Same-Sex Cake Toppers

A few years ago, marriage was only a dream for many same-sex couples. Now, these dreams have become a reality. Since the legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide by the Supreme Court last June, many same-sex couples have started plans to get married as soon as possible. If you are one of these couples, you may be having a hard time figuring out where you should have your wedding and who should perform your wedding ceremony. After all, it may be difficult to find a pastor who is willing to marry a same-sex couple, and it would be equally challenging to find non-religious venues that would allow you to rent their space for your wedding. The good news is that there are alternatives to these two options, and getting married may not be as difficult as you think.

Marriage License

Perhaps all the two of you care about is getting married, and you don’t care at all about having a wedding. A wedding takes time and money, and it may not be something you want to mess with. Additionally, it can be difficult if you don’t find many people who support your marriage. Announcing that you are getting married may be awkward for those who do not agree with same-sex relationships, which may encourage you to skip a wedding. If a wedding is not for you, all you have to do is get your license. The exact place where you will obtain your license depends on your state, but it is often a county or city clerk’s office. This is a simple process that requires you to fill out a form. Make sure you check your state’s site so you bring the proper identification. In some states, there is a waiting period, so be prepared for that. Your marriage certificate may need to be signed by:

• You and your spouse
• Two witnesses
• The person who marries you

There may also be some fees involved. Typically, these fees are under $100, but make sure you double check with your state. Sometimes, it will even depend on which city or county you are in.

Wedding

If you are having a wedding, then getting your marriage license is only the first step. You need to find someone who will marry you. The good news is you may be able to have someone who is close with you perform the service. They need to be ordained, but that can be an easy process. Again, it depends on your state and city’s requirements, but getting ordained is possible online. All you have to do is fill out a form (make sure you fill it out accurately), and the person will receive their certificate of ordainment within a few weeks. This is a great option if you don’t think a pastor or anyone else who is already ordained will be willing to perform the ceremony. It’s important that you don’t get your marriage license until you know when your ceremony is. Some states have requirements on how quickly the marriage certificate must be filled out, signed, and completed, and you don’t want to have to go through the process more than once.

Non-Religious Venues

There are many non-religious venues you can rent out for your wedding day. Of course, you have to book them in advance and sometimes there is quite a long wait. This is why it’s best to figure out your wedding date as soon as possible. The sooner you get these places booked, the better. You might have luck in a hotel ballroom, at a country club, or somewhere else in your city.

You have many options when it comes to getting married. Don’t let yourself become discouraged by thinking you don’t have a place. There is likely a place and a friend willing to help you make your dreams come true.