Which AMM Minister Ordination Package or Training Course is Best for You?

Which AMM minister ordination package or officiant training class is right for you? Choose the best value for your needs and budget with this simple comparison tool. 

 

Welcome! If you’re here, you’re probably trying to decide which AMM Minister Ordination Package to buy, whether it’s worth the price, and if you should add a training class into the mix. 

 

To help you decide, we’ve created a simple comparison tool based on your budget and the reason you're getting ordained. 

 

Keep in mind that ordination with AMM is recognized in every state* (it's much harder in Virginia, where we're looking into our options), and all of the packages covered here come with your official minister credentials. So you can’t make a bad choice… no matter which one you buy. That said, different packages and products have different perks. 

 

American Marriage Ministries is a federally-recognized nonprofit nondenominational church. (We’re legit: See our credentials here.) We provide free online ordination, training, and advocacy for people all over the country. With more than one million ordained ministers, we’re lucky to have a diverse congregation with diverse needs. 

 

To choose the best ordination package for your needs, it’s important to figure out what you want to do with your ordination, and go from there! 

 

Choose a package based on your needs: 
What do you want to do as an ordained minister? 

 

Read our recommendations for each option below. 

 

 

1. Officiate one or two weddings for friends

2. Become a professional officiant and start a business
 

3. Improve an existing officiant business
 

4. Perform funerals, blessings, and other ceremonies
 

5. Support AMM’s environmental and marriage advocacy work

 

 

 

 

Option 1: 

 

I want to officiate one or two weddings for friends and relatives. 

 

Most of our ministers get ordained online so that they can officiate one or two wedding ceremonies for a friend or relative. This is one of the greatest benefits of ordination with AMM – being an integral part of the biggest day of a friend’s life! 

 

In some states, ordination is all that’s required to officiate a wedding. Ordination with AMM is free, and you can start the process here. Then, use our free online training tools to perfect your technique. 

 

In other states, you’ll need to register official minister paperwork with your county after getting ordained before you can officiate. In this case, we recommend you order one of our Minister Ordination Packages to make sure the marriage ceremony is legal.

 

These packages come with all the legal documentation you need for minister registration, including a letter of good standing, your ordination certificate, and other documents you’ll need to register in your state. 

 

• Check here to see if minister registration is required in your state. 

 

 

Want to officiate your first wedding ceremony?
What to buy: 

 

 

• Free: Get ordained here 

• Free: Online Wedding Officiant Training

• Optional: ‘Asked to Officiate’ step by step officiant workbook ($30)

• Optional: ‘Handfasting’ illustrated how-to book for handfasting ceremonies ($15)

• If required: Minister Credentials (Order credentials as part of the package below for a better value)

 

• Recommended: Standard Minister Ordination Package ($49)

This package comes with :

 

• "Getting Started" information kit
• AMM Minister’s Manual
• Ordination Certificate
• Letter of Good Standing
• Certificate Holder
• Minister Licensing Instructions for your state
• Minister Licensing Application Materials for your state
• Government Registration Guarantee

 

The AMM Standard Minister Ordination Package6

 

Option 2 

I want to become a professional wedding officiant and start a business.

 

 

Some people catch the ‘officiant bug’ after their first ceremony and decide they love officiating! These ministers become professional wedding officiants and marry hundreds of couples. Others know they want to start a business from the beginning, either as a part time side-hustle or a fulltime dream job. 

 

If you know you want to go pro, here’s what we recommend! 

 

 

Want to be a pro wedding officiant?
What to buy: 

 

 

• Free: Get ordained here 

• If required: Minister Credentials (Order credentials as part of the package below for a better value)

 

• Recommended: Signature Wedding Officiant Package ($99)

This package comes with :

• "Getting Started" information kit
• AMM Minister’s Manual
• Ordination Certificate
• Letter of Good Standing
• Certificate Holder
• Minister Licensing Instructions for your state
• Minister Licensing Application Materials for your state
• Government Registration Guarantee
• Embroidered AMM Satin Wedding Officiant Stole
• Asked to Officiate, Ceremony Writing and Delivery Guide Book
• Screen Printed Canvas AMM Minister’s Tote Bag
• Gold Embossed Presidential™ Custom Pen
• AMM Lapel pin struck from jeweler's metal, with hard enamel colors and nickel finish

 

• Optional: ‘Handfasting’ illustrated how-to book for handfasting ceremonies ($15)

 

• Recommended: AMM’s Professional Wedding Officiant Course ($145)

 

About this course: This affordable self-paced course is 8 units long with dozens of videos and quizzes to help you master the art of officiating. It takes about 7 - 14 hours to complete. We cover ceremony basics, working with the couple, writing the ceremony, revising the script, preparing and rehearsing, delivering the script, the marriage license, and growing your officiant business.

 

 

• Recommended: Officiant Accelerator Seminar Series (approx $45)

 

About this course: This unique one-day seminar includes expert speakers, discussion panels, Q&A, demonstrations, and networking with local wedding officiants in a city near you! We're visiting popular cities across the US as part of a multi-year seminar series to educate, engage, and elevate the role of officiant. Brought to you by AMM in partnership with International Association of Professional Wedding Officiants (IAPWO). Visit the Officiant Accelerator website to find out when we're in your city! 

 

 

The AMM Signature Wedding Officiant Package &

AMM's Professional Wedding Officiant Course are must-haves for pro officiants

 

 

Option 3

 
I want to improve or expand my existing wedding officiant business. 

 

Congratulations! Your hard work is paying off, and it’s time to kick things into gear so that you can help even more couples say “I do” this year.

 

 

Want to take your business up a notch? 
What to buy: 

 

 

• Recommended: AMM’s Professional Wedding Officiant Course ($145)

 

About this course: This affordable self-paced course is 8 units long with dozens of videos and quizzes to help you master the art of officiating. It takes about 7 - 14 hours to complete. It covers ceremony basics, working with the couple, writing the ceremony, revising the script, preparing and rehearsing, delivering the script, the marriage license, and growing your officiant business.

 

 

• Recommended: Elevate by Bethel’s Business of Officiating Course ($249)

 

About this course: If you need lessons focused on the behind-the-scenes business side of things, this self-paced course is an excellent choice. It takes about 9 hours to complete. Bethel covers business essentials, marketing, business relationships and referrals, reviews, creating and improving your website, social media essentials, handling communications (email, meetings, etc), and pre and post wedding day business. 

 

• Recommended: Officiant Accelerator Seminar Series (approx $45)

 

About this course: This unique one-day seminar includes expert speakers, discussion panels, Q&A, demonstrations, and networking with local wedding officiants in a city near you! We're visiting popular cities across the US as part of a multi-year seminar series to educate, engage, and elevate the role of officiant. Brought to you by AMM in partnership with International Association of Professional Wedding Officiants (IAPWO). Visit the Officiant Accelerator website to find out when we're in your city! 

 

 

Two great choices for professional officiants: AMM's Pro Wedding Officiant Course

and Elevate by Bethel's Business of Officiating Course

 

 

Option 4

I want to perform funerals, blessings, and other religious or spiritual ceremonies. 

 

Many of our ministers choose to perform funerals and memorial ceremonies, baptisms, baby blessings, quinceañeras, name change ceremonies, house blessings, and other important rituals – deepening their role and relationship within their communities.  

 

Ordination isn’t required to perform these types of services – only marriage rites have a legal component. However, ordination can help set you apart from other practitioners and prepare you for various roles. Plus, it’s free! 

 

 

Want to perform funerals and other rites? 
What to buy: 

 

 

• Free: Get ordained here

• Free: Articles on conducting funerals and memorial services

• Free: Articles on conducting baptisms 

• Free: Articles on performing other rites like blessings, wiccanings, name changes, and more

• Free: Browse the Blog 

AMM Ministers officiate all types of ceremonies & rituals for their congregations

 

 

Option 5

I want to support AMM’s environmental and marriage advocacy work

 

Not all AMM Ministers want to officiate weddings and other rites, or just haven’t had a chance to yet. Some people get ordained as a ‘bucket list’ item or just for fun… and end up doing more good than they ever imagined by supporting an inclusive, interfaith church. 

 

Others get ordained with AMM to support our charitable works and advocacy efforts. As a 503(c)(1) organization, AMM donates regularly to groups providing environmental stewardship, combating climate change, encouraging racial equity, and making a positive impact in the lives of others. As advocates, we continue working toward equal marriage access for all couples and raising awareness of barriers faced by LGBTQ+ couples, interfaith couples, interracial couples, couples with disabilities, and others.

 

Your ordination helps support our efforts through community building, visibility, word of mouth, and donations. 

 

 

Want to get involved? 
What to buy :

 

• Free: Get ordained online 

• Learn about our charitable activities

• Get involved with AMM advocacy

• Invite a friend to get ordained

• Donate here ($3 , $5, $12, $25)

 

 

Get involved with AMM

 

...

 

 

See more minister products & packages in the AMM Store.

 

Choose from a large variety of wedding planning guides, decorative marriage certificates, minister credentials, officiant apparel, and more. Shop online.

 

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You might also like: 

 

• Lucky in Love: AMM Minister writes groundbreaking book about wedding traditions and customs
   
• How to Officiate a Wedding For the First Time
   

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