I have been asked by my cousin's son (first cousin once removed) to be the officiant at their wedding in July. Does anyone here know what I need to do to legally serve in this capacity? The wedding will be in Texas, in case that matters.

Check the back of Rolling Stone.

W,

Google it and fill out a form, you're all set. Numerous friends of mine have done that.

Many options, but something like this: https://getordained.org/state-marriage-laws/texas

Yeah, it's generally dependent on the county you're in. I did it 6 months ago and simply filled out a free form online.

Thanks Diablo. I actually got ordained by the Universal Life Church this morning. I didn't want to include that in my OP, because I didn't want to lead the witness. So it sounds like I might be set.

LOL officiating makes it sound like they're gonna throw down after the "I dos".

Oh, they are.

I have some good sources for non-religious ceremonies, which I assume they might want given that they've asked for a not-previously-ordained officiant. If they don't already have a script and are either struggling or expecting you to wing it, LMK.

W,

This could be beyond epic if you turn the ceremony script into an OOT writing contest.

I would appreciate anything you have on this. Thanks Garick!

Too tired tonight, but I'll dig up a couple of previous scripts as well as a source of readings I've used.

Put me down as interested in a script, looking for some good examples.

The only advice I can give you from the wedding I officiated is don't drink half a bottle of whiskey before the ceremony and go completely off the script.

PM sent, but since I see some other folks are interested, here is the simplest script I've done. Names changed for privacy.

Script
Starting Positions:
Jill at back of tent with Maid of Honor.
Ring bearer at back tent
Flower girls at back of tent
Jack at front of tent with Best Man
Garick at front center


1. Garick calls the audience to attention
2. Audience finds seats
3. Garick says some words: Plato tells us much about Love in his Symposium I would share some of his words now: Humans have never understood the power of Love, for if they had they would surely have built noble temples and altars and offered solemn sacrifices. *This is not done, and most certainly ought to be done, since Love is our best friend, our helper, and the healer of the ills which prevent us from being happy. *To understand the power of Love, we must understand that our original human nature was not as it is now, but different. *Human beings each had two sets of arms, two sets of legs, and two faces looking in opposite directions. *In later times Zeus divided the humans in half. *After the division the two parts of each, desiring their other half, came together, and throwing their arms about one another, entwined in mutual embraces, longing to grow into one. *So ancient is the desire of one another which is implanted in us, reuniting our original nature, making one of two, and healing the state of humankind. * Each of us when separated, having one side only, is but the indenture of a person, and we are always looking for our other half. *And when two halves meet, we are lost in an amazement of love and friendship and intimacy. *We pass our whole lives together, desiring that we should be melted into one; this is the very expression of our ancient need. *And the reason is that human nature was originally one and we were a whole, and the desire and pursuit of the whole is called Love.

Jill and Jack come now that we may witness that they have made themselves whole, that we may join them in the celebration of their Love.

When Garick is finished, Bob Cues the music
4. Bride’s party processes in. Order: Flower girls, then ring bearer, then Maid of honor, then bride. Flower girls take front corner seats. Ring bearer stands next to maid of honor.
5. Garick: “Please be seated”
6. Audience sits
7. Jill hands bouquet to Maid of Honor
8. Garick: “Jack and Jill, I understand you have prepared vows?”
9. Jack and Jill: “yes”
10. Garick: “Jack, would you like to go first?” <prep oath scrip>
11. Jack recites vows….ends with “Jill do you take me to be your husband?”
12. Jill: “I do” <prep oath script for Jane>
13. Jill recites vows… ends with “Jack do you take me to be your wife?”
14. Jack: “I do”
15. Garick “As a sign of their commitment, Jack and Jill will now exchange rings.”
16. Ring bearer hands Jack’s Ring to the maid of honor, who passes it to Jill
17. Jill puts the ring on Jack's finger
18. Ring bearer hands Jill’s Ring to the Best Man, who passes it to Jack
19. Chris puts the ring on Jill’s finger
20. Garick: “You may now kiss ”
21. Jill Kisses Jack
22. Garick: “Jack and Jill, have, through their commitment, their love, their words and their rings bound themselves to each other. This we witness, yet to let all who were not here know and, most importantly, to let the State recognize this as official, we would like you to now witness the Bride and Groom signing the Marriage License”
23. Garick displays the form to the audience
24. Garick places the form and pen on table
25. Jack signs Form
26. Jill signs Form
27. Garick: “The Best Man, John Smith, and the Maid of Honor, Jane Doe, will now sign as the official witnesses”
28. Best Man signs as witness
29. Maid of honor signs as witness
30. Garick: “Ladies and Gentlemen, Chris and Jane are married! Please join me in congratulating the newlyweds!”
31. Bob cues up the music recessional
32. Garick: “The Bride and Groom encourages everyone to enjoy themselves until dinner is served at about 5, followed by the cake”
33. It’s done!
34. Party!

Gilbran's The Prophet is always a safe quote source for weddings also.

(I hope this is only a slight derail).

In movies and TV, there's a notion that the captain of a ship is allowed to officiate a wedding.

1. Anyone know if that's true?
2. If so, does it apply to the air?

I think you see where I'm going with this...

Depends on the jurisdiction, but "on the high seas" (in international waters), its accepted by a most jurisdictions, though they may require local paperwork later.

Seems likely that international airspace would work the same way, but I don't really know.

That's something my cousin asked me. A cursory check of the internet indicates that this is not true. Even if it is for a ship's captain, I've never heard of it for the captain of an aircraft.

I've made a note of it. Thanks!

Ah, crap. Got busy at work today and forgot to look for my other script. I try again tomorrow.