Kesha: Wedding Officiant? The Legalities Of Her Nuptial Powers

Pop star Kesha is a wedding officiant and has put her qualification to good use by officiating several weddings, including a same-sex wedding in 2018. The singer first became an ordained minister in 2012 so that she could officiate her friends' wedding. Kesha identifies as bisexual and is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

Kesha's history of officiating weddings

Kesha has a history of officiating weddings, having first become an ordained minister in 2012. She wanted to officiate her friends' Monique Morrison and Gretchen Helt's wedding. Since then, she has officiated three weddings, including her makeup artist Vittorio Masecchia and his boyfriend Felipe Noquiera's wedding.

Kesha is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and a supporter of the community, and she identifies as bisexual. In 2018, she officiated a same-sex wedding at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, which was on the anniversary of the first same-sex marriage license issued in the United States. She also released a music video for her song "I Need a Woman to Love," in which she officiated a same-sex marriage.

Kesha has expressed her enthusiasm for officiating weddings and her support for the LGBTQ+ community, stating that she would "love" to officiate a female couple's wedding.

Kesha's support for LGBTQ+ rights

Kesha has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights throughout her career. She first became an ordained minister in 2012 to officiate the wedding of her friends Monique Morrison and Gretchen Helt. Since then, she has officiated three weddings, including that of her makeup artist, Vittorio Masecchia, and his boyfriend, Felipe Noquiera.

In 2018, Kesha agreed to officiate the wedding of a same-sex couple she met outside the premiere of her documentary, *Rainbow: The Film*, in New York City. The wedding took place at the Bellagio in Las Vegas and was on the anniversary of the first same-sex marriage license issued in the United States.

Kesha also released a music video for her song "I Need a Woman to Love," in which she officiated a same-sex marriage. Her support for the LGBTQ+ community is evident in her music and her willingness to marry people of the same sex.

Kesha's advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights has been a consistent theme in her career, and she continues to use her platform to spread love and support for the community.

The legal requirements to officiate a wedding in the US

• Type of Officiant: The type of officiant required depends on whether the wedding is religious or non-religious. For non-religious ceremonies, officiants can be justices of the peace, court clerks, active or retired judges, or in some states, notaries public. For religious ceremonies, clergy members such as priests, ministers, or rabbis can officiate. In Native American communities, leaders such as shamans or medicine men may perform religious marriages.
• Registration: In some states, clergy members may need to register with the county where the wedding is taking place, especially if it is outside their usual jurisdiction.
• Authorization: Only specific individuals are authorized to perform weddings and legally bind a marriage. In addition to clergy members, certain government officials, such as active or retired judges, magistrates, justices, county clerks, and legislators, may be authorized to officiate weddings in some states.
• Online Ordination: Some states recognize officiants ordained online by religious groups. Interfaith and nondenominational organizations, such as the Universal Life Church or American Fellowship Church, offer online ordination services. However, it is important to check with the county clerk to ensure that online certification is accepted in that jurisdiction.
• Declaration of Intent: During the ceremony, a declaration of intent is legally required to formalize the marriage. This is when the officiant asks the couple if they take each other as their lawful wedded spouse, and each person responds with "I do."
• Pronouncement: The officiant must also make a pronouncement, declaring the couple officially and legally wed.
• Marriage License: A valid, state-issued marriage license is required and must be completed, signed, and returned after the ceremony for the marriage to be officially recorded.

It is important to note that the specific requirements may differ depending on the state and county, so it is advisable to research the local marriage laws and consult with the county clerk to ensure that all legal requirements are met.

The process of getting ordained

Check County Marriage Laws

It is important to familiarize yourself with the marriage laws of the specific county where the wedding will take place. County marriage laws can vary, and it is essential to understand the requirements and restrictions that may apply.

Acquire a Marriage License

In most cases, a marriage license is required for the wedding to be legally binding. The process for obtaining a marriage license can vary by county, but it typically involves contacting the appropriate office (such as the county clerk or recorder of deeds) and providing the necessary information and documentation. There may be a waiting period between the issuance of the license and the wedding ceremony.

Perform the Ceremony

Once you have checked the county marriage laws and obtained the necessary license, you can proceed with performing the wedding ceremony. This may involve preparing a script, choosing readings and rituals, and coordinating with the couple to ensure their wishes are respected.

Register as a Wedding Officiant

In some states and counties, it may be necessary to register as a wedding officiant before performing the ceremony. This typically involves providing documentation of your ordination to the appropriate government office. It is important to check the specific requirements of the county where the wedding will take place.

Additional Considerations

When getting ordained to officiate a wedding, it is important to keep in mind any specific requirements or restrictions that may apply. For example, some states or counties may have age requirements for officiants, while others may require the officiant to be a resident of the state. It is also important to be aware of any penalties for performing an illegal wedding ceremony, such as marriages involving minors.

Other celebrities who can officiate weddings

Kesha is not the only celebrity who can officiate weddings. Here are some other famous faces who have taken on the role of wedding officiant:

• Harry Styles: The singer officiated his agent, Jeffrey Azoff's wedding in 2021.
• Holland Taylor: The legendary actress officiated the wedding of Twilight star, Elizabeth Reaser and her partner, Bruce Gilbert.
• Kim Kardashian: The reality star and businesswoman officiated her hairstylist, Chris Appleton's wedding in 2023.
• Adele: The British singer got ordained to marry her close friend, Alan Carr and his partner, Paul Drayton in 2018.
• Jesse Tyler Ferguson: The Modern Family actor officiated his former co-star, Sarah Hyland's wedding to Wells Adams in 2022.
• Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson: The actor and former wrestler surprised comedian Nick Mundy by officiating his wedding in 2015.
• Jimmy Kimmel: The late-night host has officiated multiple weddings, including Matt Damon's vow renewal and Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux's nuptials.
• Lady Gaga: The pop star officiated her friend and yoga teacher, Tricia Donegan's wedding after the legalization of gay marriage in New York in 2011.
• Tom Hanks: The Oscar winner became ordained to officiate Allison Williams and Ricky Van Veen's wedding in 2015.
• Kaley Cuoco: The actress took on the role of "reverend" when she officiated her friend, Tracey Wade's wedding in 2023.
• Colman Domingo: The Euphoria star officiated his lifelong friend, Anika Noni Rose's wedding in 2022.
• Maya Rudolph: The actress was both the officiant and matron of honour at her cousin, Sabrina Rudolph's wedding.
• Joan Rivers: The comedian officiated a same-sex couple's wedding at a book signing in 2014, and again at a ceremony in Paris after the couple obtained their marriage license.
• Queen Latifah: The actress and singer officiated 33 couples' weddings at the 2014 Grammy Awards to show support for same-sex marriage equality.
• Alicia Silverstone: The Clueless actress officiated her King Cobra co-star, Garrett Clayton's wedding in 2021.
• Kevin Smith: The director has made a career out of officiating weddings, charging a fee of $5,000 for his services.
• Jonah Hill: The actor officiated his childhood friend, Adam Levine's wedding to Behati Prinsloo in 2014.

Frequently asked questions