Most first-time wedding officiants find themselves asking, "what pieces or parts are necessary in a wedding ceremony, and what else can be added to make the ceremony special?"  

You’ve probably seen hundreds of wedding ceremonies by now -- both in the real world and on television -- including some that you remember years later. 

What’s the secret? 

Well, there isn’t a “secret” because every couple is different, and their ceremony needs to be approached with fresh eyes. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a formula though. Don’t worry, we’ve got it down to a science, so here’s what you need to know to start with, and we’ll be with you right up to the ceremony: ...(continued)

Whether your family reminds you of the Gallaghers from the TV show Shameless, or your family is a living breathing Hallmark Card, family dynamics - even good ones - can be a stressful part of wedding ceremony planning. The good news: there’s almost always a compromise that will leave the couple happy with their ceremony and keep the family involved. Below, we offer up a few rules and tips to achieve this. Truthfully, though, when it comes to family dynamics, there isn’t always a “right answer,” and sometimes, it’s just best to compromise. When faced with those choices, consider these pointers...

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“No couple who has been married for 50 years ever looks back on their wedding and talks about the table linens.” 

That’s what Eleni Gage told us when we spoke to her about her new book, Lucky in Love: Traditions, Customs, and Rituals to Personalize Your Wedding. While there are hundreds of books that assist couples in the planning process of a wedding, this one aims to help with those magic elements that makes a ceremony meaningful. ...(continued)

You know what’s even better than writing articles about getting ordained online and performing wedding ceremonies for friends and family? It’s having someone else do it. Especially when they are great storytellers and writers, like Catrina Bruns of the Cascade Pioneer! 

In an article titled “Licensed to Wed!” Catrina told the story of Kerra Boriskey, a bride who worked closely with her sister Morgan to plan a destination wedding in Florida. The problem was, they couldn’t find a minister that suited their requirements. 

That’s when the topic of American Marriage Ministries and online ordination came up. ...(continued)

There’s a reason that politicians use teleprompters whenever the TV cameras are on: nobody wants their view obstructed by an unsightly piece of technology, or script, or anything else that detracts from the image. The same rule applies to weddings, and the last thing your photographer wants is an industrial-sized microphone blocking his or her view. 

That’s why a lot of couples opt for something a little different… but this is really a technology question, so what’s the right fit for you?

The question of whether to use a microphone and if so, what type of microphone comes up often in the discussion of wedding ceremony logistics.  Whether you or the couple making the arrangements for the microphone, or it’s the friend or family member who has been asked to perform the ceremony who is in charge of figuring out the sound system, here are the standard options and our thoughts in regards to each....(continued)