When people think about a wedding officiant, they usually picture someone in a fancy outfit, standing up front with a book, saying all the official-sounding stuff. But here’s the thing—officiating a wedding is so much more than that. And get this: in some places, you don’t even need an ordained officiant to make it legit. Yep, you read that right. Let’s dive into all the wild, unexpected, and downright cool details about wedding officiants that most people never think about, especially if you’re getting married in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia (DMV area).

1. Who Can Officiate a Wedding in the DMV?

Most folks assume you need a priest, a judge, or some officially certified person to make a wedding count. But if you're getting married in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia, there are a few unique options.

Washington, DC: One of the easiest places to self-officiate! DC allows couples to marry themselves with a self-uniting marriage license, meaning you don’t need an officiant at all. Just grab your license from the DC Marriage Bureau and make it official on your own terms.
Maryland: Friends or family members can become one-time officiants through the county clerk’s office, but Maryland doesn’t allow self-solemnization.
Virginia: Virginia is a bit stricter—you’ll need an authorized officiant, such as a minister, judge, or civil celebrant appointed by the court. However, there are ways to have a friend officiate if they go through the court petition process.

If you'd rather have a professional handle it, websites like Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries allow almost anyone to get ordained online quickly, making it easy to find an officiant who aligns with your vision and beliefs. You can also find professional officiants through services like WeddingWire or The Knot, where experienced officiants tailor ceremonies to your personality and preferences.

From my experience working with couples in DC, I’ve seen everything from rooftop elopements with self-officiated vows to lavish Virginia estate weddings led by ordained friends. It’s amazing how flexible the process can be depending on where you choose to tie the knot.

2. How to Make Your Ceremony Actually Feel Like You

Officiants aren’t just there to say, “Do you take this person to be your lawfully wedded spouse?” They set the entire vibe of the ceremony. A good one will make sure your wedding isn’t just another cookie-cutter event but something that actually feels like you.

Imagine swapping out generic vows for inside jokes. Or instead of reading the same passage everyone hears at weddings, how about pulling something meaningful from your favorite book, movie, or even song lyrics? The best officiants aren’t just reading off a script—they’re storytellers, weaving in all the quirks, emotions, and magic that make your relationship unique.

In fact, I’ve worked with couples who incorporated surprise elements into their ceremony—a spontaneous dance break, a heartfelt letter exchange, or even an unexpected reading from a favorite childhood book. These personal touches make the experience unforgettable.

3. The Legal Stuff in DC, Maryland, and Virginia

Beyond the sentimental stuff, officiants also handle some crucial legal things. They make sure:

The marriage license is signed correctly and submitted on time.
Any necessary witnesses are present (some places require them!).
You actually meet the legal requirements to be married in your state.

But did you know Washington, DC allows virtual officiants? Yep, someone could technically officiate your wedding over Zoom if the laws allow it. Meanwhile, Virginia and Maryland are stricter about requiring in-person officiants, so always check the latest local regulations before planning something non-traditional.

4. AI-Generated Officiants: The Future of Weddings?

This might sound like sci-fi, but AI-generated officiants are actually a thing. Platforms like Joy and Wedfuly have experimented with AI-powered officiants who can craft custom wedding scripts based on your relationship, values, and tone preference. Some couples have even used AI-generated voice assistants (think Siri or Alexa) to narrate their ceremonies with customized dialogue.

Of course, AI officiants aren’t legally recognized in most places (yet), so they work best as a ceremonial addition rather than the sole officiant. But who knows? With technology advancing so quickly, we might soon see AI-powered officiants that can personalize, adapt, and legally officiate ceremonies in the near future!

From my work capturing weddings in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, I’ve noticed more couples incorporating technology into their ceremonies, whether it’s live-streaming their vows to family overseas or having a pre-recorded AI-generated speech for a sentimental touch.

5. The Rise of Non-Traditional Officiants (Including Some That Aren’t Even Human)

Not all officiants are people. No, seriously. Some couples have had AI-generated officiants, while others have had their pets “officiate” the wedding with pre-recorded messages. Sure, your dog can’t legally sign a marriage license, but it’s still an adorable way to include them in the ceremony.

There’s also a rising trend of celebrity officiants—famous actors, musicians, or even comedians stepping in to marry their friends. If you’re lucky enough to have an A-list buddy, why not make it happen?

6. Your Wedding, Your Rules

At the end of the day, your wedding ceremony should be whatever you want it to be. Whether you’re getting married by a traditional officiant, an AI-generated voice, your best friend, or self-solemnizing, the only thing that truly matters is that the moment feels right. Forget the pressure of what a wedding is supposed to look like—make it yours, through and through.

I’ve had the privilege of photographing couples who threw tradition out the window and embraced something totally unique to them. Whether it was a sunset elopement at the Lincoln Memorial, a rooftop wedding overlooking the DC skyline, or a historic Virginia mansion ceremony, each love story was just as powerful as the next.

So, what’s your officiant game plan? Picking a friend? Going solo? Trying out AI? Let’s hear it in the comments! 🥂

The Wedding Officiant: More Than Just Words