574 "News" Category Articles Page 14

The Anonymous Officiant #8: A special guest dropped in on this Australian couple's gravity-defying Grand Canyon wedding in Arizona -- a rare, endangered California Condor! Read about the dizzying heights, incredible views, and unexpected excitement of these national park nuptials, in this installment of American Marriage Ministries’ new candid column about real weddings and real officiants.

Legislation to raise Connecticut’s legal marriage age to 18 years old has passed the House and Senate, and is on its way to Gov. Ned Lamont’s desk for final approval. Learn more about this ban on child marriage in CT, and what wedding officiants in the state should know about the changing law. (House Bill 6569 / HB06569 2023)

Lawmakers in Maine passed legislation this week to prohibit the marriage of minors and raise the legal age to apply for a marriage license to 18 years old. The bill now heads to Gov. Mills for approval. Learn how LD 443 will amend the current law by removing provisions that allow 16 and 17 year olds to marry with parental permission, and if the change will impact American Marriage Ministries Ministers in Maine.

Unique vow booklets to help you write your own vows and deliver them in style! These vow books contain questions & prompts to inspire you, plus suggestions & examples to organize your words into heartfelt vows in time for the wedding day. Two designs and color themes to choose from, making these sweet vow journals perfect for any wedding or elopement.

The Anonymous Officiant #7: Who's got the rings? When the Best Man misplaces the wedding rings before the ceremony things gets interesting... Learn how a quick-thinking officiant and a well-stocked open bar saves the wedding day (and the Groom's sanity) in this installment of American Marriage Ministries’ new candid column about real weddings and real officiants.

Learn about legislation in Wisconsin that would remove the 6 month mandatory waiting period between divorce and remarriage -- allowing couples to apply for their marriage license and remarry immediately after their divorce judgment is granted. (Senate Bill 288 / WI SB288 2023 / Senators Joan Ballweg, Mary Felzkowski,  Kelda Roys, and Lena Taylor.)

Attention Chicago Wedding Officiants: Meet the speakers for our June, 2023 Education and Networking seminar! This fun and informative event features 5 AMM Ministers and professional officiants, with expert advice on how to start an officiant business, attract the couples you want to marry, marketing tips, unity ceremony and vows, how to create an LGBTQ+ inclusive wedding ceremony, and more. This event is open to all wedding officiants!

Learn about current efforts in Michigan to raise the minimum age requirement to marry: House Bill 4293 would eliminate exceptions for the marriage of minors, banning all child marriages in the state. (MI HB4293 / Rep. Kara Hope)

New Hampshire Governor Sununu signed 'The Marital Freedom Act' on May 4th, 2023, codifying protections for interracial marriage in the state. Learn about the passage of this important legislation, and why other states have passed or introduced similar legislation this year to protect marriage equality at a state level. (NH House Bill 240 / HB240)

Join American Marriage Ministries for a day of wedding officiant education and networking on June 14th, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois! This seminar includes expert speakers and training on how to be an incredible wedding officiant and build a successful small business, networking and strategy, marketing, unity ceremonies, inclusivity and working with LGBTQ+ couples, and community building for officiants in the Chicago metro area and beyond. Tickets are available now on Eventbrite.

The Anonymous Officiant #6: A sweet story about a bride and her beagle... Plus EXCELLENT advice from an experienced officiant about how and when to include your dog, cat, or another pet in a wedding ceremony -- in this installment of American Marriage Ministries’ new candid column about real weddings and officiants: The Anonymous Officiant.

Learn about legislative efforts in Rhode Island that would change the state's marriage license return period, and make it easier for a marriage officiant to return a completed license by mail -- such that a license mailed and postmarked within the return period would be considered on-time. (2023 House Bill 5443 / H5443 / Rep. Edith H. Ajello)

The Anonymous Officiant #5 : Sage advice for newlyweds from an experienced wedding officiant! This minister reminds couples to use their wedding gifts after their married, and to treat every day life brings as a gift -- in this installment of American Marriage Ministries’ new candid column about real weddings and officiants: The Anonymous Officiant.

Will Minnesota lawmakers vote to allow notary publics to officiate weddings in the state? Learn about current legislation to add notaries and certain elected officials to the list of people authorized to solemnize a civil marriage ceremony or wedding in Minnesota. ( MN HF1826 2023 ; Rep. Ginny Klevorn )

Beginning July 1, 2023, individuals must be at least 18 years old to marry in Vermont, with no exceptions. Gov. Phil Scott signed the 'Act to Ban Child Marriage' into law on April 20, making it illegal for all minors to get married in the state. (VT HB148 2023 ; Rep Carol Ode )