A civil ceremony in Virginia offers couples a simple, meaningful, and non-religious way to legally unite in marriage. As defined by the Code of Virginia, a civil ceremony contains no references to God, Christ, the Lord, Jehovah, or any religious language. Instead, the focus is placed entirely on your commitment to one another and the values you choose to highlight.
As a civil and inclusive wedding officiant serving Virginia couples, I meet you on the day of your ceremony and arrive at your location about 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. This gives us time to review any last-minute details and ensure everything is in order. I allow up to 30 minutes to perform the ceremony and complete all necessary paperwork so your marriage is properly recorded.
The Code of Virginia permits civil celebrants to meet with couples before their wedding to discuss ceremony details and agree upon a reasonable fee for services. If you would like support during your rehearsal, I am also able to attend for an additional, negotiated fee. The standard ceremony fee set by the Code of Virginia is $75, with a travel rate of $.65 per mile.
My goal is always to make the process clear, supportive, and centered on your wishes, whether you’re planning a simple civil ceremony or a personalized inclusive celebration. If you need additional clarification on Virginia marriage requirements, you may reference the Fairfax Circuit Court or reach out to me directly—I’m always happy to assist you as you prepare for your special day.
For further information, you may refer to the Fairfax Circuit Court [LINK]
Let’s start by saying that from the moment we contacted Leora, we felt we made the perfect choice. At the time, my fiance and I were living over 4,000 miles apart (Hawaii and Maryland).
She is sooo friendly and sweet, we literally felt like family. She offered recommendations and was very helpful throughout the entire process. She is thoughtful, thorough and fun. You can really see that she loves what she does. Our ceremony was perfect and we could not have imagined it without her. Thank you soooo much Leora!!
– Shannon & Taryn
