Do You Need an Officiant to Elope?

Sara Michaels
Nov 8
4 min read

Hey there, lovebirds!

Rachel here, Your go-to elopement guide, photographer, and yes, certified officiant. If you're reading this, chances are you're in the middle of planning your elopement and wondering: "Do we need an officiant? Who even marries us if we’re eloping?"

Let’s clear the confusion and get you some real answers.

What Does an Elopement Officiant Actually Do?

An officiant is the person who leads your ceremony.

They guide you through your vows, help set the emotional tone, ensure the ceremony flows smoothly, and — if your ceremony is legally binding — make it official by signing and filing your marriage license. They’re not just reading a script; they’re holding sacred space for one of the most intimate, meaningful moments of your life.

It can be a pastor, faith leader, or even a friend or family member who got ordained online and is legally allowed to perform the ceremony.

Legal vs. Symbolic: The First Question to Ask

Before you even consider hiring an officiant, the very first question you need to ask yourselves is: Do we want a legally binding ceremony, or a symbolic one?

If your answer is symbolic, great!

That gives you so much flexibility. You don’t legally need an officiant, witnesses, or to follow any state or country requirements. You can say your vows anywhere, anytime, with whoever you want leading the ceremony — or just the two of you. Then you can handle the legal stuff before or after at a courthouse.

If your answer is legally binding, then yes — you’ll need someone who is legally allowed to officiate in the location where you're getting married. That includes signing your license, making sure any required witnesses are present, and sometimes even navigating location-specific red tape. This is where having a knowledgeable officiant is invaluable.

5 Must-Ask Questions Before Hiring an Officiant

Once you’ve decided whether your ceremony is symbolic or legal, here are five essential questions to ask:

Do we need a legal or symbolic ceremony — or both? This will determine if you even need an officiant, or if you can get creative with who leads your vows.
Where are we getting married — and what are the local legal requirements? Every state and country has different rules. Some allow self-solemnization, others require witnesses or registered officiants. Know the laws before you book.
Can a friend or family member officiate for us — and if so, how? If you want someone close to you to officiate, find out if they can get ordained online and whether that ordination is legally recognized in your elopement location.
Are we hiring a local officiant or bringing someone with us? What vibe do we want? Do you want someone serious and spiritual? Warm and witty? Deeply intentional and grounding? The right officiant sets the vibe — choose someone who aligns with your energy. You'll also want to determine whether you want to hire an officiant at the locale of wherever you are eloping to or whether you'd like to include someone special into your ceremony. It's not uncommon to have clients ask a family member to get ordained so they can perform the ceremony and then bring them along. (again, you will have to check local laws and regulations regarding this or ensure whoever you're booking has knowledge. This is something I include when working with my clients during the logistics and planning phase)
Are we already hiring someone (like a photographer) who is also ordained? Sometimes you can get a two-for-one: a photographer who’s also an officiant (like me!) who can capture the moment and make it official.

Bonus Tip: Ask What’s Included

Some officiants just show up and read. Others (hi, again!) help you with vow writing, ceremony structure, timeline planning, and even location logistics. Make sure you know what’s included — and what support is included (or NOT included)

Oh, and One More Thing...

If you’re looking for someone who can officiate and photograph your elopement, I’ve got you covered. I’ve helped dozens of couples bring their elopement visions to life, and whether you need someone to help craft a soulful, intentional ceremony or just want someone who gets it to guide you through the process — I’m here for it.

You can check out my officiant-inclusive elopement packages [here] (link). Not ready to book yet? No worries — grab one of my Elopement Guides to start planning with confidence and clarity.

No confusion. No chaos. Just a ceremony that feels like you with memories you can cherish for a lifetime.

xo, Rachel

If you haven't already, be sure to grab my ELOPEMENT GUIDES! These are the best place to start for any couple who's interested in eloping!

Ultimate Elopement Guidebook (40+ pages, start here! Everything you need to know)
Dream Destination Guide (90+ pages plus local rules & regulations)
Elopement Planner + Workbook (50+ pages from overwhelm to organized!)