Backyard Wedding Checklist
So, you've decided you want to have a small wedding ceremony, and what better place to host it than in your own backyard!? Backyard Weddings can be intimate and elegant, and the perfect location for an elopement ceremony! In order to achieve the backyard wedding ceremony of your dreams, you'll need just a few things: 1. A wedding officiant!
Outside of yourself and your fiance, this is the one thing you'll need to make sure is present on your wedding day.
2. A marriage license
In order for your marriage to be considered legal here in the United States, you'll need to obtain a marriage license from the state you're planning to get married in. Some US counties allow you to apply online, while others require you to appear in person. You'll need identification and payment (typically $50-$100) and will receive a packet of information to take with you. You'll bring this packet with you on your wedding day, and your wedding officiant will fill everything out for you and go through the next steps of filing your marriage paperwork. In Washington State, there is also a 3-day waiting period from the time you obtain your marriage license, until the day you can legally be married. You'll want to check with your state/county to see if there is a waiting period, and if there is, are there circumstances which would allow it to possibly be waived?
3. Witnesses (depending on state you live in)
Some US states require 1-2 witnesses to be present as you sign your marriage license. Depending on the state you're married in, you'll need to provide witnesses (in addition) to your wedding officiant to witness and sign your marriage license with you. Washington State requires two witnesses over the age of 12, while Oregon requires two witnesses over the age of 18. Your wedding officiant may be able to supply these for you if requested.
4. Wedding Vows
You'll need to make a promise to your future husband/wife that you intend to enter into this marriage with them! This is typically done in the form of wedding vows, but they don't have to be tradition, "I promise to love, honor and cherish, until death do us part." Nowadays, people are using inspiration from around them to create unique and personalized wedding vows. If you have questions about how to incorporate song lyrics, or poems, words that you want to say to your fiance, but aren't sure exactly how - talk to your wedding officiant and ask them to help you! This is what they do, and they should have some good ideas for you.
5. Excitement.
This is your wedding day! If you're planning a backyard wedding ceremony, chances are good you're looking forward to your marriage as opposed to the fanfare of a giant wedding. Know that you've hired a professional wedding officiant who will help guide you through what you need on this day, and can likely help in a variety of tasks to help this day go smoothly for you. Stay Gold Elopements specializes in elopement weddings and small wedding ceremonies, and would be happy to discuss ways to make your wedding day as special as possible while maintaining the intimate atmosphere you're looking for.
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