Everybody wants to know prices!  It’s a good question. It definitely matters.  There is no actual set price. Each wedding officiant has to charge a fee they are  comfortable with and what the market will bear.  I've been officiating weddings in Indy for over 9 years.  I've seen prices go way up and go way down. No two couples are alike and no two weddings are alike so there are services to meet just about every need with a price to match.  

So, What is the cost of a wedding officiant in Indy?  ​There are some statistics.  ​The website Cost of Weddings states the average cost of a wedding officiant in Indiana is $176.  Between 37-47% of couples hire a wedding officiant and they typically spend between $132-$220.  They also state more experienced officiants charge about $352 or more.

So, I’m not sure where the get this data or who they ask. But I decided to use this information because it does look like someone just went online and averaged all the published prices.  Those, I am intimately familiar with!

The actual answer is the price of wedding officiant services in Indiana start at $50 and go up from there. I know, because I have the cheapest wedding in Indy and it’s a basic civil ceremony.  There may be others who also charge $50 but I don’t see published prices that go lower. 

Since couples can no longer get married in most courthouses around Indiana, more couples are paying wedding officiants for basic services because they can’t just go to a judge for a quick, legal service.  Some counties that do provide marriage services only ask for a donation so you aren’t required to pay anything at all. So when you look at prices, you have to look at what you are paying for. And you generally get what you pay for.

I charge $50 for a basic, civil ceremony. It fills the basic requirements.  That’s it. I charge so little because I only drive 2 miles from my house to Starbucks to meet you to sign a paper and ask you a question.   If you want me to come to you and perform any sort of ceremony it’s $150.  The price is based on my time and travel.  Once I’m there, it doesn’t matter how many guests you have or what type of ceremony you want. You provide the place to get married and I will come and marry you.

This ends my short answer.

You can read my much long explanation below and watch the video.  It's a really good story that explains a lot about the dynamics of the wedding officiant business in Indiana and how prices are set.   

​Christmas morning I got up extra early to drive down to Brown County, IN.  I took a turn off the paved road to the dirt road and then I parked my car at the tip of the hill and walked down the steps to the cabin where a couple was waiting in their Christmas pajamas monogrammed with "Bride" and "Groom" to get married!  Their dogs also had matching pj's for the occasion.  It was awesome!  They had driving down from Wisconsin to spend Christmas on Lake Monroe.  It was pretty darn perfect as the sun rose over the lake as they said "I do."

​This is what Rachel has to say:

“A frightening thought to many individuals in a relationship is the thought that this person, who they love so deeply, might wake up one morning and suddenly realize they don’t love them anymore. I work with couples to take that fear away, to warm potential cold feet, and to provide them with a beginning that promises a beautiful life together.

The cause of divorce can generally be traced back to unmet and unspoken expectations. Using research-based techniques, I am able to effectively help couples explore, express, and compromise on their expectations.

I don't give advice or force solutions. Instead I provide an easygoing and unbiased environment to promote a rewarding marriage by guiding you and your partner in expressing yourselves fully."   -Rachel

As a professional wedding officiant, I am most concerned with the legal aspects of marriage and providing you with the services you need and want when you are getting married.  It’s definitely not up to me do decide if you should get married or not. It’s really none of my business. I chose to become a wedding officiant, in part, so I could help couples get married any way they choose.  You are adults and you can make your own decisions about the life you live and who you choose to share your life with  

Many people associate getting married with religious beliefs and the rules religions require couples to follow in order to enter into marriage in accordance with that religion.  Pre-marital counseling and marriage classes are often involved in the process. I think that many people look at pre-marital counseling as something you need to “pass” in order to convince the person providing the counseling that they should give you permission to marry.  

Mandatory pre-marital counseling, I’m sure, started with the best of intentions, but now I think it scares people, like maybe you’re doing something wrong and it needs to be fixed.  Or, somehow, there is a wrong and a right when it comes with the decision to marry. When a couple wants to get divorced, often counseling is suggested and other times required. I can’t really blame anyone who wants to shy away from the whole subject.  

What about the good things that come from counseling?  People who choose to enter into counseling to make their lives better?  Psychologists and therapist have valuable information to offer that helps a lot of people.  How about, instead of a counselor, you visit a coach? Someone who just wants to help you be the best you can be?  You are in a good relationship and you just want to make your relationship better. How about hiring someone who just wants to help you with that?  

Rachel Lamson is a pre-marital coach.  She’s passionate about helping couples navigate their ideal future together.  She’s got years of experience in communication, conflict resolution, healthy relationships and couples therapy.  She’s developed a program to help couples explore their relationship and think about their expectations and things they might not be talking about.  Her intention is to help couples just become better couples over their lifetime, starting now, with a foundation to build on. 

As always, its just a suggestion!

You can check her out Rachel on her  website  https://securetheknot.com/.  ​​

Of the many weddings that I've officiated in Indy, most of them would be considered elopements.  Couples not really looking for something big, just a little wedding. Traditionally, and elopement is when two people run away and get married in secret. They might have run to a little chapel right over the state line or downtown to the courthouse but today, a lot of elopements are planned. And they are planned beautifully!

Gazebos are always lovely for an elopement or a small wedding.  As a wedding officiant, I love them because they are great rain or shine.  I had one bride who had her heart set on a Christmastime wedding under the gazebo in Lincoln Park in Zionsville.  It was where they got engaged.  They rented heaters and chairs and it was very cozy.  

All of these gazebos are in public parks around Indy.  They can all be reserved for very reasonable fees.  My experience has been, with couples who want a quick elopement during the week, they didn't need to reserve the area.  On weekends they did.  The parks people they spoke with told them if the spot was reserved or not and if they should formally reserve it.  If you want to elope in the gazebo this week the odds of it being reserved right out from under you for tomorrow is small - but no guarantees.  As always, these are suggestions.  I take no responsibility for the area if you hire me as your officiant to marry you.  

Hi!  My name is Victoria Meyer and I’ve been a Wedding Officiant in Indiana for close to a decade.  Over the years, I’ve watched how getting married in Indiana has changed. A LOT! Since they stopped marrying couples in the courthouses in Indiana, the business of eloping in Indy has boomed!   Makeshift wedding chapels have been created, The Indy Canal Walk, Monument Circle, public parks and other public outdoor spaces are being used as free wedding venues. You can get married in a wedding officiant’s home offices as well.  It’s all a quest to find the alternative to getting married in the courthouse at a price you can afford. 

What is an elopement today in Indy?  

In general, an elopement in Indy is a couple just looking to get married immediately. They are looking for a courthouse alternative. They are looking for a wedding officiant to legally marry them quickly, easily and for as little money as possible. A same day wedding. 

There are also couples who are choosing to elope instead of having a large wedding.  They hire a great photographer to capture all the traditional wedding experiences but without the big wedding party. That’s a whole different wedding trend for another article.  Those are couples who are meticulously planning the details of their wedding, not looking for bargain elopement. ​

Hi! My name is Victoria Meyer and I've been officiating weddings in the Indianapolis area and all over Indiana for over 9 years.  I have the best job in the world!  At least I think so, I hope it shows in my work!

There are so many wedding officiants in the Indianapolis area.  If you are getting married, you will need to find a wedding officiant to marry you. You might already know one!  All it takes is a click of a button on the internet and you are an ordained minister, qualified to perform legal marriages in Indiana.  But does that make you a good, professional, dependable, wedding officiant?


So why should you hire ME? A professional wedding officiant in Indianapolis? 
​
If you want more detailed information about being a wedding officiant in Indiana please click here.   


A Professional Wedding Officiant Provides Convenience.  ​

Many couples in Indiana are finding themselves looking for a wedding officiant.  For many couples, a free wedding officiant would be great!

So, where can I find the cheapest wedding Officiant in Indiana?
I created the cheapest wedding service in Indiana 5 years ago.  It’s my $50 Quickie Wedding. I’ve married thousands of couples and my cheap, basic wedding service is still going strong. I meet you at Starbucks in Fishers and sign your marriage license.  I’m available every day from 7 am - 9 pm. You can schedule up to a week in advance online or call for a same day appointment. If you work late or early or need to travel a distance, this is the convenient service for you. 

There are several reasons you might be looking for a cheap and easy wedding officiant:
​

​If you are looking for information about finding a wedding officiant in Indiana or about being a Wedding Officiant in Indiana, this is the article for you.  My name is Victoria Meyer. I’ve been a Wedding Officiant in Indiana for over 9 years and I’ve married thousands of couples. My experiences as a wedding officiant have given me the opportunity to learn a lot and I’m happy to share my information with you.  I’m also happy to marry you!

If you are looking for a quick, legal  wedding today, or any day, please click here for information about my $50 Quickie Weddings

If you are looking or information about me officiating your formal wedding, big or small, including elopements, please click here.  

If you want more information.  Please keep reading. 

What is a Wedding Officiant?

A wedding officiant is a person who is legally qualified to perform a marriage. That means they meet the requirements set by the state to perform a marriage in that state.  

What does a Wedding Officiant Do?

How do you get married in Indiana?  That's a great question.  I've been marrying couples in Indy as a professional Wedding Officiant for over 9 years and have married thousands of couples.  I've asked a lot of questions along the way and am happy to share my knowledge and experience with you.  

Marriage is regulated on the state level.  Indiana, like every state, has their own, unique marriage laws.  How marriages are regulated and performed in other states has nothing to do with Indiana.  Indiana is actually a very easy state in which to get married.  We have no waiting period, so you can pick up your marriage license and get married all in the same day.  We also don't require witnesses.  Indiana is a great place to get married in secret.  So if you are looking for a real secret elopement, Indy is great for that.  Every state has their own marriage laws but a legal marriage is legal in every state in the US. 

While marriage laws are regulated on the state level, it is the County Clerk's offices that issue marriage licenses and each county clerk can interpret marriage laws in their own way.  If you have specific questions, ask your county clerk. 

The biggest differences I have seen between counties are how you proceed if you forgot to file your completed marriage license within 30 day.  You are still legally married, you might have to complete additional paperwork to make sure it's properly filed.  The other difference is obtaining a marriage license if one person is incapacitated - meaning can't physically get to the clerk's office to pick up the marriage license because they are incarcerated or simply immobile.  

Disclaimer:  I'm putting for this information to be helpful.  If I find  out something changes, I will update this page. Please just don't take my word for it.  

• Here is a link to the Indiana State Website :  https://www.in.gov/judiciary/2605.htm  It goes over the laws and contains the link to the online marriage application.  
• Contact YOUR county clerk with any questions.