Private Ceremonies

Getting married in Virginia is a straightforward procedure, with no waiting periods, blood tests, witnesses, or residency requirements. The state does not prescribe any specific ceremony form or wording. The couple presents themselves before the clerk of any circuit court at a county or city during weekday business hours to obtain a license (The license fee is $30 plus copying cost) The couple should be prepared to present proper identification if requested, and if divorced, should be prepared to show divorce papers, if so requested by the court. If you have any questions about paperwork or other requirements, please call the Clerk's office. See:

http://www.courts.state.va.us/courts/courts.html for locations. Then the couple presents the license to a registered celebrant, either civil or religious (It is highly recommended that this arrangement be made well in advance!). Most clerks provide a list of civil celebrants in their jurisdiction. The celebrant does not have to be within the same jurisdiction as the license-issuing jurisdiction, as long as the ceremony is performed within the state. The celebrant performs the ceremony and completes the license and mails it back to the court of issue. The court then certifies the return of the license and issues certified copies to the couple.

If you wish for me to conduct the ceremony, the nearest courthouse (2.2 miles) is the Henrico County Circuit Court at 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, Virginia. (804-501-5055), open M-F 8:30 – 4:00.

Our home is 100 miles south of Washington DC just off Interstate 95, (1 hr, 45 minutes on a good day). You may get married in our parlor in front of the fireplace. The room is decorated with antiques and can accommodate you and a few guests (up to 10). Please see the photos. Bring your camera and/or VCR, or my wife will take some photos with our digital camera and you can have the CD-ROM before you leave.

Call [804-262-9295] as soon beforehand as you can, to make sure of availability. While on the phone, we will ask for your full names and a few quick questions concerning what type of ceremony would be appropriate (such as whether you will have rings, whether you prefer more modern or traditional vows, whether you wish a religious sentiment included, whether there are ethnic customs to be included, whether you wish to use English or Spanish, etc.) We will print your complete ceremony with your names included and present that to you at the end of the ceremony.

Dress up! Have your ceremony in Spanish.

"Just wanted to drop you a line to thank you for the beautiful ceremony at your house on Monday night. You made an otherwise ordinary event very special and meaningful for Quinn and me. Our families and friends were thrilled with the photos that were provided, and we love that we have an actual copy of the ceremony that was performed. I will be sure to refer you to anyone who is looking for a great celebrant in the future. Thanks again for the wonderful ceremony!" Lynette & Quinn

At Christmas!
Imagine standing in front of the fireplace in the candlelight.

Note from bilingual couple:

... just writing to say "thank you" for making our wedding such a wonderful experience! Falling in love and speaking two different languages is quite the experience ... it makes you slow down and really listen to each other ... what you are supposed to do anyway. We took it as another sign/blessing that you performed our ceremony in Spanish. He had to answer questions in English at the court house ... and then I repeated the vows after you in Spanish! Turn about is fair play! And we were tickled pink (no pun intended, as we got married in pink!). Thank you so much for your kindness and efficiency and "no fuss, no muss" ... it was simple and fast and yet there were so many little touches that make memories. Thank you, too, for the wonderful pictures. I can't ever seem to get my eyes open in pictures and you took GREAT pictures of us ... of our love! Thank you! Quite sincerely ... and with many thanks ...

Ariel and Isara