Southern Star Weddings
Clarksville, TN
What You Need To Know
Weddings are actually very simple at their core. You can choose to make them as big and fancy as you want, but there are only 3 things required to get legally married in most US states:
1. Two consenting adults
2. A legal wedding officiant
3. A valid marriage license
Everything else...rings, flowers, dresses, bridesmaids, church, etc...are completely optional! If you are on this page, we will assume that the first one is handled, so let's learn more about the other two requirements.
Legal Wedding Officiant
Who is allowed to legally marry people varies from state to state. It is very important to understand what your state, and sometimes county, require for your marriage to be valid.
If you choose Southern Star Weddings, you can rest easy knowing that your marriage will be considered valid and legal. I am an officially ordained minister through the Universal Life Church Ministries which legally authorizes me to perform weddings in 46 US states, including Kentucky. I am also a Notary Public for Montgomery County. This means that I am a public officer commissioned by the TN Secretary of State, which authorizes me to legally marry couples in the state of Tennessee. Additionally, I have current city and county business licenses. I am also bonded and insured which protects my clients and further speaks to my professional credibility.
IMPORTANT: Just about anyone you talk to (especially strangers in online groups) are going to tell you that anyone can do it, but that is not true. While some states allow people ordained online to perform marriages, many do not. Tennessee is one of the states that does not accept online ordainments. This means that your friend or family member cannot perform your wedding in TN. If they do, you are greatly at risk of having your marriage deemed invalid. Please do not jeopardize your future by trying to "sneak one past" the government. If it is discovered later that your marriage was performed by an unauthorized person, it will be nullified and can lead to a LOT of legal and financial problems for you and your spouse.
Valid Marriage License
Couples are often confused by what paperwork they need to do and when. Let's break down the steps.
1. Apply for marriage license.
It is the couple's responsibility to obtain a marriage license from a county clerk office prior to the wedding ceremony. The license can be used the same day it is issued, but it is only valid for 30 days from the day it is issued, so plan accordingly. A marriage license issued in TN can be used in any county in TN, regardless of which county you received it from, but it must be turned into the county that issued it. Look up your local County Clerk office online. Their website will tell you what information is required to complete the marriage license application, the office address, and the times they are open. You can submit the application online before you go in (highly recommended) or you can fill out a paper application in the office.
2. Obtain marriage license.
Both applicants must go in person to get the marriage license. Both applicants must have a valid government-issued photo ID or a certified birth certificate. An appointment is not needed. The fee for the marriage license varies by county. You will leave the office with the marriage license. You must bring ALL pages of the document to the wedding officiant.
3. Get married.
Give the marriage license to the officiant before the ceremony. After the ceremony, the officiant will fill out all required information and sign it.
4. Return the completed marriage license.
Though the paperwork says that the officiant must return the marriage license, either the officiant or the couple can do it. Most couples prefer to turn it in themselves so that they can get their official marriage certificate right away. It does not require both applicants to turn the paper in, it can be just one person. Regardless of who turns it in, you have 3 days to turn in the completed marriage license to the county clerk office that issued it.
5. Obtain marriage certificate.
The marriage certificate is the legal document that verifies that your marriage is official and legally recognized by your state government. This is the document needed to apply for name changes, change health insurance benefits, etc. There is a small fee for the official marriage certificate. I always recommend getting two copies as each spouse often needs one and it is always a good idea to have a backup in case one gets lost.