The best way to find an ordained minister to officiate your wedding is to start with referrals, build a shortlist online, read real reviews, call your top three, and confirm that each one can legally sign your California marriage license. Here is how to do each step, and what to ask before you book.
Want to skip ahead? Call (626) 675-9904 (8am to 9pm) for a free consultation.
Step 1: Start With Referrals
Ask friends, family, your venue and your photographer who they would recommend. If you attended a wedding where you liked the officiant, that is a strong lead. A personal referral tells you how the officiant behaved on the day, not just how they look online.
Step 2: Search Online for Local Officiants
If you have no referrals, search for phrases like “wedding officiant near me”, “non-denominational wedding officiant” plus your city, or “ordained minister” plus your city. Wedding officiant directories can help you build a list quickly, but a directory listing does not tell you whether an officiant is the right person for your ceremony. Treat it as a starting point.
Step 3: Read Reviews From Real Couples
Reviews on Google and Yelp tell you what couples actually experienced: whether the officiant was on time, easy to work with and calm under pressure. Hernandez Weddings has 32 Google reviews at 4.9 stars, and you can read our Yelp reviews too. Look for reviews from couples with a ceremony like yours.
Step 4: Call Your Top Three
Once you have at least three candidates, call them. A phone call shows you how they communicate and whether you feel comfortable with them. Ask:
- How many ceremonies have you performed, and what kinds?
- Will the ceremony and vows be customized, or is it a standard script?
- How many planning meetings are included, and are they by phone, email or in person?
- Who handles the marriage license paperwork after the ceremony?
- What is the total price, the deposit and the date-change policy?
- Is travel to our venue included?
Take your time and interview as many officiants as you need. For a longer checklist, see how to choose a wedding officiant.
Step 5: Confirm They Can Legally Sign Your License
In California, an officiant’s authority comes from ordination or investiture by a religious denomination, or from a public office or county appointment. The state does not keep a registry of clergy or require officiants to file credentials, so it is up to you to ask. If your officiant was ordained online, or you plan to ask a friend to officiate, confirm with your county clerk before the wedding. Read more in can ordained ministers legally perform a wedding ceremony and the role of ordained ministers in wedding ceremonies.
Also ask who returns the signed license. The officiant must return it to the county recorder within 10 days of the ceremony. Our California marriage license guide walks through the whole process.
Step 6: Compare Prices and Packages
Prices vary with experience, personalization and what paperwork is included. See our Southern California officiant pricing guide to compare fairly. Hernandez Weddings packages are $400 (Simply The Ceremony, $200 deposit), $500 (The Royal Wedding, $250 deposit) and $300 for anniversaries and vow renewals ($150 deposit).
Step 7: Book Early
Book as soon as you have a date, and 6 to 12 months ahead for peak season (spring through fall). A deposit secures your date and time.
About Hernandez Weddings
Hernandez Weddings is a family-owned business founded in 2007. I’m Gabriel Hernandez, a wedding officiant based in San Dimas with 19 years of experience and 300+ ceremonies performed. I started this business after attending a friend’s wedding where the bride’s father performed the ceremony, which showed me how meaningful a personal ceremony can be. I serve couples within 50 miles of San Dimas, with travel included and a small fee beyond that, including Covina, Azusa and Rancho Cucamonga.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find an ordained minister to marry us?
Ask for referrals, search online for local officiants, read Google and Yelp reviews, call your top three, and confirm the officiant can legally sign your California marriage license.
Is an online-ordained minister valid in California?
California does not keep a registry of clergy, and the state officiant guidance does not address online ordination directly. Confirm with your county clerk before the wedding.
How much does an officiant cost?
Hernandez Weddings packages are $400, $500 and $300 for vow renewals. See the pricing guide for how that compares across Southern California.
Ready to book? Call (626) 675-9904 for a free consultation, or see the packages and prices on the homepage.