American Weddings Blog

Just when you thought they couldn’t go any lower, a group of Tennessee lawmakers introduced yet another bill that aims to strip non-traditional couples of their constitutional right to marriage and equal treatment under the law. 

But this time around, two Republican lawmakers Janice Bowling and John Ragan are coming at it from a different angle – arguing that supporting same-sex marriage is a violation of the First Amendment's establishment clause which prohibits the government from "respecting an establishment of religion." ...(continued)

Are you wondering what’s happening with the legal challenges to a law that prohibits ministers ordained online from officiating weddings in Tennessee? Here are the latest updates, and everything you need to know to be allowed to perform weddings in the state. But before we dig into the details, the bottom line is this: 

You can still perform weddings in Tennessee if you got ordained online.  

We’ve heard that some county clerks in Tennessee are turning ministers away because they got ordained online. While these reports are isolated, it is important to remember that you are still legally allowed to perform weddings in Tennessee, even if you were ordained online. It's also important to remember that the law here is clear, and that the weddings are legally valid. ...(continued)

Early Monday morning your fearless AMM representatives drove from Nashville to Memphis, TN, where we were greeted with blue skies and mild weather. It was a great day for outdoor ordination!

When we arrived at Shelby Farms Park to set up, the crowd was already forming. It was our biggest day so far, and on a Monday no less! We met hundreds of ministers and AMM supporters from across the region! Folks had driven in from Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas to prepare for upcoming weddings in the volunteer state.

We heard from all backgrounds and beliefs; Agnostics, Christians, Wiccans, all united in defense of religious freedom and opposition to Public Chapter No. 415. Public outrage is growing, and at every stop we make, the crowds get larger. Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Legislature, can you hear the voice of the public yet?

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“I’ve looked high and low and I can’t find a place that teaches religion like they did back in Chicago,” AMM Minister Collet Johnson told us. At first, that sounds hard to believe. Jackson is in the “buckle of the Bible Belt.” 81 percent of the population identifies as “Christian,” and 75 percent attend church.

“It’s true,” Collet insisted. “I’ve lived here for two decades, and I haven’t found what I’m looking for.” 

She was fine worshiping at home, but when her daughter got engaged, Collet took matters into her own hands and got ordained with AMM to officiate the ceremony. “I wanted my daughters’ marriage to get started on the right foot,” she said....(continued)

Hey folks! We’re checking in from Clarksville TN, where we just wrapped up the first day of our Tennessee Ordination Tour. Now, we’re heading towards Jackson TN to ordain ministers in the Madison County/Southwest Tennessee region. Click here for the dates and locations!...(continued)