states that “...any regularly licensed or ordained minister or any priest of any church or religious denomination…” is authorized to solemnize marriages. If you do not yet fall into any of these categories, we’ve got you covered. You can get ordained with AMM and be legally qualified to perform marriages! The process is free and takes just a few minutes to complete. 

Step 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Bellevue

Now that the formal application process is out of the way, we can help you prepare for the more personal aspects of conducting 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, tips for preparation, and more.

Step 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License

Your only legal responsibility as the wedding officiant is to complete your part of the marriage license by making sure it is filled out fully and correctly, signing it, and making sure that it is returned to the King County Auditor’s Office no later than 30 days after the ceremony. Once this is done, you have fulfilled your function as the officiant. If you need any help, don’t hesitate to check out our page on how to complete a marriage license. 

File for the Marriage License from the King County Records and Licensing Services

Now let’s turn to the couple’s responsibilities. In King County you can fully complete the marriage license application online and recieve your documents in the mail if you prefer this. More information on this process can be found here. 

If applying in person, the couple should arrive together in person at the Records and Licensing Services Division office. There you should be able to submit valid state identification such as a driver’s license or passport. The marriage license fee in King County is $69.00, payable in cash, check, debit/credit card, or money order. Your marriage license is then valid throughout the state of Washington. 

When you go, just remember to bring:

• Valid ID (Driver’s License, Passport, Military ID)
• $69 
   

The Basics

Bellevue has a wide selection of wedding venues, from rooftops to gardens, it has everything you’re looking for. Host your wedding banquet from the 31st floor of the Lincoln Square South-Tower Building, with a panoramic view of the Bellevue skyline and a delicious meal at the Ascend Steak and Sushi. If you want a classic wedding with all the amenities, including excellent catering and some of the best photography, take a look at the Bellevue Club. One of AMM’s favorite locations is the Seattle Bride-Robinswood House. This historic mansion built in 1884 has plenty of space both indoors and outdoors and is surrounded by woods and lush gardens. Just be sure to book as soon as you can as these venues fill up the waiting list quite quickly.

Transportation

If you’re arriving from out of state, Bellevue is not far from the SEA-TAC International Airport. A short ride on the light rail will get you from the airport directly into the city. Otherwise, the King County Metro and Sound Transit buses should get you from point A to B in a reliable fashion. You can also use taxi and rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft.

Weather

You’re in the Pacific Northwest, so be prepared for rain, especially during the winter months. It only snows on very rare occasions, unless you go high up into the Cascades. Summers are mostly pleasant and sunny, and you’ll also get the fresh, clean air coming off the Pacific Ocean.