Let's Get Married by Marie

Here is all the latest information I have for getting your marriage license in Northern California. If your county is not listed here, they are probably functioning as usual or the county’s website was unclear as to how they are handling marriage license issuance during the pandemic.

Alameda

The Alameda County Clerk-Recorder is issuing marriage licenses via videoconference for couples in California. They are backed up so expect it to be 4-6 weeks before you’re able to acquire a license.

El Dorado

The El Dorado County Clerk is issuing marriage licenses in-person by appointment only at both their Placerville and South Lake Tahoe locations.

Fresno

The Fresno County Clerk Registrar is issuing marriage licenses in-person by appointment only.

Humboldt

Humboldt County is issuing marriage licenses in-person by appointment only.

Kings

The King s County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder is permitting marriage license issuing in-person by appointment only.

Napa

The Napa County Clerk is doing drive-up marriage license issuing by appointment only to Napa County residents only.

Placer

The Placer County Clerk is issuing marriage licenses in-person by appointment only.

San Francisco

The San Francisco County Clerk is issuing marriage licenses via videoconference to any couple in the state of California. They allow appointments to be booked up to 30 days in advance but they fill up QUICKLY.

San Luis Obispo

The SLO County Clerk is issuing marriage licenses in-person by appointment only.

San Mateo

The San Mateo Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder is issuing marriage licenses via videoconference by appointment only for couples anywhere in California.

Santa Barbara

The Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder Division is issuing marriage licenses via videoconference only for couples anywhere in California.

Sonoma

The Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor is issuing marriage licenses via videoconference for couples anywhere in California.

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Marriage License Update for Southern California

Marie — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 23:27:28 +0000

Updated 28 Mar 2021. I will continue to update this post as changes happen.

What a time to get married!

So much is happening and I want you to be informed. Here is all the latest information I have for getting your marriage license in Southern California.

Los Angeles

The Los Angeles RR/CC is currently issuing marriage licenses via videoconference by appointment only. Expect to secure an appointment no sooner than 3-6 weeks out.

There are also notaries who issue confidential licenses in-person during this time. I recommend you reach out to Elizabeth Oakes of MarriageToGo.com or Mike Thieling over at GreatOfficiants.com to issue in LA if you need to get your license soon.

Orange County

The Orange County Clerk is issuing licenses through an appointment-only system for both virtual and in-person issuance.

Riverside

The Riverside County Clerk’s offices are issuing marriage licenses via videoconference and limited in-person appointments at select locations.

San Bernardino

The San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk is also sticking to an appointment-only system for the foreseeable future for both virtual and in-person appointments.

San Diego

San Diego Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s offices are issuing marriage licenses in-person by appointment only. Expect to be able to secure an appointment 3-4 weeks in advance.

Ventura

The Ventura County Clerk-Recorder is serving only its County residents only via an appointment-only, in-person system.

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Marie is a Top 5 Finalist for the Equally Wed Awards 2020

Marie — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 21:05:00 +0000

I was nominated for the inaugural Equally Wed Awards, honoring wedding vendors across the world who serve the LGBTQ+ community with joy and excellence.

While I didn’t win, I’m beyond honored to have been a Top 5 Finalist. I’m a huge fan of Equally Wed and strongly believe in their mission of honoring love and commitment for all couples.

Click here to see the Equally Wed finalists and winners

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Coronavirus COVID-19 Update

Marie — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 11:14:00 +0000

Updated 10/7/2020. I will continue to update this post as changes happen.

What a crazy time this is.

Within the span of a week (Mar 8 through Mar 15), I went from being sold out through mid-May to everything being rescheduled or canceled due to this global pandemic. At first, it was all voluntary and out of extreme precaution.

Then, on Tuesday, March 17th, 2020, the County Clerks offices all started to close, which means no marriage licenses were going to be issued until they reopened.

On Thursday, 19 March 2020, California Governor Newsome issued an executive order placing all of California on shelter in place lockdown. This orders “all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence, except as needed to maintain continuity of operation of the federal critical infrastructure sectors, critical government services, schools, childcare, and construction, including housing construction.”

The reopening plan has changed a lot since the first iteration presented on April 28, 2020. In fact, Governor Newsom offered a more nuanced 4-tier plan on Aug 28, 2020.

The good news is that all elopements with me are still good to go right now! We’re outdoors and in the open air in natural spaces, masked and socially distanced, which keeps elopements in the low to low-moderate risk category of activities.

Where do we go from here?

The reality is that there is a lot that can change. Let’s be honest, when 2020 started, the world was a very different place. The best we can do is watch the data and keep each other safe and keep each other going.

That’s why I am now doing a monthly update called Weddings in COVID. Click below to get the latest update.

Weddings & Micro-Weddings Through June 2021

I’ve made the difficult decision to not accept new bookings for weddings or micro-weddings happening before July 2021 for the time being, mostly because weddings (even masked and socially distanced) are a moderate-high to high-risk activity and because top immunologists like Dr. Fauci and Dr. Osterholm are saying that gatherings may not resume until the end of 2021. While I’m desperately hoping that is not the case, I don’t want to accept bookings without being confident I can fulfill what is promised.

For my couples scheduled in the first half of 2021, we are playing a game of wait and see. I will be reaching out three months before your wedding to discuss our options. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to get the Weddings in COVID update in your feed too.

Weddings & Micro-Weddings in 2021-2022

I am currently accepting bookings for weddings happening in July 2021 through the end of 2022!

PLEASE NOTE: For these 2021-2022 dates, you will be competing with 2-3 years worth of couples, so if you want to secure your date with me, click here to start a conversation now. Seriously, I’m already 40% booked for 2021 and 10% booked for 2022. (For comparison, I’m usually only 15% booked for the following year at this time because ‘wedding booking season’ doesn’t start until Thanksgiving and ends in February, which is when roughly 50% of my couples book me as their officiant for the following year.)

Elopements – 2020 is now SOLD OUT

Elopements are a go and y’all haven’t been messing around!

Elopements in 2021-2022

Even if you’re not sure about planning a full-on wedding next year, I am accepting elopements! In fact, I’m already 40% booked for 2021 and 10% booked for 2022. You can check my availability using the link in the menu at the top of this page.

Please note that ALL elopements require that we are masked AND practicing social distancing. This is a non-negotiable if you’re eloping with me. California requires people to wear a mask outside of the home when with people outside your household when in close proximity. This is reinforced by various County and local ordinances as well. And yes, I require this even outside due to the highly infectious nature of COVID-19 and the fact that for a ceremony, we must be somewhat near each other talking and laughing for up to 15 minutes during a pandemic for a respiratory virus.

Also, please note that elopements are NOT at formal venues, have NO set-up, and other restrictions. (Read more about that here.)

Marriage license issuing

Each County in California is dealing with this differently. Here are more specific updates:

We’re in this together

The reality is that none of us knows what is going to happen. None of us have the answers because this is evolving in real-time as we all react and respond. Right now, we are all doing the best we can with the information and resources we have.

Please know that I’m rooting for you and we will figure this out. But for right now, let’s take it one day at a time and not borrow tomorrow’s troubles.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay in touch!

[instagram-feed]

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Celebrating 8 Years As a Wedding Officiant

Marie — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 16:18:46 +0000

Eight years ago today (unplanned but serendipitously on National Coming Out Day), I first put up my officiant website. I was a social media marketer and freelance writer who was longing to get out from behind the computer screen to be with people and to travel.

Within six months, I was a full-time officiant performing several weddings a week.

Within nine months, I closed the doors on my freelance business and flung myself headlong into this weird hybrid of business and ministry I had so fallen in love with.

What a ride it has been! I’ve fulfilled so many of my own dreams because you chose me to help fulfill yours by celebrating the love and life you share together.

And my word, the stories I get to tell! The people I get to celebrate! The love stories you all have!

The experiences you all share with me get written on the walls of my heart. And after nearly 900 weddings (and counting!), I’ve had to learn how to expand my heart to hold more love and heartache and triumph and healing than I thought possible.

I’m so honored and privileged and delighted to be there for you as we speak your marriage officially into being. I wish I could explain how it feels to be so trusted and warmly welcomed into your lives for this incredible moment.

To every single one of my couples, THANK YOU!!! It has been an incredible eight years and I’m so excited for all the people and love stories yet to be celebrated!

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Marie is on the Evolve Your Wedding Business Podcast Ep 146 Talking About LGBTQ Inclusivity

Marie — Sun, 21 Jul 2019 04:08:38 +0000

Heidi Thompson is a mentor and dear friend of mine, which made me thrice honored to talk with her about LGBTQ inclusivity in the wedding industry.

We had an amazing conversation, so please take a listen!

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