How to Perform a Marriage in Loudoun County

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

Has someone asked you to officiate wedding ceremony in Loudoun County? 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 Loudoun County is recorded successfully.

1. How to Become a Minister in Loudoun County

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 Loudoun County

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

2. Learn Loudoun County Marriage Requirements

Your next action item is to contact the office in charge of issuing marriage licenses in Loudoun County. 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 Loudoun County.

Office Address:: 18 East Market St.
Leesburg, VA 20176
Office Phone Number:: (703) 771-5647
Office Website:: Loudoun County Office Website

3. Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Loudoun County?

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 Loudoun County:: $35,000

4. What You'll Need to Officiate in Loudoun County

After contacting the Loudoun County 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 Loudoun County, the Classic Wedding Kit with a Letter of Good Standing 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 Loudoun County 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 Loudoun County 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 Loudoun County 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:: 5 Days

6. Performing a Wedding in Loudoun County

Loudoun County, Virginia is a gorgeous part of the state, and a terrific place for a wedding ceremony. It also happens to be the richest county in the country, so don't be surprised if things are a little pricier here than in other areas! Loudoun is also home to one of the most exciting up and coming wine scenes in the world, with over 15 wineries calling it home. About an hour outside of D.C, this historic county is home to historic old towns such as Middleburg (where they make the BEST homemade marshmallows), and shopping for antiques and modern goods. The blue-grass hills of Loudoun county are beautiful, and perfect for hosting weddings. Worth the price, this county can make anyone's wedding dreams come true.

7. What You Should Do Now for a Wedding in Loudoun County

Due to the level of humidity in this area, Summers can feel quite muggy, even though the highest temperatures typically stay below 90 degrees.

Well that about does it! You are now an expert on Loudoun County 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.