American Weddings Blog

It’s been more than half a century since we put a man on the moon, but in some parts of the US, same-sex and interracial couples are still routinely discriminated against. It’s also un-American.  That’s why months after getting ordained by American Marriage Ministries, Tim Hooker found himself in demand to officiate weddings for couples that were turned away by mainstream churches in his area. 

I visited Tim earlier this year to talk about his experiences. Driving into Cleveland Tennessee, the first thing I noticed was that there were a lot of churches. It seemed like there was one on every corner, but they weren’t of much use to same-sex or interracial couples looking to tie the knot.

“In Southern Appalachia, the ministers probably weren’t going to do it,” Tim said. 

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Hi Raquel! Tell us about yourself:

I live in Queens, New York, with my wife. I'm an office manager for a private investigation firm and I also run my own handmade business, Máquina 37. My company is named after my 1937 singer sewing machine, which I use to make custom look-alike cloth dolls and other sewn products.

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If you’re looking to make a statement, or just want that something “extra” to really define who you are and what your role is - there will be no mistaking you as anyone but the officiant when you wear an AMM stole!

Embroidered with our iconic joined rings and three stars, this high quality satin garment fuses AMM’s eye-catching design with Byzantine splendor, for an ornamental garment unlike any other on the market.

Designed to rest comfortably on your shoulders with rounded edging, our Wedding Officiant Stoles are for Ministers that want to draw attention to the importance of their role.

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Here’s why it matters where you get ordained, and what your responsibilities are as a wedding minister.

Asking a friend or family member to officiate has become as common as picking bridesmaids. But even with millions of Americans getting ordained to perform weddings, most folk don’t really know what ordination means. Too often, they say “yes” without realizing what they are signing up for. 

Let’s talk about what ordination really is, and what your responsibilities are as a wedding minister. But before we get into the details, I want to remind you that we’ve made getting ordained free and easy for a reason – it’s a rewarding and transformative experience that lets you celebrate love and build community. That’s what matters in life, and as they say, the best things in life are free. 

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Have you been asked to officiate, and even though you’re excited, you’re not sure where to start?

Or – are you embarking on a new passion or career path in performing weddings, and looking for an all-in-one inclusive guide?

Fear not! Asked to Officiate – one of our most popular resources – is here to help.

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