Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Colorado? Choosing your ceremony officiant
Colorado makes it incredibly easy for anyone to officiate a wedding – yes, literally anyone! Many couples who tour with our Colorado wedding venue ask “Who can officiate a wedding in Colorado?” Choosing your ceremony officiant is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your ceremony in order to really personalize this monumental moment in your lives. Whether it’s the couple’s best friend, a sibling, or any other beloved family member, they can play a meaningful role in one of the most important days of their lives. Let’s dive into this uniquely Colorado approach to tying the knot!
Photo by Amp’t Images
Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Colorado?
The short answer: ANYONE! Unlike many states that require ministers, judges, or government officials, Colorado welcomes:
- Family members (as seen above with the bride’s brother marrying them)
- Friends
- Colleagues
- Literally anyone willing to help the couple say “I do”
No online ordination, certification, or special qualifications needed!
This is a photo of Bella Sera Event Center’s owner John Montoya marrying a couple in 2018. John makes such deep connections with his clients, that he has been asked to officiate dozens of weddings. He spends endless hours getting to know the couple, and makes every ceremony both meaningful and fun. Just look at the joy and laughter he helped create during their ceremony.
Why are Wedding Ceremonies so special and symbolic?
A wedding ceremony serves as a powerful shared memory and foundation for the marriage. The promises made, the emotions felt, and the celebration shared create a meaningful beginning that couples can recall during both joyful and challenging times in their relationship.
At its core, a wedding ceremony represents the public declaration of love and commitment between two people. Unlike private promises, this declaration happens in front of witnesses—family, friends, and community—who can support the couple’s relationship going forward.
Photo by Amp’t Images
How to Make It Official
The legal part is surprisingly simple:
- The couple obtains their marriage license from any county clerk’s office in Colorado
- During the ceremony or immediately after, they complete the marriage certificate
- The couple signs the certificate themselves (this is what makes it legal!)
- Your officiant, can sign as a witness (though this is even optional in Colorado)
- The couple returns the completed certificate to the county clerk within 63 days
- Marriage license locations near our Brighton wedding venue include:
Photo by Amp’t Images
Planning Your Ceremony agenda in advance
Just because Colorado makes the legal part easy doesn’t mean your officiant’s role isn’t important! Here’s how to be sure they personalize it for you:
Before the Ceremony
- Meet with your officiant one or two times so they understand your vision
- Help craft personalized vows or ceremony elements
- Ask them to practice, practice, practice (nobody wants an officiant who mumbles!)
- Review any cultural or religious elements you want to include
Day-of Responsibilities
Ask them to:
- Guide the ceremony flow
- Share your love story
- Lead any rituals or traditions
- Prompt the exchange of rings and vows
- Announce you in a fun way as officially married!
Photo by Amp’t Images
Another plus for a Colorado Wedding is Location Freedom!
Without strict officiant requirements, couples can marry anywhere in Colorado:
- Colorado wedding venues of any kind
- National parks
- Mountain summits
- Ski resorts
- Breweries
- Urban rooftops with mountain views
- Remote alpine lakes
Photo by Logan Newell Photography
Colorado’s Self-Solemnization Secret
Colorado is one of the few states that allows couples to actually marry themselves through a process called “self-solemnization.” This means that technically, the couple doesn’t need an officiant at all! But if your friend has asked you to officiate their wedding, you can play a crucial role in making their ceremony special.
Denver Wedding Venues
There are hundreds of wedding locations in Denver, CO that also provide a ceremony location. More couples are choosing to have the ceremony and reception in the same venue vs. a church service with the reception at another location. It’s best to tour several wedding venues so you can get a good feel for the style you prefer, the quality of service you can expect, the amount of work you have to do, and the value you get for your money.
Photo by Amp’t Images
Final Thoughts
So…who can officiate a Wedding in Colorado? Choosing your ceremony officiant should be easy after learning all you did from this article. Being asked to officiate a wedding is one of the highest honors a friend can bestow. Colorado’s relaxed approach doesn’t diminish your role – it enhances it! Your officiant is not just fulfilling a legal requirement; they are there because you specifically want THEM to play a central role in your love story.
Ask them to prepare thoughtfully, and help create a ceremony that reflects the your unique journey. In Colorado, the possibilities are as boundless.
Come tour our locally owned Denver Wedding venue Bella Sera Event Center, and let us help educate you on all of the possibilities for an amazing wedding celebration in Colorado. For over 20 years we have been passionate about creating one-of-a-kind celebrations that everyone loves.
Brighton, CO
720-937-6337
There are endless advantages for an engaged couple when they choose a locally owned wedding venue vs. a corporation that owns dozens of venues. Personal service, customization and flexibility, and the ability to develop genuine connections with a local business owner and their staff to name just a few. Check out some of these locally owned event centers just like ours across the country:
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