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How to Officiate a Wedding in Tennessee
As a Minister of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
The Short Version
There are two things: the wedding ceremony, and the legal marriage. One is a ceremonial ritual, a performance, and the other is paperwork. You’re leading the ceremony. You may also handle the marriage paperwork in some places. In Tennessee?
Tennessee is complicated. In 2019, the state passed a law explicitly banning online-ordained ministers from performing marriages. But almost immediately, a federal court stepped in and blocked that law from being enforced (Universal Life Church Monastery v. Sumner County, 2019). The ban exists on paper but is not currently enforceable. FSM ministers can and do perform marriages in Tennessee — but the legal situation remains unsettled.
The good news: you can always perform the wedding ceremony. The ceremony and the legal marriage are separate things. Even if the paperwork landscape shifts, you can always lead the celebration. And right now, with the federal injunction in place, you can likely handle the paperwork too.
You Can Do This
The couple asked you because they want you standing up there — not a stranger, not a professional, you. That means something. Here’s what you need to know:
It’s not as scary as you think. Most ceremonies are 5–15 minutes. The couple does most of the talking (vows, “I do”). You’re the guide.
At a minimum, your ceremony needs two elements: 1. Declaration of Intent — “Do you take this person…” / “I do” 2. Pronouncement — You declare them married
Everything else — readings, vows, stories, jokes, Pastafarian blessings, the whole production — is optional and up to you and the couple.
The Ordination Package — $79
- Paper Certificate of Ordination
- Black/Silver Resin Wallet Card
- Two Vinyl Car Decals
- Digital credentials (PDF) delivered same-day
- Free shipping worldwide
Preparing for the Ceremony
- Get ordained — Get ordained with the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Takes a few minutes. The digital credentials come within hours, and the physical package ships in a few days.
- Talk to the couple — What kind of ceremony do they want? Religious? Secular? Funny? Short? This is their day — find out what matters to them.
- Write your script — Include the Declaration of Intent and the Pronouncement. Fill in the rest with whatever feels right — personal stories, readings, vows, humor.
- Practice — Read it out loud at least twice. Time it. Speak slowly — you’ll talk faster on the day.
Ceremony Day
- Bring: Your script (printed), your ordination credentials (just in case), and a black pen
- The ceremony: Walk through your script. Declaration of Intent → Pronouncement → done. Everything else is gravy.
- Relax. You’ve prepared. The couple picked you. Enjoy it.
The Paperwork Situation in Tennessee
This is where Tennessee gets complicated. Here’s the honest picture.
Statute: Tennessee Code § 36-3-301
The Legal Landscape
Tennessee’s statute lists who can perform marriages: “regular ministers, preachers, pastors, priests, rabbis, and other spiritual leaders” who are at least 18, “having the care of souls,” and ordained “in conformity with the customs of a church or denomination” by “a considered, deliberate, and responsible act.”
In 2019, Tennessee added subsection (a)(2): “Persons receiving online ordinations may not solemnize the rite of matrimony.”
However — and this is the important part — a federal court immediately enjoined (blocked) this law in Universal Life Church Monastery v. Sumner County (2019). The court found the ban likely violated the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause by discriminating between types of ordination. As of early 2026, the injunction remains in effect and the ban is not enforced.
What This Means for You
The short version: online-ordained ministers, including FSM ministers, can currently perform marriages in Tennessee under the protection of the federal court order. But the legal situation is not permanently resolved. The injunction could theoretically be lifted, or the case could be decided in a way that changes things.
Your Options
Option 1: Full Officiant (Current Best Understanding) With the federal injunction in place, you can perform the ceremony AND handle the marriage paperwork as an ordained FSM minister. This is what most online-ordained ministers are doing in Tennessee right now. Call the county clerk first to confirm they’re accepting online ordinations — most are, but it’s worth the 5-minute call.
Option 2: Purely Ceremonial (Always Available) You perform the wedding ceremony. The couple handles the marriage paperwork separately through the clerk. This works everywhere, every time, no legal ambiguity. You lead the celebration — the part that actually matters to everyone in the room. If the legal situation makes you or the couple uneasy, this is the stress-free path.
If You’re Handling Paperwork (Option 1)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Can officiant sign the license? | Yes (under current federal court order) |
| Registration required? | None |
| Marriage license cost | $37.50–$100 (varies by county; ~$40 with premarital course) |
| Waiting period | None |
| License valid for | 30 days |
| Return deadline | 3 days after ceremony |
| Witnesses needed | None required |
Before the Wedding
- Call the County Clerk — Ask about their stance on online ordinations. Most counties are following the federal court order and accepting them, but one call will give you certainty.
- The couple gets their marriage license — They apply at their County Clerk’s office. Valid photo ID required. No waiting period. Valid for 30 days.
- Consider premarital education — Tennessee offers a significant discount on the license fee (potentially $60 savings) for couples who complete a premarital course.
Right After the Ceremony
If you’re signing the license: sign it — you and the couple. Black pen. Do this immediately.
After the Wedding
Return the signed license to the County Clerk within 3 days. This is one of the shortest deadlines in the entire country. Don’t wait — set a reminder right after the ceremony and return it the next business day if possible.
Tennessee Tips
- Don’t panic. The legal landscape sounds scarier than it is in practice. The federal court is protecting online-ordained ministers, and thousands of marriages have been performed this way since the injunction.
- The purely ceremonial option is always available. If the legal situation concerns you, go ceremonial and let the couple handle the paperwork. The ceremony is what everyone remembers anyway.
- Call the county clerk before the ceremony. One call tells you everything you need to know about how that county is handling things.
- 3-day return deadline is extremely tight — the third-shortest in the country. Set a reminder immediately after the ceremony.
- 30-day license validity — make sure the couple doesn’t get their license too early.
- Premarital course = big savings — the couple can save ~$60 on the license fee.
County-Specific Info
- Davidson County — serving Nashville, Goodlettsville, Hermitage, Antioch…
Questions?
Contact us. Tennessee’s situation is unusual, but many FSM ministers have successfully officiated there. And as always — call your local clerk before the ceremony.
This page is a helpful guide, not legal advice. Laws change — and in Tennessee, they’re actively evolving. Always verify current requirements with your local County Clerk.