How to Perform a Marriage in Fort Wayne

Researched and edited for you by trained team members at GetOrdained.org

Has someone asked you to officiate wedding ceremony in Fort Wayne? Presiding over the union of two people is obviously a great responsibility, and it won't be an experience you'll soon forget. As you prepare for the big day, please review this guide to make sure you're up to speed on the officiating process. We’ll explore key questions like what is actually required to officiate, what office you'll need to contact (and how to get in touch with them), and how to ensure the ceremony you perform in Fort Wayne is recorded successfully.

1. How to Become a Minister in Fort Wayne

Before you do anything, your first move will be to become ordained (in case you haven't already done so). How does it work? Get Ordained™ offers legal ordination via the Universal Life Church, and the process is completely free. The ULC welcomes anyone who feels called to ministry, and does not discriminate based on identity, creed, or any other characteristics. You can become ordained online in just a few minutes, right from your device. With this important step complete, you'll have the power to officiate legal weddings! To start the application, follow the link below.

Get Ordained Now

Important Info for Ministers in Fort Wayne

ULC Ordination Accepted:: Yes
Minister Registration Required:: No
Documents Required:: N/A
Minister's Residency:: Irrelevant
Minister's Minimum Age:: 18

2. Learn Fort Wayne Marriage Requirements

Your next action item is to contact the office in charge of issuing marriage licenses in Fort Wayne. Politely explain that you're an ordained minister planning to perform a wedding ceremony in their jurisdiction, and you'd like to know what credentials or official documents you need to show prior to officiating. Below you'll see contact information for this office in Fort Wayne.

Office Address:: 715 S. Calhoun Street Rm. 200A
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Office Phone Number:: (260) 449-7245
Office Website:: Fort Wayne Office Website

3. Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Fort Wayne?

How about you! (Once you are ordained, of course). Weddings have a reputation for being pretty spendy, and couples are always looking for ways to reduce costs. One way to do that, while also injecting extra meaning to the proceedings, is by selecting someone they know personally to officiate. This could be a friend, a loved one, or even a mentor.

Regardless of your relationship to the couple, being asked to officiate is a tremendous honor. It shows that the couple has deep trust in you, and that they find confidence in having you standing alongside them on the big day. It's worth noting, however, that not everyone planning a wedding knows this is an option! If you are close to an engaged couple, you could always present the idea of you becoming ordained and officiating, just in case it hadn't occurred to them.

Average Cost of a Wedding in Fort Wayne:: $2,200

4. What You'll Need to Officiate in Fort Wayne

After contacting the Fort Wayne office that handles marriages, you should have a solid idea of what you will need to order from our website. Based on conversations with our ministers in Fort Wayne, the Classic Wedding Kit is the most popular option. However, your selection may depend on the specific requirements for officiating in your area.

Once you receive the items you need, you'll be ready to officially perform the wedding! If it's your first time officiating, (or even if it's not!) we'd encourage you to visit our wedding training center, which features a suite of resources and tools you may find helpful when preparing for the ceremony.

5. How Fort Wayne Marriage Licenses Work

Once you finish the ceremony, your final (and most crucial) responsibility is to correctly fill out and return the marriage license. A Fort Wayne marriage license is valid for 60 days, and after the document has been issued, there is no mandatory waiting period before the marriage can take place. Please note that a marriage license in Fort Wayne must be returned to its issuing office before it expires.

Remember that this is a legal document, so always double-check all fields have been properly completed before returning it. The license itself can be a bit confusing, so if you need tips for how to fill out a marriage license, please check out our marriage license training page.

Marriage License Waiting Period:: 0 Days
Marriage License Valid For:: 60 Days
Return Within:: By Expiration

6. Performing a Wedding in Fort Wayne

In Fort Wayne, it's the little details that make a big difference. The city's unique approach to hospitality makes it perfect place to hold a wedding ceremony. Since the 1980's, volunteers have welcomed guests to the international airport with freshly baked cookies from the local Ellison Bakery. Once in town, check out Riverfront Fort Wayne, which stretches through city's skyscrapers with sprawling green space as well as charming shops and restaurants. The famous Grand Wayne Convention Center is great for folks that want to pull out all the stops with a wedding on a massive scale, complete with the facility's professional chef and hospitality crews.

7. What You Should Do Now for a Wedding in Fort Wayne

Couples can take advantage of the below-freezing temperatures in the wedding off-season by booking the Foellinger Freimann Botanical Conservatory and recite their vows indoors amongst the incredible plant life, complete with event spaces.

Well that about does it! You are now an expert on Fort Wayne weddings! Even if your ceremony isn't for a while, a friendly reminder that it's never too early to become a minister (ordination is good for life, after all). Go ahead and click the button below to get started.