Frequently Asked Questions

Now that you have decided you want to get married there are many questions that you may have.  Here are some  answers to frequently asked questions but please don’t hesitate to ask  me something if you don’t see your answer here. 

~To receive a  marriage license in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, both parties need to be 18 years of age and file intentions in person at any city or town clerks office in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
It does not have to be in the city or town you live in or are getting married in.  The license may be picked up 3 days after applying is good for 60 days.  The cost is approximately $20-50 depending on the city or town. 

~Massachusetts no longer requires blood tests in order to be  married.

~You do not need to have any witnesses at the ceremony.  Just the two of you and the officiant is all you need. 

~After the ceremony the officiant will return the license to the clerk’s  office of the town the license came from where it will be recorded.  The couple may get a certified copy from the clerk’s office you received the license from.  The officiant cannot give you a copy.
 

~The officiant does not expect an invitation to the rehearsal dinner or the reception.  As a general rule they will leave once the ceremony is over.

~If you forget your license the day of the wedding, the officiant cannot preform the ceremony.   Many couples give the license to the officiant before the day of the wedding. 

~You can write your own vows or personalize your  ceremony as you wish.  As a general rule, there is no prescribed form of  ceremony to solemnize a marriage.  Much of the common wording you hear, even the exchange of rings is optional.

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~What about tipping?  For the people providing your wedding services, tipping is never expected, but always appreciated.