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Many people wish to get married and want something more meaningful than a simple signing package that also comes with an actual ceremony. These couples may not want something as elaborate as a wedding ceremony package and may not need a rehearsal that comes with the wedding ceremony plus rehearsal package. The elopement wedding ceremony is the perfect blend of meaning with a ceremony and cost effectiveness with a cheaper price.
As you can see above, our wedding ministers offer cheap courthouse weddings that are perfect for wedding couples in Oklahoma who want something very quick and as inexpensive as possible for a wedding in Oklahoma City. However, there is another package that offers more flexibility with the date, time, and location, and the cost difference is insignificant. This is called the elopement marriage ceremony package.
The courthouse wedding costs only a few dollars more than a courthouse wedding does, with a difference of only around twenty dollars. However, for this small price increase, our LGBTQIA wedding minister can officiate your marriage anywhere in the OKC metro at almost any time of day or night. This stands in stark contrast to the courthouse marriage ceremonies, which our ordained ministers in Oklahoma City only officiate Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Thus, wedding couples can enjoy much greater flexibility when they choose to tie the knot with their nuptials, because they may want something in the evening, on the weekend, or even later at night and courthouse wedding ceremonies simply do not come with those timeframes.
Another fantastic benefit of elopement weddings is that our wedding couples can do them anywhere in the OKC metro without an upcharge for travel time and mileage. Thus, many brides, grooms, and nonbinary wedding partners seeking to become husband and wife, wife and wife, husband and husband, or partner and partner can choose somewhere like the Myriad Botanical Gardens, the Lake Hefner Lighthouse, the Will Rogers Gardens, or can even opt for a centrally-located, climate-controlled location like our office at Lifelong Wedding Ceremonies without additional expenses to shell out more money for. See what a difference twenty dollars can make?
So, when choosing a marriage ceremony package, our justice of the peace recommends that wedding couples first fully consider their needs, budget, and timeline before selecting. Indeed, if a couple just needs the cheapest, fastest option where they can just show up, get the marriage license at the courthouse, do the ceremony, file it back in very easily, and be done with it, then the courthouse marriage ceremony option might indeed be the best.
Our gay ordained ministers who officiate gay, lesbian, bisexual, nonbinary, and transgender weddings also note that there is another outstanding wedding package for couples seeking to tie the knot who want something a bit bigger and more comprehensive. Thus, our prison chaplain might suggest the wedding ceremony package or wedding ceremony package plus rehearsal, if a rehearsal is desired. This marriage package costs extra, but it also comes with some substantial benefits that many couples with larger, more complex wedding ceremonies want and need.
The upgrade from elopement weddings to the wedding ceremony package is seventy-five dollars. But since wedding ceremony packages come with optional premarital counseling services that will lower the cost of a marriage license down from fifty dollars to only five dollars, it will save these couples forty-five dollars right off the bat. Premarital counseling is extremely beneficial and helps newlyweds have a better understanding and additional insights into what a lasting marriage entails. Premarital counseling in OKC is a small investment of time that can reap huge long-term rewards.
Another benefit that wedding ceremony packages come with that elopement weddings do not is the addition of a free wedding ceremony enhancement. Brides, grooms, and nonbinary partners can choose from things like ring warmings, unity sand ceremonies, handfastings, unity candle ceremonies, and more. These special rituals can enhance the quality of the weddings themselves, adding a personal touch that makes nuptials more memorable for wedding couples seeking to tie the knot and become newlyweds.
For an additional fee, our marriage pastors can also perform multiple wedding rituals in one wedding ceremony. So, if our clients want a handfasting and a branding ceremony and a unity wine ceremony, then why not? For a small extra fee, our wedding officiants can certainly make that happen for you! We can add as many as you want to have to help make your special day extra memorable.
Wedding ceremony packages also come with an understanding that our wedding minister will need to spend more time with the wedding couple before, during, and after the marriage ceremony. From helping first time couples on low budgets with no wedding experience know where to sit and stand, helping to video weddings with our cell phones, and staying after the wedding for group photos that most smaller elopement ceremonies never have, larger marriage ceremonies with more people usually just take more time to do. Thus, marriage pastors plan to stay longer and do not feel as rushed and hurried, because they have planned to spend more time at the wedding ceremony than they do with elopement wedding ceremony packages.
Wedding ceremony packages can also come with an option for a rehearsal for an addition one hundred dollars or so, if the wedding itself is in the OKC metropolitan area. Our justices of the peace can help make the marriage process go smoother for the soon-to-be newlyweds by coming the week, day, or even a few hours before the marriage ceremony itself to practice the wedding ceremony with the couple beforehand. Indeed, a wedding rehearsal can truly make all the difference to newbie couples, because it can help them practice and work out the fine details so that they do not run into as many issues during the wedding itself.
When you and your future fiancé/fiancée plan to get married in Oklahoma and need help deciding which package is best for you, consider the following key factors:
One of the most important things you need to do when you hire a wedding minister and choose the best wedding venue in Oklahoma is the price. How much can you afford, and how much do you want to spend? These are important questions for all future spouses to first consider, before choosing an officiant and a wedding venue in Oklahoma City.
For couples with large social circles and extended families with significant financial means, choosing a more upscale wedding venue in OKC with more elaborate amenities can offer more luxury, relaxation, and social benefits for all attendees. This type of wedding is especially important for prominent figures and those of higher social standing, because more grandiose appearances and connections often play a larger role in these social circles. Indeed, couples at this level also choose to hire a wedding planner, an MC, makeup artists, caterers, wedding photographers, wedding videographers, and more, because these more extravagant weddings require extra assistance from additional vendors. But this size and style of marriage ceremony in Oklahoma is not for everyone.
Some wedding couples have smaller families and friend circles and/or have smaller financial budgets. Others may just want something smaller and private, because this is not their first time getting married and/or they do not want everyone else to know about their nuptials. Other brides, grooms, and nonbinary marital partners may just want to save more money for a down payment on their new family home or other needed living expenses. They may not want all the frills, pomp, and circumstance, and thus they need to locate an ordained minister near me who is sensitive to their needs and who specializes in officiating smaller weddings.
These couples may also need a location to get married , such as a free or low-cost outdoor location like the Lake Hefner Lighthouse, the Will Rogers Gardens, or somewhere else nearby. Our justice of the peace at Lifelong Wedding Ceremonies will sometimes even let sweet, kind wedding couples use our office as a wedding chapel for smaller elopement wedding ceremonies. Our ordained officiants sometimes allow this as a courtesy to our wedding couples, and on occasion we rent out the building space for a monetary fee to other couples who do not hire a wedding pastor from our organization to officiate their nonreligious wedding ceremony.
Whatever your budget, our marriage pastors are more than happy to help you have the best wedding ceremony. We can help with weddings of all sizes and at any location in Oklahoma. Contact us today for more details on our pricing and packages.
Our wedding ministers in Edmond are also well-versed in a diverse array of Oklahoma wedding venues that will surely fit the needs and budget of our bridges, grooms, and nonbinary marriage partners in Oklahoma. Whether you want something simple or elaborate, our organization can help you choose the best wedding venue for your special day. There are tons of options available, from free outdoor venues like the Lake Hefner Lighthouse, the Will Rogers Gardens, and our wedding chapel, to more elegant indoor and outdoor locations like Castle Falls & Whispering Pines. So, we will gladly help you choose the best wedding venue near me for you to tie the knot at.
Premarital counseling is an extremely wise choice for people who are wanting to get married who wish to first explore different aspects of what a lasting marriage entails. Indeed, finding the best premarital counselor in Oklahoma City is especially important for couples getting married for the first time and for previously divorced couples alike. It is akin to hiring a guide to help you enter a maze and get started down the right path. Having the right start gives your marriage the best chance of success.
While the initial guide does not follow a couple all the way through the maze called marriage, our marital counselors also offer ministerial counseling services to married couples in need of help during their marriage. Every couple that has been married for an exceptionally long time eventually needs some kind of additional support, so please understand that marriage counseling is extremely normal and valid. Going through it does not make anyone “less” of a person or a bad partner. Indeed, wise individuals recognize that nobody is perfect and that sometimes even marriage therapists see other marriage counselors.
Before you hire an officiant to help you and your future spouse become newlyweds, it is vital to choose a date and time for your nuptials. This way when you find an ordained pastor to marry you and a wedding venue you like, you can lock in their services right then. Indeed, it is important to select a wedding officiant who fits your needs and a nearby wedding venue suitable to the number of guests in attendance and the atmosphere you desire. Be sure to check with family members, friends, and other guests who will attend to ensure that the date, time, and location you choose works for them as well.
You will want to hire an ordained minister in Oklahoma and choose a wedding venue in Norman that is within a close enough proximity to the people who will attend and has the needed capacity for the number of humans and cats who will be present for your nuptials. So, decide on the best-case scenario and plan for the greatest number of people who are most likely to attend your marriage ceremony in Oklahoma. From there, you can choose an associated wedding venue in OKC that will properly accommodate the number of people in attendance.
When you are going to get married, you will also want to decide the approximate amount of time you will need to celebrate the wedding ceremony itself. Knowing this will help you have a better understanding for how long you need to rent the wedding venue, how long your guests, your ordained minister, and other wedding vendors will need to be present. Wedding rehearsals and wedding receptions can also extend the amount of time you need, so plan carefully.
When a couple wishes to get married but one or both future spouses is remanded in prison, there are special procedures you must follow to schedule a prison wedding ceremony. You will need to fill out a special form and must submit it to the prison chaplain. Our wedding pastors will provide you their information the prison chaplain will need to complete the process. The staff there will verify our prison officiant’s ministerial credentials and will run a basic background check on her/him/them before allowing our ordained pastor to come to the prison to officiate the wedding ceremony. Prisons usually only allow marriages to occur at prisons twice a year, once in the spring and again in autumn.
Then the couple will go to the courthouse beforehand to obtain the marriage license before the ceremony, and the prison officials will provide the needed witnesses for the signing of the license itself after the conclusion of the wedding ceremony itself. The process can go smoothly, provided the prison does not go on lockdown right when the wedding ceremony is about to take place. Whatever happens though, our justices of the peace in Oklahoma will take amazing care of you and will walk you through the entire process.
Some weddings, especially larger ones with higher budgets and more family and friends who will attend, have wedding rehearsal dinners and receptions that follow the wedding ceremony itself. Wedding rehearsals dinners are geared more toward family members and friends who will take an active wedding itself to relax and bond after the marriage ceremony rehearsal itself. Wedding reception dinners are for a broader base of attendees and usually include everyone at the Oklahoma marriage ceremony itself. Please be sure to invite vendors to the dinner and reception, because societal rules and etiquette consider it to be rude if you do not and instead choose to just leave them out of the celebration.
For larger wedding ceremonies with more people and associated complexities, wedding couples must consider needed support personnel that will help make the wedding ceremony run smoother. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
Ordained Officiant/Ordained Minister:
The most important wedding vendor you need to secure will be the LGBTQ ordained minister who will preside over your wedding. Without this individual, your wedding cannot and will not proceed. Choose the best officiant who matches the needed sensitivities and diverse requirements you have that offers a price you can afford, but be careful not to discriminate based upon things like race, gender, sexuality, nationality, etc.
Some wedding ceremonies need security officers to help deal with uninvited family members, unruly and/or drunk guests, and others who are unwelcome to attend. Most weddings do not have them, but some do, if needed.
Marriage ceremonies with more guests and nicer venues often have wedding receptions that require caterers. Caterers prepare the food, drinks, and help serve the guests so they can have a nice time and fuller bellies. While not a requirement for a marriage ceremony, having tasty food on hand is a great way to make the event more memorable and will help everyone have a better time.
Larger weddings often have someone on hand to help coordinate music, microphones for the couple and the wedding pastor, etc. This individual makes this part of the wedding ceremony easier for the wedding party and their family. DJs also add a nice professional touch and enhance the atmosphere.
Not everyone has the budget for it, but for those who do, the decision to hire an event coordinator in Oklahoma can relieve a tremendous amount of stress off the couple’s shoulders. This individual can help with the hiring of everyone, telling them where to go, what to do, and when, so the couple and their family can instead focus on each other and their friends. Wedding coordinators can cost extra money, but they are a great benefit to larger, more complex weddings.
If couples want help with their makeup and nails, then they should consider hiring some professionals to help them with it. Just knowing you have trained professionals to help ensure the right look for all party members is there on hand to help will relieve a lot of stress. That way, the brides, grooms, and nonbinary partners need not spend their time doing this task when they should be mingling with guests.
Everyone involved in the wedding ceremony will want to ensure their hair presents the perfect look. Hire professional hair stylists who can help do this for the wedding couple and any others who need extra help.
Wedding dress and tuxedo shops are perfect for those wanting the best in formal wear for their wedding ceremonies. You can go in-person or can order online but do your research on both the quality and pricing before you go. Start ordering clothing early, so if something goes wrong or you need to make a change you will still have time to do so.
The wedding venue is a wedding vendor that most people do not even think of as a vendor per se. But when you plan your wedding ceremony and find an officiant, you need to book your location in place as well. If you do not book your location well in advance of your wedding date, they may not have it open for the date and time you want. If you are certain of the date, time, location, and stability of your relationship, it is never too early to book your wedding venue in Oklahoma.
Not every wedding venue is a place you can book and officially reserve. Some wedding venues, as at the Lake Hefner Lighthouse, is open to the public and anyone may go there. Others, like the Myriad Botanical Gardens, require prepayment for the date and time you want. If the couple later cancels or changes the location of their wedding venue, they may have to lose their deposit or might not receive any refund.
Some expensive venues include the setup and cleanup as part of their wedding venue fees. Couples may not even need to hire additional personnel to help with this. Thus, if at a paid venue that allows the couple to set up decorations and have caterers, it is best if the wedding party checks in advance to see if they need to bring or hire additional help. Unpaid wedding venues, especially outdoors ones that are free and open to the public, rarely allow for extras and thus the need for additional people is usually irrelevant.
When a couple hires an ordained minister to officiate their wedding ceremony, they should remember that some wedding parties may have special needs. Thus, if the wedding couple and/or their family is a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, then they need to hire an LGBTQIA-friendly wedding minister or even a justice of the peace who is transgender, gay, lesbian, bisexual, or nonbinary. If the bride, groom, and/or nonbinary partner has a disability or other concern, then the wedding couple should take that into consideration as well when deciding which wedding officiant to hire.
One thing our organization would like to note is that couples should not discriminate against their marriage minister or other wedding vendors. Our organization has had countless requests for “only men” who are ordained officiants in Oklahoma, as well as from some Blacks who do not want Whites to officiate their ceremony. Other couples have derided and degraded our 2SLGBTQIA+ officiants as well, and this is never okay. Do not decline to hire clergy or other vendors for your marriage ceremony based upon stupid, bigoted, discriminatory criteria like this.
Many people fail to give the needed thought prior to getting married is the weather. Couples need to consider factors like the weather forecast, as well as the season they plan to have their wedding ceremony in. If they hold their nuptials in January, they should prepare for cold and secure an indoors wedding venue. If they have a wedding in springtime or the hot heat of summer, they should be mindful of rain and overbearing heat, respectively. Always have a backup plan ready for another alternative, nearby wedding venue.
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