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Marriage Officiating

The Important Day

Schmidt & Schmidt, S.C. — Wausau, Wisconsin

Marriage officiating is one of the more unique services our firm offers. Attorney Andrew Schmidt is available Marriagefor civil wedding officiating, primarily in Marathon and Lincoln County, but also anywhere else in Wisconsin. Typically called a justice of the peace or a court commissioner, Andrew can perform the solemnization required for a legal marriage or can officiate wedding vows so that you can become married.

If you have not yet decided on the vows you and your fiancé(e) will take, we have a number of sample vows for you to choose from if interested. Two of these vows were authored by Mr. Schmidt himself. To a large extent, all of these vows can be modified, except for the portion of the vows where you promise to take your partner as your spouse in marriage.

Costs or Honorarium

Fees, or honorarium, are typical for wedding officials. Judges cannot ask for fees during their normal business hours, but at other times, fees and gratuities are permissible.

Generally, the cost to have Andrew officiate is typically $150 if the ceremony is in the city of Wausau or its surrounding townships. Outside this area, he typically receives $175 for performing a ceremony mostly due to time and travel. If you are outside of Marathon County, please ask for a quote.

Andrew's Suggestions for a Great Wedding:

  • Call far enough in advance to reserve the wedding date. Please call Attorney Andrew Schmidt as soon as possible to check on date and availability. My schedule is planned about 1 year out.
  • I can perform up to three marriages on a Saturday, assuming all parties are on time and the locations are reasonably close.
  • Please have your guests arrive 15-20 minutes early; maybe having drinks and a light snack will allow increased socialization.
  • Reserve a place and make necessary deposits.
  • The actual ceremony will take about 10-15 minutes and the receiving line will take between 20-40 minutes.
  • Call and write your family and friends with the date, time and location have a map to your wedding and reception. Have LOTS of kids invited. Make them part of the ceremony somehow. See the Alternative Wedding Vows that include children.
  • If outdoors, a tent or other alternative location, is absolutely necessary. See Andrew’s favorite outdoor locales in Marathon County.
  • Plan for a style, and keep it simple. If outdoors - avoid anything very fancy, go light on the decorations and have something for the kids to do.
  • If you have children you want to include in the wedding you can have them also pledge to become a part of the new family or if they are younger they can be with you during the ceremony. I have held a toy dump truck as mom, dad and son repeated vows to each other.
  • Let Andrew know which wedding vows you would like.
  • Please let to us know what you have in mind to see how it will fit.

GREAT PLACES TO HAVE TO HAVE A WEDDING

  • Amphitheater top of Rib Mountain at Rib Mountain State Park. Park Ranger: 715-842-2522.
  • Eau Claire Dells; Marathon County Park System. Park Office: 715-261-1550.
  • Eau Pleine County Park; Marathon County Park System. Park Office: 715-261-1550.
  • Oak Island/Isle of the Ferns City Park; Marathon County Park System. Park Office: 715-261-1550.
  • Cherokee County Park; Marathon County Park System. Park Office: 715-261-1550.
  • Stewart Park; Marathon County Park System. Park Office: 715-261-1550.
  • Twin Sisters Wedding Chapel, Moon, Wisconsin (SW of Mosinee) 715-693-4019 - Terry.
  • Willow Springs Gardens, Town of Maine, (715) -675-1171
  • Marathon County Historical Society Garden. Office 715-842-5750.
  • The “back yard” of family or friends.
  • At the family cabin as long as it is in Wisconsin.

High-Quality Representation at an Affordable Cost
Call (866) 514-1627 to Reserve Your Wedding Date

To learn more or to reserve a wedding date for Andrew to officiate — reach us by phone or by e-mail today and talk to a Wausau lawyer who can actually marry you.