Junior Rasmussen
Whether an elder can perform a wedding depends on the location and the type of wedding ceremony. In some countries, marriages are not legally recognised unless performed by a judge, justice of the peace, or Catholic priest. In such cases, couples may have two distinct wedding ceremonies: the official one in front of a judge or justice of the peace, and a later religious one in a Kingdom Hall, for example, which carries no legal weight.
In the US, the ability of an elder to perform a wedding depends on the state. In some US states, it is easy to get licensed to perform weddings, so an elder could fill in the necessary paperwork and legally officiate a wedding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can perform a wedding ceremony? | This depends on the country and state. In some US states, it is easy to get licensed to perform weddings. In other countries, marriages are only legally recognised if performed by a judge, justice of the peace, or Catholic priest. |
| Who can perform a JW wedding? | This depends on the country. In the US, it depends on the state. In some states, an elder can perform the whole ceremony, while in others, a justice of the peace must perform the legal part. In some countries, JWs have two ceremonies: one official one in front of a judge and one religious one in a Kingdom Hall. |
| Wedding ceremony script | The ceremony should include an introduction/welcome/wedding sermon, a reading, a declaration of intent, vows, an exchange of rings, and a closing. |
What You'll Learn
Who can officiate a wedding?
The rules on who can officiate a wedding vary from state to state and country to country. In some US states, it is relatively easy to get licensed to perform weddings, and an elder can fill in the necessary paperwork to officiate a wedding. In other countries, marriages are only legally recognised if performed by a judge, justice of the peace, or Catholic priest. In these cases, couples may have two distinct wedding ceremonies: the "official" one in front of a judge, and a later "religious" one in a Kingdom Hall, for example.
In the UK, a proper registrar also comes to the meeting to observe and see that the wedding is properly done. They set up in the back room and the registrar gets the couple to sign the marriage papers.
In general, weddings may be solemnized by:
- Judges
- Justices of the peace
- Priests
- Ministers
- Members of the clergy
- Mayors
- Governors
- Elders
- Municipal judges
- Notaries public
- County executives
- County clerks
- Court clerks
- Court commissioners
- Magistrates
- Tribal judges
- Spiritual advisors
- And more, depending on the state or country
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What are the requirements to officiate a wedding?
The requirements to officiate a wedding vary depending on the state and county in which the wedding is taking place. In Utah, for example, there are no officiant registration requirements, but officiants must be ordained ministers. In contrast, in New York City, officiants must register with the city clerk.
In general, the steps to officiate a wedding are as follows:
- Check county marriage laws
- Acquire a marriage license
- Perform the ceremony
In addition, it is important to keep records of your ministry credentials, as proof of ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue.
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Can a wedding be officiated by a non-elder?
The rules on who can officiate a wedding vary depending on the location. In the US, the rules vary from state to state. In some states, it is easy to get licensed to perform weddings, and an elder can fill in the necessary paperwork to officiate a wedding. In other states, marriages are only legally recognised if performed by a judge, justice of the peace, or Catholic priest. In these cases, couples may have two distinct wedding ceremonies: the "official" one in front of a judge or justice of the peace, and a later "religious" one in a Kingdom Hall, which carries no legal weight.
In the UK, a wedding in a Kingdom Hall is officiated by a speaker who delivers the wedding talk and takes the vows from the couple. A proper registrar also comes to the meeting to observe and see that it is properly done. They set up in the back room and the registrar gets the couple to sign the marriage papers.
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Can an elder officiate a wedding in a Kingdom Hall?
In the US, the ability of an elder to officiate a wedding in a Kingdom Hall depends on the state. In some states, it is easy to get licensed to perform weddings, so an elder can officiate a wedding by filling in the necessary paperwork. In other states, marriages are only legally recognised if performed by a judge, justice of the peace, or Catholic priest. In these cases, two distinct ceremonies are often held: one "official" ceremony in front of a judge, and a later "religious" one in a Kingdom Hall.
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What are the wedding vows like in a Kingdom Hall?
Wedding vows at a Kingdom Hall are devoid of feeling and are written by the "higher-ups". The ceremony is a simple and dignified one, featuring a brief talk based on the Bible. The ceremony may be followed by a social gathering, or reception, which may include a meal.
The main feature of the wedding is the wedding talk, which is about 30 minutes long and delivered by a minister of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The discussion emphasizes how the Bible can help the couple have a lasting, loving, and happy marriage. In many countries, the government authorizes ministers of Jehovah’s Witnesses to solemnize marriages. In that case, toward the end of the talk, the couple exchange vows. They might also exchange rings. The minister then pronounces them husband and wife.
In other countries, the law requires that a couple marry at a government office. The couple does this shortly before the wedding talk. If the bride and groom did not exchange vows at the civil marriage, they may do so toward the end of the talk. If they did exchange vows, they may choose to repeat them, doing so in the past tense. The talk concludes with a prayer asking God to bless the newly married couple.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the location. In some US states, it is easy to get licensed to perform weddings, so an elder can fill in the necessary paperwork and perform the wedding. In other countries, marriages are only legally recognized if performed by a judge, justice of the peace, or Catholic priest. In such cases, there may be two distinct wedding ceremonies: the "official" one in front of a judge and a later "religious" one in a Kingdom Hall.
Elders must be ordained and in good standing with their church or religious organization.
Requirements vary by location. In some US states, elders just need to fill in the necessary paperwork. In other countries, marriages are only legally recognized if performed by a judge, justice of the peace, or Catholic priest.
Elders should check the requirements of the location in which the wedding will be held. They may need to register with the state or county and may need to provide proof of their ordination.
Elders can use a wedding script as a template to create a fitting ceremony. This may include an introduction/welcome/wedding sermon, a reading, a declaration of intent, the exchanging of vows and rings, and a closing.
