Are you wondering how to self-officiate / self-solemnize in Wisconsin for your wedding or elopement ceremony? If so, this blog is for you!
Did you know that you can get married in Wisconsin with only FIVE (5) people present? Legally, a wedding or elopement ceremony in Wisconsin consists of five (5) people - the couple, the officiant, and two witnesses.
However, you can also self-marry / self-solemnize / self-unify / self-officiate in Wisconsin, meaning you don't need an officiant or judge present to make your marriage declarations for your marriage license to be valid.
How to self-officiate / self-solemnize in Wisconsin for your wedding or elopement ceremony:
All you have to do to self-solemnize your wedding or elopement ceremony in Wisconsin is this: You as the couple getting married would just complete (or fill out) the officiant portion of the marriage license by entering both of your signatures. Yes, it's that simple to self-solemnize or self-officiate your wedding in Wisconsin!
"Couples may self-marry (without an officiant) in cases where one of the marrying parties, or both, belong to a religious society, denomination, or sect that has customs, rules, and regulations regarding self-marriage [secular humanism, or free thought/anti-religion/atheism/agnosticism count as religious denominations]. The word of the applicant is sufficient; proof regarding religion/denomination/sect is not required. Couples who self-officiate use the same marriage documents that are used by all Wisconsin marriage license applicants." (Self-Marriages Wis. Stat. § 765.16)
Self-solemnization is a great idea for your elopement if you want to keep the day incredibly intimate with a small number of people around.
If you are interested in keeping your elopement even more intimate and small, as your photographer, I can count as one of your witnesses.
In case you don't want to completely self-solemnize, but you also don't want to have an officiant or judge (meaning additional people) witness your ceremony, I am also ordained, so I would be able to act as your officiant and sign your marriage license. This means fewer people around when you say your vows. You would still need two witnesses to also sign your license if I act as the officiant, and one other witness if I act as a witness.
How to get your marriage license in Dane County, Wisconsin:
Here are some resources for Dane County: Marriage License Information
"Ceremony arrangements for the wedding must be set PRIOR to applying for a marriage license. When you apply, you will have to share the date and location of the ceremony (the county and city, town or village the ceremony will take place in)."
Are you planning to elope and self-solemnize in Wisconsin? Check out my blog post about the best places to elope in Wisconsin!
Are you ready to book your photographer for your Wisconsin elopement?
