PART 4. MARRIAGE CEREMONY.
§48-2-401. Persons authorized to perform marriages.
A religious representative who has complied with the
provisions of section 2-402, a family court judge, a circuit judge
or a justice of the supreme court of appeals, is authorized to
celebrate the rites of marriage in any county of this state.
Celebration or solemnization of a marriage means the performance of
the formal act or ceremony by which a man and woman contract
marriage and assume the status of husband and wife.
For purposes of this chapter, the term "religious
representative" means a minister, priest or rabbi and includes,
without being limited to, a leader or representative of a generally
recognized spiritual assembly, church or religious organization
which does not formally designate or recognize persons as
ministers, priests or rabbis.