Wed By Jaco & Team is more than one Marriage Officer.
Over many years we have built relationships with experienced Marriage Officers in different parts of South Africa.
The Marriage Officers presented here are carefully selected people with whom we have established relationships of trust and professional cooperation.
The network includes Wed By Jaco & Team’s lead Marriage Officer as well as independently operating Marriage Officers who form part of the wider team.
When you enquire about one of our Marriage Officers, your enquiry is first received by Wed By Jaco & Team so that we can assist with availability, requirements and the appropriate next steps.
Dr Jaco Venter is the founder and lead Marriage Officer of Wed By Jaco & Team, based in Pretoria, Gauteng. He has served couples and families through weddings and pastoral ministry for more than three decades and has built the Wed By Jaco & Team network since 2001.
He conducts personal Christian and non-religious wedding ceremonies in Afrikaans and English and attends to the required legal marriage formalities under the Marriage Act 25 of 1961.
His approach is calm, practical and people-centred. He works with each couple to create a concise, meaningful ceremony that reflects their relationship while keeping the documentation and registration process clear.
Jaco is an ordained pastor and a South African National Defence Force Reserve Force Chaplain. He also assists families with baby dedications, funerals and memorial services, and offers wedding MC and DJ services by arrangement.
Qualifications & experience
Designated Marriage Officer under the Marriage Act 25 of 1961
Doctor of Theology (honoris causa)
Bachelor of Theology
Diploma in Theology, AGS Theological College (1988)
Counselling certificate, Oase
He was appointed as a Marriage Officer in 1991 and has served as a SANDF Reserve Force Chaplain since 2012.
Dr Hennie Swanepoel is an experienced Marriage Officer based in Bellville in the Western Cape, offering both Christian and non-religious wedding ceremonies, as well as the legal marriage formalities.
For Hennie, a wedding ceremony is much more than simply completing the legal requirements. Personal contact and building a genuine relationship with each couple are important to him.
He takes time to understand the couple and adapts the ceremony according to their needs, preferences and the character of their wedding.
Hennie has been conducting weddings for many years and brings extensive pastoral, academic and counselling experience to his work with couples.
Qualifications & experience
BA Languages
Honours Psychology
BD Theology
MA and PhD Sociology/Counselling, with a focus on Marriage and Family Counselling
He also offers premarital counselling for couples who would like additional preparation and support before their wedding.
What couples say about Hennie
His warmth, wisdom, and genuine care for us as a couple were evident throughout the entire process. The ceremony was beautifully presented, heartfelt, and deeply meaningful, perfectly reflecting our love and commitment to one another. Many of our guests commented on how personal and touching the ceremony was.
Hennie has a wonderful ability to connect with people and create an atmosphere of love, faith, and joy. He played such an important role in making our wedding day unforgettable.
Pastor Gideon La Grange is a licensed Marriage Officer based in Pretoria and forms part of the wider Wed By Jaco & Team network.
He assists couples with Christian wedding ceremonies and the required legal marriage formalities in a calm, personal and professional manner.
Couples interested in Gideon’s services can enquire through Wed By Jaco & Team so that we can assist with availability, requirements and the next steps.
Qualifications & experience
Licensed Marriage Officer
Experienced pastor and wedding officiant
Gideon serves couples in Pretoria and surrounding areas through LG REROUTE.
LanguagesPrimarily Afrikaans; English also available
Neels Marais has been a registered Marriage Officer for 27 years. It is a privilege for him to help couples take this important step in their lives in a dignified and Christian manner.
He offers Christian legal marriage ceremonies from his office in Mossel Bay and serves couples throughout the Garden Route area.
Drawing on 27 years of experience, Neels approaches every marriage solemnisation in a personal, simple and meaningful way.
Qualifications & experience
Registered Marriage Officer with 27 years of experience
Neels offers office weddings only. Couples may contact him directly for more information or to arrange an appointment.
Your enquiry will first be received by Wed By Jaco & Team. We will assist with availability, requirements and the appropriate next steps before referring it to your selected Marriage Officer where applicable.
