FAQ's about Seattle Wedding Officiants

Steve and Teresa

Lauren and Tanisha

“Imagine there's no Heaven, it's easy if you try. No hell below us, above us only sky.
Imagine all the people, living for today...”
~John Lennon~

Q: Are you available for an Elopement Ceremony? Click Here for More Information...
A: Yes, because it is much more exciting and romantic then getting married by a Justice of the Peace, at the courthouse, in such an impersonal environment. Remember! Once you've acquired your Marriage License from the county clerk, there is a three-day waiting period before your Marriage License becomes valid. So, contact Frank for scheduling and availability as soon as you've got your Marriage License in hand.

Q: How many witnesses do we need and can they be related to us?
A: You need two witnesses present for any Marriage Ceremony. It is required that they are 18 years of age or older. Any person can act as a witness, even your parents. An Officiant, however, cannot act as a witness.

Q: Can we re-marry in Washington after being married in another country?
A: No. The only type of ceremony you would be able to have would be either a Renewal of Vows Ceremony or an Affirmation of Love Commitment Ceremony.

Q: Do you perform weddings outside of Seattle?
A: Yes. Outside of Seattle and at destination wedding locations throughout the United States. However, the primary area for my services is within Seattle and the surrounding metropolitan communities.

Q: Can we write our own vows?
A: Sure! You can do anything you want! It’s your ceremony! I'll even give you some pointers to get you started.

Q: Can we have a non-religious but spiritual ceremony?
A: I believe that a Marriage or Commitment Ceremony is a spiritual and heartfelt experience! You can incorporate any romantic whim you can think of. Except for a couple of legal restrictions, you have ultimate say over how your entire ceremony is to be executed. I do not perform ceremonies with religious content or themes.

Q; Will you attend the ceremony rehearsal?
A: Yes. After all, it is a wedding... not a dress rehearsal.
For weddings that include a bridal party rehearsing the marriage ceremony is a must. Spending the time with the members of the bridal party always helps smooth out the details and gives everyone a little more confidence and a clear picture of how they actually fit into the wedding ceremony program. Rehearsals do not have to take place at the actual location. For smaller weddings; 4 or less attendants, a rehearsal may take place on your wedding day before the guests arrive.

Q: What does "Officiant" mean?
A: Officiant is a non-religious title used by a person who is legally authorized to preside over, or perform, a marriage ceremony.

Q: What makes our marriage legal?
A: In Washington and many other states, any ordained minister of a legally recognized church may marry you. It is the obtaining and filing of the marriage license that makes a marriage legal. Your marriage license is obtained by you, then signed and filed by Frank Harlan.

"A man's ethical behavior should be based effectively on sympathy, education and social ties
and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be
restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death."
~Albert Einstein, Humanist~

Q: What are Frank Harlan's qualifications to perform weddings?
A: Like thousands of Wedding Ministers / Officiants / Celebrants in the United States, I was originally ordained with the Universal Life Church (whose ministries embrace a diversity of beliefs and non-beliefs). I have since been ordained by the Church of Spiritual Humanism (a religion based on the ability of human beings to solve the problems of society using logic and science). These credentials of ministry allow me to legally perform weddings, funerals, baptisms and other functions of the clergy in all 50 States. Philosophically, I am a Secular Humanist.

Q: What kind of locations will you perform your Officiant services?
A: I will perform your wedding at any location of your choice; reception halls, museums, restaurants or outdoors on a beach, a waterfront cruise or at a public park. For more extreme couples, environments like the top of a mountain, the end of a marathon, as a prelude to a shared bungee jump are all great places too! It’s all really up to you. Just make certain that you have acquired any necessary permission and permits in advance.

Q: What happens if it’s raining and our ceremony is outdoors?
A: Risk management is a very important consideration and you should ensure you have a wet weather alternative for your ceremony. A gazebo or hall is usually a good place if your ceremony is in a park or garden. Sometimes there may be a possibility of the ceremony being moved into the venue hosting your reception. Request attendees prepared for the worst if the possibility exists and note in the invitation “Rain or Shine”.

Q: What are Frank Harlan's PDA's?
A: Frank Harlan's PDA's are Same-sex wedding ceremonies performed in popular public places to promote awareness of "Marriage Equality". Click here for more information

Rob and Susan's Handfasting Ritual


Frequently Asked Questions
Below are Frank's answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions he has received from couples who are just starting to plan their wedding celebration.
Q: At what venues around Seattle have you performed weddings? A: As a Officiant I have choreographed and presided over wedding ceremonies hosted at dozens of popular Seattle area locations including Herban Feast SODO, Georgetown Ballroom, The Corson Building, The Ruins, Salish Lodge, Museum of Flight, Alexis Hotel, Seattle Tennis Club, Ray's Boat House, Seattle Space Needle, Golden Garden's Bath House, Doe Bay Retreat on Orcas Island, The Canal in Ballard, Stemson-Green Mansion on Capitol Hill, UW Center for Urban Horticulture, Clise Mansion at Marymoor Park and the Skansonia on Lake Union. Smaller gatherings have taken place at a variety of intimate settings and public locations that have included the Sky Bridge at the Pike Place Market, Urban Light Studios, the Arboretum, Volunteer Park Conservatory, Tower Club, Edgewater Hotel, Parson’s Rose Garden, West Seattle’s Water Taxi Dock, Carillon Point, Alki Beach as well as the beaches of Golden Gardens and Bainbridge Island, on Seattle condo rooftops and in the backyards of neighborhood homes.					Brian and Kathryn

Q: Where can we apply for a Marriage License? A: Click here to find out where you can obtain a Washington State Marriage License Please Note: A marriage license must be obtained no more than 60 days (but at least three days) prior to the wedding date. Remember! Once you've acquired your Marriage License from the county clerk, there is a three day (72 hour) waiting period before your Marriage License becomes valid. Q: What is the difference between a Non-Religious and a Non-Denominational Ceremony? A: A Non-Religious, or secular, ceremony celebrates the love between the couple without invoking any religious content or subject matter. A Non-religious ceremony may include cultural rituals, symbolism and content. However, the primary focus and narrative is on the couple's commitment and fidelity to each other, and their shared optimism for their future together. A Non-Denominational ceremony is religious-based but not necessarily focused on a single religion’s belief system. It usually includes elements of various religious practices. Meaning that, the content and symbolism incorporated into the ceremony reflects a general belief in a higher power. Q: How much do you charge to create and perform a Wedding Ceremony? A: As your Officiant, I always work to insure that my fee offers great value to any couple who needs assistance creating their ceremony and may have questions about planning their wedding day celebration. My fees are inclusive and range from $350-$650, less for Elopements (if your date is available). Your fee covers the overall actual time required to plan, script and coordinate all the elements of your personalized ceremony program with you, and then rehearse it with the bridal party, and finally perform it on your wedding day. The average ceremony is 15-30 minutes in length. Q: How far in advance should we book our Wedding Officiant? A: If you want choices, consider making a commitment to an officiant once you have confirmed your wedding date and venue. You can work out the details of the ceremony later. The truth is, it’s best to not wait until the last minute to book your wedding officiant. Many officiants, especially in the Seattle area, book as far as a year in advance. Q: How long does a Wedding Ceremony take? A: The average ceremony is 15 to 30 minutes long depending on the various elements you wish to incorporate into the ceremony. Organizing and planning the ceremony may take a few hours of communications and rewrites. However, a marriage can be legally solemnized in a ceremoy that takes less than two minutes, plus the time it takes to sign your legal documents. BUT! Where's the romance in that?!					Justin and Mona's Persian Wedding Photography by Lightphoria.com
"When we speak of equality, of women and men, of Blacks and Whites, of all the world's people, we are talking about Humanism." ~Gloria Steinem, Humanist~
Q: Can we include elements from different cultural traditions into our Wedding Ceremony? A: Sure! Anything you would like to add makes for an even more personalized ceremony. I can assist you in defining where and how your creative ideas can be incorporated into your ceremony. One of my favorite wedding ceremonies was one I cereated was with a Persian-American couple. It included traditional content and visual elements from both ceremony styles. It was beautiful! Another had a political theme and required a guest to make a motion to unite the couple. Q: Can we include my friends and family members in our ceremony? A: Yes, the majority of the ceremony must be performed by me as your officiant but your friends can have minor parts throughout the wedding ceremony. i can show you all of your options when we have our initial consultation. Q: Is there a reservation/booking fee? A: In all cases a deposit (or full payment) is required and must be paid in advance by cash, check, or money order. You may also make credit card payments through PayPal. Q: Who can get married in Washington? A: Anyone 18 years of age or older, who are not already legally married, may marry in Washington providing your partnership consists of one male, one female. Personally, I will not preside over a wedding ceremony for persons under 21 or under duress. Q: Do you perform Wedding Ceremonies for Same-sex Couples? A: Of course! Domestic Partnerships are recognized in Washington and many couples choose to make their Affirmations of Love with a Wedding or Commitment Ceremony that includes their family and friends. Click Here for More Information. Q: What’s the difference between an LGBT Commitment Ceremony and a Wedding? A: Nothing. Personally, I believe in equal rights for all human beings. I don’t make a distinction between “gay or straight” content. All of the ceremonies I preside over are based on the themes of coupling, mature love, partnership and community. Q: Is a Civil Union or Commitment Ceremony a Legally-binding ceremony? A: At this point in time, a Civil Union or Commitment Ceremony is not a legally-binding ceremony, because in Washington it is not a requirement for Registered Same-sex Domestic Partners. However, even though the ceremony has no legal ramifications, to me, it is a wedding ceremony, and you are getting married. Click here for information about WA State Registered Domestic Partnerships					Steve and Teresa Lauren and Tanisha
“Imagine there's no Heaven, it's easy if you try. No hell below us, above us only sky. Imagine all the people, living for today...” ~John Lennon~
Q: Are you available for an Elopement Ceremony? Click Here for More Information... A: Yes, because it is much more exciting and romantic then getting married by a Justice of the Peace, at the courthouse, in such an impersonal environment. Remember! Once you've acquired your Marriage License from the county clerk, there is a three-day waiting period before your Marriage License becomes valid. So, contact Frank for scheduling and availability as soon as you've got your Marriage License in hand. Q: How many witnesses do we need and can they be related to us? A: You need two witnesses present for any Marriage Ceremony. It is required that they are 18 years of age or older. Any person can act as a witness, even your parents. An Officiant, however, cannot act as a witness. Q: Can we re-marry in Washington after being married in another country? A: No. The only type of ceremony you would be able to have would be either a Renewal of Vows Ceremony or an Affirmation of Love Commitment Ceremony. Q: Do you perform weddings outside of Seattle? A: Yes. Outside of Seattle and at destination wedding locations throughout the United States. However, the primary area for my services is within Seattle and the surrounding metropolitan communities. Q: Can we write our own vows? A: Sure! You can do anything you want! It’s your ceremony! I'll even give you some pointers to get you started. Q: Can we have a non-religious but spiritual ceremony? A: I believe that a Marriage or Commitment Ceremony is a spiritual and heartfelt experience! You can incorporate any romantic whim you can think of. Except for a couple of legal restrictions, you have ultimate say over how your entire ceremony is to be executed. I do not perform ceremonies with religious content or themes. Q; Will you attend the ceremony rehearsal? A: Yes. After all, it is a wedding... not a dress rehearsal. For weddings that include a bridal party rehearsing the marriage ceremony is a must. Spending the time with the members of the bridal party always helps smooth out the details and gives everyone a little more confidence and a clear picture of how they actually fit into the wedding ceremony program. Rehearsals do not have to take place at the actual location. For smaller weddings; 4 or less attendants, a rehearsal may take place on your wedding day before the guests arrive. Q: What does "Officiant" mean? A: Officiant is a non-religious title used by a person who is legally authorized to preside over, or perform, a marriage ceremony. Q: What makes our marriage legal? A: In Washington and many other states, any ordained minister of a legally recognized church may marry you. It is the obtaining and filing of the marriage license that makes a marriage legal. Your marriage license is obtained by you, then signed and filed by Frank Harlan.					Austin and Camalita Jerry and Megan's elopement. Graham and Katrina
"A man's ethical behavior should be based effectively on sympathy, education and social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death." ~Albert Einstein, Humanist~
Q: What are Frank Harlan's qualifications to perform weddings? A: Like thousands of Wedding Ministers / Officiants / Celebrants in the United States, I was originally ordained with the Universal Life Church (whose ministries embrace a diversity of beliefs and non-beliefs). I have since been ordained by the Church of Spiritual Humanism (a religion based on the ability of human beings to solve the problems of society using logic and science). These credentials of ministry allow me to legally perform weddings, funerals, baptisms and other functions of the clergy in all 50 States. Philosophically, I am a Secular Humanist. Q: What kind of locations will you perform your Officiant services? A: I will perform your wedding at any location of your choice; reception halls, museums, restaurants or outdoors on a beach, a waterfront cruise or at a public park. For more extreme couples, environments like the top of a mountain, the end of a marathon, as a prelude to a shared bungee jump are all great places too! It’s all really up to you. Just make certain that you have acquired any necessary permission and permits in advance. Q: What happens if it’s raining and our ceremony is outdoors? A: Risk management is a very important consideration and you should ensure you have a wet weather alternative for your ceremony. A gazebo or hall is usually a good place if your ceremony is in a park or garden. Sometimes there may be a possibility of the ceremony being moved into the venue hosting your reception. Request attendees prepared for the worst if the possibility exists and note in the invitation “Rain or Shine”. Q: What are Frank Harlan's PDA's? A: Frank Harlan's PDA's are Same-sex wedding ceremonies performed in popular public places to promote awareness of "Marriage Equality". Click here for more information					Rob and Susan's Handfasting Ritual