Why Every Notary Should Consider Becoming a Wedding Officiant
- Jennifer Neitzel (Dallas, TX)
- May 15
- 4 min read
Updated: May 28
If you’ve ever witnessed a couple exchange vows and thought, “Dang, I’d love to be part of something that joyful,” this post is for you!
Being a wedding officiant isn’t just about saying “You may now kiss the bride.” It’s about holding sacred space for people on one of the most important days of their lives. And yeah, it’s also a pretty great way to expand your services and earn extra income (without needing to carry a printer in your trunk or wait on a signing service).
To break it all down for you, I’ve asked my dear friend Selecia Young-Jones, owner of the fabulous Rainbow Wedding Chapel in Jacksonville, Florida, to share her experience. She’s officiated hundreds of weddings with grace, humor, and heart..and she's spilling all the tea on what it takes to get started, and how to add this meaningful role to your notary or mobile service toolkit. Get ready to be inspired because this could be the next chapter you never saw coming.
Without further ado, let's hear from Selecia:
As a notary, you're already in the business of serving people during some of life's most important moments. But have you considered expanding your services to include wedding officiating? By leveraging your notary commission, you can tap into a lucrative and deeply fulfilling market, joining couples in matrimony. Whether you're in a state where notaries already have the authority to officiate weddings or you're seeking additional ministry credentials, this could be the perfect opportunity to diversify your business and make a lasting impact on your clients' lives.
Why Add Wedding Officiating to Your Services?
1. Increase Your Earning Potential 💵
Wedding officiating can significantly boost your income. Weddings are a billion-dollar industry, and couples are willing to invest in officiants who can create a personalized and meaningful ceremony. Depending on the location and type of service, officiants can charge anywhere from $150 to $1,000 per ceremony.
2. Expand Your Client Base 🌱
Adding wedding officiating to your services allows you to market to a broader audience. Couples looking for officiants often need other services like notarizing prenuptial agreements, marriage licenses, or even apostille services for international marriages.
3. Make a Personal Impact 👊
Marrying couples is an incredibly rewarding experience. As an officiant, you play a pivotal role in one of the happiest days of a couple's life. It's a meaningful way to connect with your community and celebrate love in all its forms.
4. Take Advantage of Your Existing Skills 🎯
As a notary, you already possess key qualities that make you a great officiant: professionalism, attention to detail, and a commitment to accuracy. These skills translate seamlessly into the wedding officiant role.
5. Stay Flexible 💪
Wedding officiating can be as full-time or part-time as you'd like. Whether you're looking to fill gaps in your schedule or create a steady stream of bookings, officiating gives you flexibility while allowing you to maintain your notary business.
Here's How to Get Started
1. Check Your State Laws
Some states, like Florida, Nevada, and South Carolina, allow notaries to perform weddings as part of their commission. If you're in one of these states, you can start officiating without additional steps. If not, please check your state laws for becoming a wedding officiant.
2. Obtain Ministry Credentials
If your state doesn’t grant notaries the authority to officiate weddings, you can easily become ordained through organizations like:
These organizations offer free or low-cost online ordination, giving you the legal authority to perform ceremonies in most states.
3. Market Your Services
Create a dedicated page on your website, share testimonials, and leverage platforms like social media and wedding directories to showcase your new services. Highlight your unique qualifications as both a notary and officiant to stand out.
4. Build Packages
Consider bundling your officiant services with notary services. For example, you can offer a "wedding essentials" package that includes officiating, notarizing the marriage license, and a keepsake certificate.
Today’s couples are looking for inclusive, personalized ceremonies. By positioning yourself as a notary/wedding officiant, you meet a growing demand for professionals who can seamlessly blend practicality with a heartfelt touch. Plus, with the rise of elopements, micro-weddings, and destination weddings, there are plenty of opportunities to carve out a niche.
As a Notary and Wedding Officiant in Florida, I have fallen in love with being a wedding officiant. As www.904rainbow.com, the Rainbow Wedding Chapel, I have found a great way to marry people in my chapel across from the Clerk of Courts. We have an express wedding called "Married In A Minute" or couples can choose a longer ceremony if they like. The opportunities of a wedding ceremony are endless. I have just returned from the www.weddingmba.com show in Las Vegas. It hosts 6000 participants and a couple of hundred vendors. The industry is strong, and the creativity flows with these people.
Expanding your notary business to include wedding officiating is not just a smart business move; it’s a chance to make a difference in people’s lives. Whether you’re joining couples under the sun or officiating a cozy backyard ceremony, the possibilities are endless.
So why wait? Start your journey as a wedding officiant today and let your notary business grow in love and profitability.
P.S. Already a wedding officiant? Add your profile to https://www.officiantdirectory.com/. Your FREE profile helps couples find you.
Share your tips and experiences with our community! We'd love to hear how combining your notary and officiant services has transformed your business. Any questions? Call or Write Selecia at 904-333-7311 or info@904rainbow.com
👉 For more marketing tips, resources, and strategies tailored to notaries, visit Marketing4Notaries.com
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