In an era where love stories stretch across time zones and FaceTime feels just as intimate as candlelight, the classic wedding blueprint is evolving. Big weddings aren’t every couple’s dream—and honestly? They don’t have to be. That’s why more modern romantics are choosing to get married online, embracing a heartfelt, legal alternative that lets them celebrate love their way.
That’s where our friends at Vows & Beyond come in. They’ve mapped out exactly how to get married online—from the legal logistics to the emotional moments that make it feel just as real (and romantic) as any in-person “I do.”
How online marriage works
Getting married online is about as simple as it gets. Online services provide all of the tools you need for a seamless experience from booking, getting a marriage license, to your big day, the professional officiant, and your final marriage certificate.
The best part is that it’s perfectly legal in all 50 states and most foreign countries!
WHAT MAKES IT LEGAL?
It all started with the pandemic. During COVID-19, many states changed their laws, with Utah taking the lead in modernizing marriage laws for the 21st century.
They essentially made it legal to conduct everything online, from applying for a marriage license to your virtual marriage with a Utah officiant, and receiving your final marriage certificate.
You can now get married online even if you and your significant other are in different locations, different states, or countries, and you can get married anywhere; you don’t even have to be a U.S. citizen!
Step-by-Step: The Online Wedding Process
Get married online by visiting a company that specializes in virtual weddings.
- Pull up their wedding calendar and book your day and time.
- After booking your wedding, a form will be automatically sent to you to fill out, which takes about 10-20 minutes.
- The company you are working with will secure your marriage license with the state of Utah and make sure all your paperwork is in order.
- Attend your virtual wedding. Your officiant will be your guide for the perfect ceremony.
- Immediately following your wedding, a virtual wedding certificate will be issued electronically, your marriage will be filed with the state, and a hard copy will be mailed to you within 2-10 business days.
That’s it. Seamless, simple, and legal everywhere!
What Is an Apostille—And Do You Need One?
What is an Apostille? It’s a way for documents like marriage licenses to be proved real, so governments could reduce the time taken to authenticate documents. It confirms that the document, its signatory, and the seal are all genuine.
How it works: To have your marriage certificate legally recognized in over 123+ countries, after paying for your wedding, you can pay the additional fee for an Apostille.
This is particularly important if you are not U.S. citizens and want to have your marriage legally recognized in your home country.
Select the Apostille for your country and then submit the documents to a local embassy or government office to get official recognition in your country.
Is an Online Wedding Right for You?
So, who benefits the most from online weddings?
Online weddings are great for:
- Military deployments
- You live in different countries or states
- You want to avoid wedding planning stress
- A desire for a wedding that is intimate and personal
- Eloping
- Destination weddings
- Same sex weddings
- Immigration situations
- You are looking for significant cost savings
- Challenging family dynamics
- Desire for an unconventional experience
- Focus on the relationship
- Flexibility and spontaneity
- A desire for a private event between the two people
- Avoid family objections
Honestly, it’s great for anyone who wants to experience a different kind of wedding without the stress and expense of a traditional wedding. When you get married online, saying, “I Do” becomes all about YOU as a couple.
Real life love stories…
Hundreds of people get married online every month. Here are some of our love stories:
“Super easy and hassle-free way to marry the girl of my dreams! Our company was with us every step of the way, and there was no confusion or worry that things weren’t in order. I highly recommend this service to anyone looking for a virtual wedding!”
James Garner got married online in October 2023
“My partner was in Brazil, and I was in the U.S., and visa delays kept us apart for over a year. We didn’t want to wait any longer, so we found a virtual wedding service. The process was smooth, legal, and surprisingly emotional. We both cried during the ceremony, and now we are officially married, even while we’re apart.”
Camila & Jordan married 2024
“My marriage was so romantic! It was a day I will always remember, and such a simple process for such a beautiful ceremony! Everything was taken care of, and the officiant was so sweet!”
Tips for planning a meaningful virtual ceremony
There are so many ways to say, “I Do,” and a virtual wedding can be just as beautiful as a traditional wedding. Here are some of our favorite tips to make your day special when you get married online:
- Write your own wedding vows for a deeply personal touch.
- Include family traditions.
- Ask a friend or family member to do a special reading.
- Incorporate a ceremony like a sand ceremony or candle lighting. Be creative.
- Have guests write messages to include in a time capsule to be opened on your first anniversary.
- Select a signature cocktail and share the recipe with all your guests, inviting them to make and toast to you on your special day.
- Design a virtual guest book.
- Create themed backgrounds for your wedding ceremony.
- Have guests share memories and photos of the couple online.
- Send a wedding invitation that features a QR code, allowing guests to connect directly to your wedding livestream.
- Pop champagne to celebrate the end of the ceremony.
No matter where life or love takes you, there’s more than one way to say “I do.” For couples craving something simpler, more intentional, and completely their own, the choice to get married online isn’t just possible—it’s powerful.
