Wedding Officiant FAQs

How do I find a wedding officiant in Arizona?

You can work with your church for a priest. Or if you are searching for a non-denominational (no religion) officiant, book a call with AZ Weddings By Amy to see if you are a good fit. Ask your friends who recently got married who they used.

How far in advance should I book a wedding officiant in Arizona?

A good officiant usually starts to book a year in advance. Once you have your venue secured, book your officiant, DJ and photographer immediately. A great officiant like AZ Weddings By Amy who has been in the business for awhile has great resources to assist you. Also, AZ Weddings By Amy does have event planning background and tips to share for destination weddings, elopements and backyard weddings.

Do I need to obtain a marriage license before the wedding ceremony in Arizona?

Yes. You and your partner need to go to the Maricopa County office and obtain your marriage license. Best to schedule an appointment and go in with the application filled out already. Takes less than 10 minutes and you are out the door.

Can I personalize my wedding ceremony in Arizona?

There are some legal aspects that have to be stated in Arizona, then the remainder of the ceremony is pulled together based on the couple’s vision and discussion with the professional officiant.

What is the typical length of a wedding ceremony in Arizona?

AZ Weddings By Amy elopements are under 10 minutes. Larger ceremonies are usually between 15-30 minutes, if there is a unity ceremony, someone doing a reading or singing a song.

How can I ensure that my wedding ceremony is legally recognized in Arizona?

Hire a professional like AZ Weddings By Amy to make sure you are covered.

Can I have a same-sex wedding ceremony in Arizona?

Yes. You go through the same steps to obtain your marriage license. Click here to read more from Maricopa County offices to get marriage license. AZ Weddings By Amy has worked with many same-sex couples and believes LOVE IS FOR ALL!

Can I have a bilingual wedding ceremony in Arizona?

Yes. AZ Weddings By Amy has worked with bilingual couples and even though she is not bilingual she has come up with ways to create a smooth flow of the ceremony for all in attendance.

What qualifications should a wedding officiant have in Arizona?

Either a minister through a church or obtain online.

What does a wedding officiant do?

An organized and well-versed officiant can assist the couple with planning their ceremony, answer questions on how to obtain a marriage license and work with the other vendors to ensure a smooth wedding ceremony is created and off into the reception or photos they go.

What types of ceremonies can a wedding officiant perform in Arizona?

Only a priest or minister of a church can perform in a church setting. Officiants can do backyard weddings, venue weddings and elopements.

How does a wedding officiant personalize a wedding ceremony in Arizona?

The professional officiant will have a conversation with the couple and go through their list of questions to create the ceremony. A great officiant has tricks up their sleeve that keep your guests talking about your wedding day long after it occurred.

How can a wedding officiant help with the planning process in Arizona?

Each officiant is different. AZ Weddings by Amy is a firm believer that working together as a vendor team is important to keeping the flow of the ceremony happening. Also, each vendor is responsible for their part only. AZ Weddings By Amy has a wonderful list of resources she has worked with directly; click here to view.