Wedding Officiant in Chester, VA
Chester is home base for me. I'm Vanessa Terry, a Virginia marriage celebrant based right here in Chester, and I marry couples all over Chesterfield County — at home, in backyards and gardens, at Pocahontas State Park, and everywhere in between. Whether you want a simple $150 paperwork wedding or a custom ceremony written for the two of you, you start with an officiant who already knows your town.
For your marriage license, the Chesterfield County Circuit Court clerk's office at Chesterfield Courthouse is the convenient local stop. You can also use any other Virginia circuit court. Once your license is in hand, I can help with the legal officiant portion or a ceremony planned around you.
Chester weddings, close to home
Chester gives you room to make the wedding your own: a backyard ceremony with your favorite people, a quiet exchange of vows at home, or a small celebration at a nearby venue. I work across Chester and Chesterfield County, so your plans do not have to fit a ballroom or a traditional timeline.
Pocahontas State Park is a familiar choice for couples who want an outdoor setting. Reserve the space you need directly with the park and confirm its current rules before setting your ceremony time. If you are planning around a courthouse license appointment, leave enough time to have the issued license in hand before you meet with me.
Two ways to get married in Chester
- The $150 Paperwork Wedding for the authorized officiant portion, license review and required documentation, without a customized traditional ceremony
- A custom ceremony written around your story, vows, guests and setting, quoted from your ceremony intake details
- An elopement or micro-wedding at a Chester-area home, backyard, garden, venue or Pocahontas State Park
Your Virginia marriage license
Whatever kind of wedding you're having in Chester, you are responsible for obtaining a valid Virginia marriage license from a Virginia circuit court clerk's office before the marriage is performed. Both applicants must be at least 18 and present valid photo ID, there is no residency requirement, and the license authorizes a marriage for 60 days from the date of issuance. The marriage must take place in Virginia. After the ceremony the officiant certifies the facts of the marriage and files the record with the issuing office within five days. Confirm current fees, hours and appointment requirements with the clerk's office you plan to use.
Getting married in Chester?
Tell me which kind of wedding you're having and I'll take it from there.