Wedding Resources

Wedding ceremony in Montgomery Country Maryland Question!?

Hello, my fiance and I have decided to wed before he is deployed to Iraq. We're just going to do something small, go to the justice of the peace and have a civil ceremony. His father, however, doesn't think that a ceremony is involved when you go to the justice of the peace. He says that you just fill out the paperwork and you're married. But his mother and I believe that there is in fact a ceremony that takes place at the county clerk office. It's small and simple, not at all like the wedding ceremony's most people are used to, but there is still a ceremony, still the exchanging of rings, and you still say your vows. I can't seem to find any information that will prove any of us right or wrong. Does anybody know about civil ceremonies? Is there actually ceremony! Please help!

Public Comments

1. There is an actual ceremony..if you call the office they will be happy to tell you what is involved. They will also usually accomodate special requests as long as they are reasonable. Congratulations : )
2. i guess i would call it a cermony but it's not a large production. usually the bride, groom, the justice of the peace, and a few friends at witnesses (though only 1 is neccessary). you can say your vows if you want, but really you just exchange rings and signs the papers.
3. You go to the county clerk to get a marriage certificate. There is no ceremony there. You are *not* actually married when you get the certificate. You have to have the certificate signed by a licensed officiant and then returned (usually by mail) to the county clerk. You are responsible for contacting and coordinating with the officiant yourself (this is not provided by the county, although they will give you a list of registered officiants in the area). You can choose to have the officiant hold a minimal ceremony or a big to-do. Back in the 60s and 70s, Montgomery County used to hold small civil ceremonies at the courthouse/clerk's office (my parents were married that way), but no longer.
4. Call the Mongtomery County Circuit Court. It may take a while to get through to a human being, but the Clerk should have all the answers. I'm pretty sure there is an actual ceremony-quick & simple, but the legality is in the paperwork.
5. You and your mother in law are correct. You do need to complete the application to receive the marriage license but then you make arrangements for the mayor or county clerk or judge to perform the ceremony. The wording of the ceremony is the same as a clergy would say and at the end the person performing the ceremony pronounces you "man and wife". The best thing for you to do is go into the municipality where you live to apply for the license (in New Jersey it takes 3 business days for the license to be issued) and ask the clerk there for the names and numbers of the officials who are doing civil ceremonies and then call those on that list to make an appointment for a civil ceremony. My boss is a municipal judge and has performed many such ceremonies in New Jersey and if a couple wants they can bring more than just the required 2 witnesses (we once had an entire wedding party (bride had gown, grown wore tux, they had bridesmaids and groomsmen and the family of the bride and groom were there (around 50 people in all) which we were prepared for at all, but worked it out. Good luck and God Bless your marriage.