Short and Sweet Wedding Ceremonies

Mr. Ron Velez is the CEO of iCertify Services and a Florida notary and wedding officiant. He has been an ordained Reverend with the Universal Life Church since 1996. Mr. Velez has conducted short and sweet wedding ceremonies for many years and enjoys working with couples to create their special day.

• You must apply for a marriage license at any county clerk office in Florida or online.
• Your marriage license application should be completed at least 3 days before the ceremony.
• An approved marriage license is valid for 60 days from the county’s approval date.
• Please monitor your license dates. The officiant will not sign the marriage license if it is outside the required Florida timelines (you will not be legally married and ceremony fees are non-refundable).
• Click here for the application process and requirements in Broward County.

• Officiant for your wedding ceremony (primarily in Broward County; travel to nearby counties available upon request).
• Sign the marriage license and file it with the issuing county.
• Assistance with Planning
  We can assist with planning the wedding ceremony.
  We are not wedding planners but can help you find one if needed.

• Pick a location for your ceremony. We can officiate ceremonies throughout most of Broward County (and nearby counties if requested).
• The ceremony is generally 15 minutes (you must bring the marriage license and meet all requirements).
• Standard ceremony elements (we will review these during our initial call):
  • Processional (optional)
  • Opening reading (Welcome)
  • Consent (“I do”)
  • Exchange of Vows and Rings
    Vows can be standard (officiant prompts and you repeat) or self‑written and spoken to each other.
    Rings are optional.
  • Closing reading or a small cultural element (optional)
  • Pronouncement of the newly married couple and first kiss
  • Recessional (optional)
• More extensive customizations can be accommodated for an additional fee.

• Marriage license is signed by participants (witness signatures are optional but recommended).
• Officiant signs the marriage license.
• iCertify Services mails the signed license back to the issuing county.
• The county mails a certified copy of the license to the address indicated on your application.
• Final payment is due at the time of signing.

Yes, you can get married on the beach in Broward County, FL.

Do I need a permit?

Restrictions vary depending on which beaches you choose for your beach ceremony.

The City of Fort Lauderdale does not require a permit to have a wedding ceremony on their public beaches.

Please follow the links below to get more information on other municipalities that do require a beach permit.

• Dania Beach
• Deerfield Beach
• Fort Lauderdale (no permit required)
• Hollywood
• Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
• Pompano Beach

In Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, there are various paid and free options for outdoor venues.

• Fort Lauderdale Outdoor Wedding Venues
• Broward County Outdoor Wedding Venues
• Hugh Taylor Birch State Park at Fort Lauderdale Beach

• Eventective (Search Event Venues & Vendors around Fort Lauderdale, FL)
• Visit Lauderdale
• If you would like to be included on our list of resources, please email your name and link for consideration to: shortsweetweddings@outlook.com

• Visit Lauderdale (Official visitors site for the City of Fort Lauderdale)
• Eventective
• The Officiant Directory