I need to find an officiant for my wedding. What are my options if I don't want a religious ceremony?

Absolutely. If you’re planning to marry in Maryland/DMV, you have several good non-religious options.

Your officiant options

1. Professional secular wedding officiant

   • Probably the best fit if you want a ceremony that feels personal rather than courthouse-like.
   • They can write a custom ceremony around your relationship, include readings, stories, vows, ring exchange, etc., with no prayers, God references, or religious language.
   • A few nearby options I found:
     • Taylored Vows — Columbia-based and specifically offers non-religious, interfaith and non-denominational ceremonies.
     • Ceremony Officiants - Rev. Laura Cannon & Associates — Ellicott City; offers secular/non-religious and highly customized ceremonies.
     • Wedding Officiant 4 Love — Gaithersburg; describes its approach as inclusive of people with any faith or no faith.
     • Vibrant Ceremonies — Lanham; specifically offers non-religious and interfaith ceremonies.
     • Weddings By Pia — Maryland-based, with non-denominational, non-religious and interfaith options.

2. Civil ceremony through the court

   • If you want something very straightforward, a judge, Clerk of the Circuit Court, or designated deputy clerk can perform a civil ceremony in Maryland.
   • This is generally much shorter and less personalized than hiring your own officiant, although the exact ceremony format and fees vary by county.

3. Have a friend or family member officiate — with an important Maryland caveat

   • This is common in many states, but Maryland's rules are different. Maryland Courts state that an officiant generally needs to be an authorized official, and their guidance specifically identifies religious officials and court officials as authorized. Maryland also does not require celebrants to register with the state.
   • So I would not assume that simply having a friend get ordained online makes them legally qualified in Maryland. If this is the route you want, I'd verify it with the Circuit Court Clerk in the county where you're getting married before building your ceremony around it.

What I'd recommend

For a wedding that is meaningful, romantic, and completely secular, I'd choose a professional celebrant/officiant and tell them something like:

"We want a completely non-religious ceremony. We'd like it to focus on our relationship, our story, our commitment to each other, and our future together. No prayers, scripture, references to God, or religious traditions."

That's actually a very normal request for secular officiants.

One important Maryland detail: the marriage license has to be obtained from the Circuit Court in the county where you're getting married, and the ceremony has to comply with Maryland's officiant requirements.

If you tell me your wedding location (city/venue), approximate date, and your budget for the officiant, I can narrow this down to 5–10 specific officiants near you, including reviews, pricing where publicly listed, and which ones are explicitly secular.

If you want to skip the religious traditions, you have plenty of great non-religious (secular) options to legally and meaningfully tie the knot.

• Civil Officiants or Justices of the Peace: Public officials like judges, magistrates, or court clerks can perform a straightforward civil ceremony. This is typically done at a courthouse or municipal building, though some can travel. It’s budget-friendly and legally airtight, though usually shorter and less customized.
• Professional Secular or Humanist Celebrants: Professional independent celebrants specialize entirely in non-religious, custom-tailored ceremonies. Humanist celebrants focus on human values, love stories, and personal milestones without any supernatural or religious references. They work with you from scratch to write a deeply personal script.
• Friend or Family Member: You can ask a loved one to get ordained online through organizations like American Marriage Ministries or the Universal Life Church. This adds a deeply personal touch, but you must double-check your local county or state clerk's rules to ensure online ordination is legally recognized in the jurisdiction where your wedding takes place.
• Professional Non-Denominational Officiants: Many independent professional celebrants advertise as non-denominational. Just be sure to screen them carefully: "non-denominational" can sometimes still lean spiritual or generic-Christian, so explicitly ask for a fully secular ceremony if you want zero mentions of God, faith, or higher powers.

To help narrow down the best path, tell me:

• Are you planning a formal venue wedding or a simple courthouse/elopement style?
• Would you prefer a friend/family member to do it, or a hired professional?

Skipping a religious ceremony doesn't mean you have to settle for a cold or generic script. You have several great options for a secular, modern, or deeply personalized non-religious wedding ceremony.

• Professional Secular or Humanist Officiants: Professional celebrants specialize entirely in non-religious, personalized ceremonies. Organizations like the Center for Inquiry Secular Celebrants train individuals specifically to craft meaningful, values-based life-milestone ceremonies without any supernatural or religious elements.
• Civil Officiants and Justices of the Peace: Local government officials, judges, or court clerks can perform legally binding, straightforward civil ceremonies. Many are happy to travel to a venue or perform the service at a courthouse, offering a clean, traditional legal framework.
• A Friend or Family Member: You can ask someone close to you to get ordained online through organizations like American Marriage Ministries or the Universal Life Church. This allows a loved one to legally marry you and tailor the script to your exact story. (Note: Always double-check your local county clerk's rules to ensure online ordination is legally recognized in your wedding's specific jurisdiction.)
• Professional Non-Denominational Officiants: Many independent professional celebrants advertise as non-denominational or interfaith, but heavily emphasize customized, secular scripts if requested. You can find and vet local professionals on planning platforms like The Knot Officiants Search.

Personal Perspectives

“I second trying "humanist" or "secular".”

“My niece got ordained online to marry us because we're not quite atheist I just don't believe in organized religion and neither does my niece so it was perfect short sweet she gave a great speech before.”

To help narrow down the best path, do you know where (city/state) your wedding will take place, and are you leaning more toward a friend/family member or a hired professional?

If you don’t want a religious ceremony, you have several good officiant options. The best choice depends on whether you want the ceremony to be legally binding on the spot, highly personalized, or led by someone you already know.

1. Civil officiant (judge, justice of the peace, clerk, etc.)

• A government-authorized officiant can perform a completely non-religious ceremony.
• This is often the simplest option for ensuring the marriage paperwork is valid.
• The ceremony can range from very brief (courthouse style) to more personal if the officiant offers private ceremonies.

Good fit if: you want something straightforward, legal, and secular.

2. Professional secular wedding officiant

• Many professional officiants specialize in non-religious ceremonies.
• They can help write vows, tell your story, guide the ceremony flow, and create a meaningful experience without prayers or religious language.

Good fit if: you want a polished ceremony but don’t want a judge or stranger reading a standard script.

3. Humanist celebrant

• Humanist officiants create ceremonies centered on human values, love, commitment, and your shared story rather than religious beliefs.
• They often specialize in personalized ceremonies with custom vows, readings, and rituals.
• Check your local marriage laws, since whether a humanist celebrant can legally solemnize your marriage varies by state and county.

Good fit if: you want a ceremony with meaning and symbolism but no religion.

4. Friend or family member

• Many couples choose someone close to them and have that person become legally authorized (often through an online ordination process, depending on local rules).
• This can make the ceremony very personal, but you should verify that the person will be legally recognized as an officiant where you’re getting married.

Good fit if: having someone who knows you lead the ceremony matters most.

5. Separate legal marriage + personalized ceremony

• Some couples handle the legal marriage through a courthouse or other authorized official, then have a friend, humanist celebrant, or professional officiant lead the ceremony they actually want.
• This can give you complete creative freedom while avoiding concerns about officiant requirements.

How to find one

Try searching for:

• “secular wedding officiant”
• “non-religious wedding officiant”
• “humanist wedding celebrant”
• “civil wedding officiant”
• “elopement officiant” (many also do larger ceremonies)

When interviewing someone, ask:

• “Do you perform fully non-religious ceremonies?”
• “Can we write our own vows?”
• “Do you include any religious language by default?”
• “Are you legally authorized to perform marriages in our location?”
• “What is included in your fee?”

If you tell me your city/state (or wedding location) and whether you want the officiant to legally marry you that day or just lead the ceremony, I can help narrow down your options.

If you don’t want a religious ceremony, you have several officiant options. The best fit depends on whether you want something very formal, highly personal, or just legally simple.

1. A professional secular wedding officiant

A non-religious wedding officiant (sometimes called a secular celebrant or civil celebrant) specializes in ceremonies without prayers, scripture, or religious language. They can usually help you write vows, create a ceremony structure, and personalize the experience.

Good for:

• A full wedding ceremony with guests
• A personalized story about your relationship
• Guidance if you don’t know what to say

When interviewing one, ask:

• “Do you perform fully secular ceremonies?”
• “Can we approve the script beforehand?”
• “Do you include any religious language by default?”
• “Are you legally authorized to officiate in our state?”

2. A friend or family member

Many couples choose someone they love—such as a sibling, close friend, or parent—to officiate. In many places, that person can become authorized through an online ordination process or a local one-time officiant process, depending on state rules.

Good for:

• A very personal ceremony
• Someone who knows your story
• A lower-cost option

Keep in mind: they’ll need to be comfortable speaking in front of people and completing any legal requirements.

3. A judge, magistrate, or civil official

A civil ceremony can be performed by a judge, clerk, justice of the peace, or other authorized government official (rules vary by location). This is usually straightforward and legally focused.

Good for:

• A simple ceremony
• Elopements
• Couples who want minimal planning

4. A humanist officiant

A humanist celebrant focuses on meaning, values, and commitment without religious elements. These ceremonies often include personal vows, readings, and symbolic rituals that aren’t religious.

Good for:

• Couples who want a thoughtful, values-based ceremony
• A ceremony that feels meaningful without faith language

5. Get legally married separately, then have your ideal ceremony

Some couples handle the legal paperwork through a courthouse or another legal option and then have a friend, celebrant, or other person lead a non-legal ceremony at the wedding. This gives you maximum creative freedom.

A few places also have options like self-uniting marriage licenses, but availability depends on state law.

If you tell me your state (or country) and whether you want the officiant to be a professional, a friend/family member, or a low-cost option, I can narrow down the best choices and how to find one.

If you are planning a non-religious (secular) wedding, you have several wonderful paths to choose from depending on whether you want a quick legal signing, a deeply customized ceremony, or a personal touch from someone you love.

1. Professional Secular Celebrants or Independent Officiants

Professional independent celebrants specialize entirely in non-religious, personalized ceremonies. Unlike government officials, they will sit down with you, learn your love story, and custom-write a script that reflects your values, hobbies, and personalities.

• Pros: Highly customizable, deeply personal, and experienced in public speaking and pacing.
• Where to look: Directories like The Knot Marketplace or WeddingWire Officiants (search using keywords like "secular," "civil," or "non-religious").

2. Civil Officiants or Justices of the Peace

Government-appointed officials—such as a Justice of the Peace, judge, magistrate, or city clerk—can legally marry you outside of a religious framework. Some perform these in courthouses or municipal buildings, while others are willing to travel to your venue.

• Pros: Straightforward, budget-friendly, and strictly legal.
• Cons: Ceremonies tend to be brief, and they may use a rigid, pre-written script with limited room for personalization.
• Where to look: Contact your local county or city clerk’s office, or search directories like Find a JP.

3. A Friend or Family Member

Asking a close friend or relative to get ordained is one of the most popular ways to personalize a secular wedding. Organizations like American Marriage Ministries or the Universal Life Church allow individuals to ordain online for free, and these programs do not require specific religious beliefs.

• Crucial Caveat: Marriage laws vary heavily by state, province, and country. Some regions require online-ordained ministers to register their credentials with a local government office beforehand, while a few jurisdictions do not legally recognize online ordinations at all. Always double-check your local county clerk's requirements.

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:

• What state or region are you getting married in?
• Are you looking for a fully customized script or just a simple legal ceremony?

I can help guide you on the specific legal steps or search terms you'll need.

If you want to skip the traditional religious elements, you have several distinct options for your wedding ceremony . The right choice depends on how personalized you want the script to be, your budget, and who you want standing at the altar with you.

• Professional Secular Celebrants / Independent Officiants: These professionals specialize entirely in non-religious, customized ceremonies. They typically sit down with you, interview you about your relationship, and write a bespoke script focused purely on your story, values, and personal promises. You can search for them on vendor directories like The Knot or WeddingWire by filtering for non-religious or secular options.
• Friend or Family Member: Asking a close friend or relative to get ordained is one of the most popular ways to personalize a non-religious wedding. They can easily and legally become ordained online through organizations like American Marriage Ministries or the Universal Life Church. Note: Always check your specific state or county laws beforehand, as a few jurisdictions have unique registration or residency rules for online-ordained officiants.
• Civil Officials (Judges, Justices of the Peace, or Magistrates): If you want something straightforward, strictly legal, and entirely no-fuss, a civil official is a classic choice. While many perform these duties at a courthouse, some are willing to travel to an external venue for a private fee. They generally use a standard, legally binding civil script with little room for personalization, though it varies by official.
• Secular Humanist Officiants: Certified by groups like the American Humanist Association, these celebrants focus on human connection, ethics, and love without any supernatural or religious framing. They offer a deeply meaningful, structured ceremony that celebrates your partnership through a secular worldview.
• Self-Uniting Ceremonies: If you live in a state or district that permits self-uniting (self-solemnizing) marriages—such as Pennsylvania, Colorado, or Washington, D.C.—you don't technically need an officiant at all. You and your witnesses simply sign the license, allowing you to run your own ceremony or exchange vows privately.

Finding an Officiant

Many couples find non-religious professionals through local recommendations or online vendor platforms where they can vet personalities and past work.

“I found my officiant through Wedding Wire, you can filter by selecting non-religious as a type!”

“Have a close personal friend or family member become ordained online and let them lead this shin-dig. That way it's all about what you want!”

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:

• What state or country you are getting married in
• Whether you prefer a professional or a friend/family member

I can help explain the specific legal requirements or give tips on how to interview candidates.

Absolutely. If you want zero religious content, you have several good options in New Jersey. You don't need a religious officiant just because they're the person legally marrying you.

Your main options

1. Professional civil/secular officiant — probably the easiest choice

   • A professional officiant can create a ceremony around your relationship, values, vows, family, and whatever traditions you do like.
   • You can have readings, personal stories, ring exchanges, unity ceremonies, humor, etc., without mentioning God, prayer, scripture, or religion.
   • In NJ, a state-certified civil celebrant is specifically authorized to solemnize marriages.

2. Judge or other public official

   • NJ authorizes certain judges, mayors, county officials, and other public officials to perform marriages.
   • This is a good choice if you want something very straightforward and legally focused, although the ceremony may be less personalized than with a professional celebrant.

3. Have a friend or family member involved

   • This can make the ceremony especially personal, but don't assume that getting ordained online automatically makes someone legally authorized to marry you in New Jersey. NJ law has specific requirements for who may solemnize marriages.
   • A nice alternative is to have a legally authorized officiant conduct the legal portion while your friend/family member does readings, tells your story, or otherwise plays a major role.

Some nearby options I'd look at

Since you're in the Haledon/North Jersey area, a few local services that specifically advertise non-religious or secular ceremonies include:

• NJ Vows Now — based right in North Haledon and specifically offers civil/secular ceremonies with customized vows.
• Marry Me Ceremony — based in Fair Lawn and offers non-religious ceremonies.
• Love & Light Wedding Officiants/ Elopement Specialists — East Hanover; offers civil/non-religious ceremonies and customized ceremony design.
• Weddings Para Siempre — Clifton; offers civil and non-religious ceremonies and can tailor the ceremony to your preferences.
• Heather Ferrante - The Bubbly Wedding Officiant — another NJ option with a strong emphasis on personalized, non-religious/non-denominational ceremonies.

What I'd tell an officiant when interviewing them

Something as simple as:

“We're looking for a completely secular ceremony. We don't want prayers, references to God, scripture, or religious traditions. We'd like it to feel warm, personal, and meaningful rather than like a courthouse ceremony.”

Then ask whether they've actually performed secular ceremonies and whether they help you create the script yourselves.

One NJ-specific detail worth knowing: you need a marriage license before the ceremony, and it is delivered to the person officiating.

If you tell me your wedding date, approximate ceremony location, desired vibe (romantic/funny/short/formal), and budget, I can narrow this down to 5–10 officiants near you and compare them.

Absolutely. You do not need a religious officiant to have a meaningful wedding ceremony. Since you appear to be in the Cocoa/Space Coast area, you have several good options.

Your main options

1. Professional secular/non-religious officiant

   • Probably the easiest choice.
   • They specialize in ceremonies that can be completely secular and can write something personal about your relationship.
   • You can choose the tone: romantic, funny, traditional-but-nonreligious, short and simple, etc.

   A few local options worth contacting:

   • I Do Florida Weddings — based in Merritt Island and specifically offers customized non-religious ceremonies.
   • WendyWedsYou — Cocoa-area officiant who travels around the Space Coast.
   • Wedding Ceremony Designs by Susan — Titusville-based and focused on personalized ceremony writing.
   • Love is A Beach Wedding — Melbourne/Space Coast option geared toward personalized, nontraditional ceremonies.
   • FreeBird Ceremonies — Orlando-based celebrant specifically focused on inclusive, non-religious ceremonies.

2. A Florida notary who officiates weddings

   This can be a particularly convenient option in Florida. Florida law specifically authorizes Florida notaries public to solemnize marriages, alongside clergy, judges, and certain court officials.

   For example, R & C Beach Weddings offers officiant services through a Florida notary, while I Do Florida Weddings also lists a Florida notary as its officiant.

3. Have a friend or family member officiate

   This can make the ceremony much more personal. In Florida, however, you need to make sure that person actually falls within the state's authorized categories. Florida's statute doesn't simply say that anyone can officiate because they obtained an online ordination.

   So if this is your preferred route, I'd verify the person's legal authority before relying on an online ordination alone.

4. Do the legal marriage separately, then have the ceremony you want

   Some couples handle the legal paperwork with an authorized officiant and then have a friend conduct the larger, completely personalized ceremony. This gives you maximum freedom over who speaks and what happens during the ceremony. Just make sure the legal marriage itself is properly solemnized and documented.

What I'd recommend

If you want zero religious language, I'd look specifically for someone advertising themselves as a "secular," "non-religious," "civil," or "humanist" wedding officiant, rather than merely a "non-denominational" minister. "Non-denominational" can still mean Christian.

When interviewing someone, ask:

"We're looking for a completely non-religious ceremony. No prayers, references to God, scripture, or religious blessings. We want something personal and romantic. Are you comfortable creating a ceremony like that?"

Also ask whether they write the ceremony for you, whether you can approve/edit the script beforehand, whether they handle the marriage-license paperwork, and whether there is a rehearsal.

If you tell me your wedding date, approximate location (Cocoa/Cocoa Beach/Melbourne/etc.), guest count, and your budget for the officiant, I can narrow this down to the best local options and compare them.

Skipping a religious ceremony doesn't limit your options . In fact, non-religious and secular weddings offer immense freedom to focus entirely on your relationship, values, and personal story.

Your primary options for a non-religious wedding officiant include:

• Professional Secular Celebrants / Independent Officiants: Professionals who specialize entirely in non-religious, customized ceremonies. They work with you to craft a script from scratch, incorporating readings, music, or unity rituals that feel authentic to you. You can find them via wedding directories like The Knot or WeddingWire , or through local recommendations.
• Friend or Family Member: Asking someone close to you to get ordained is a deeply personal and popular choice. Organizations like American Marriage Ministries allow individuals of any belief system (or none at all) to get ordained online for free, legally empowering them to perform the ceremony in most jurisdictions.
• Civil Officiants or Justices of the Peace: Government-appointed or elected officials—such as judges, magistrates, or city clerks—who perform straightforward, legally binding civil ceremonies. This can happen at a courthouse or sometimes at an outside venue, depending on local regulations.
• Self-Uniting Marriage (Quaker-style / Self-Solemnization): Depending on where you live (such as Pennsylvania or Colorado), some states legally allow "self-uniting" marriages. This means you and your partner marry yourselves in front of witnesses without needing an officiant at all.

Seeking a Personal Touch

If you are torn between a stranger and someone you know, hearing from couples who went the personal route can help weigh the decision.

“I got ordained in like 10 minutes when my bff decided to elope. Getting a family member is great, don't know the rules in other countries, but if youre in the US your officiant needs to have their credentials recognized by the state or county you're in to...”

If you'd like, let me know:

• Your wedding location (state/county)
• Whether you prefer someone you know or a hired professional

I can give you more details on the legal requirements or how to start searching in your area.