1. How to Become a Minister in Lafayette Parish

If you haven't already, you'll want to get ordained as a ULC minister by clicking the button below. Get Ordainedâ„¢ offers ordination through Universal Life Church within moments and completely free of charge. All you have to do is sign up, fill out a short form, and you'll be a legally ordained minister, able to officiate weddings and more. Sign up today!

Important Info for Ministers in Lafayette Parish

ULC Ordination Accepted:
Yes
Minister Registration Required:
Yes
Documents Required:
N/A
Minister's Residency:
Irrelevant
Minister's Minimum Age:
18

2. Learn Lafayette Parish Marriage Requirements

Once you're ordained, the next thing you'll want to do is contact the office in Lafayette Parish that handles marriage licenses. You'll want to tell them that you're an ordained minister officiating a wedding, and ask what documentation they want to see from you in order to officiate a wedding. You can find the Lafayette Parish office's contact information below.

Office Address:
800 So. Buchanan St.
Lafayette, LA 70501
Office Phone Number:
(337) 291-6400

3. Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Lafayette Parish?

If you're ordained as a minister of the Universal Life Church, you can! Many couples are choosing to both cut costs and personalize their event by enlisting a close family friend or loved one to officiate their ceremony.

The couple could ask anyone, but they've asked you to forever be a part of their love story! Consider it a great honor. It's important to note that not everyone knows that this is even an option. If you know someone who has an upcoming wedding, you might consider asking who is performing their ceremony, and let them know that you're available if needed. Who knows, you might just get a reputation as a go-to officiant!

Average Cost of a Wedding in Lafayette Parish:
$29,400

4. What You'll Need to Officiate in Lafayette Parish

The office in Lafayette Parish will be able to tell you what you'll need to pick up from our online store in order to perform a wedding. One of the most popular options for ministers in Lafayette Parish is the Classic Wedding Kit!

Now you can get to the fun part: officiating the wedding itself. Whether it's your first time performing a wedding, or you just need to refresh your memory, we suggest taking a look at our wedding training center, which is full of all the resources you'll need to give the couple the wedding they deserve.

5. How Lafayette Parish Marriage Licenses Work

With the ceremony complete, the last - and most important - responsibility remains: Signing and returning the marriage license. A marriage license in Lafayette Parish is valid for 30 days, so don't delay. Keep in mind that once the marriage license has been obtained, there is a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before the wedding ceremony can happen. Also note that the marriage license must be returned to the office that issued it within the time limit given after it has been signed.

Remember, this is a legal document! Take your time to ensure that it's been filled out properly before it is returned to the issuing office. If you need in-depth instructions on how to fill it out, take a look at our marriage license training page for assistance.

Marriage License Waiting Period:
24 Hours
Marriage License Valid For:
30 Days
Return Within:
By Expiration

6. Performing a Wedding in Lafayette Parish

Known to be the heart of Cajun country, Lafayette is a center for the art, food, and history of that culture. Like much of southern Louisiana, the landscape has both open land and woods as well as several bayous giving couples a number of options to choose from when looking for a backdrop for an outdoor wedding. Compared to larger cities like New Orleans, Lafayette is quaint and calm and its attraction comes from the natural landscape more than a wild nightlife. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette also calls the parish home and the Ragin' Cajuns football team is a popular draw in the fall.

7. What You Should Do Now for a Wedding in Lafayette Parish

You'll want to plan for rain all year if you're getting married in Lafayette with severe storms in spring and hurricane season in late summer plus high heat and humidity from June through August.

You know the ins and outs of officiating weddings in Lafayette Parish now, but don't forget to sign up as a ULC minister for free by clicking the button below!

With this first step conquered, you'll be officiating fully legal weddings in Lafayette Parish in no time!