American Weddings Blog

Wedding officiants devote countless hours to thoughtfully crafting the perfect wedding ceremony. They strive to tell meaningful stories of love and commitment, and they pour their own hearts and souls into the wedding ceremonies they perform.

Yet they tend to be the last vendors to get booked, and some of the least appreciated at the end of the big day. (Because they just have to ask the couple say to “I do,” then sign the license to get onto the partying, right?)

In an effort to recognize how significant – and involved – the role of the wedding officiant is, we'd like to share with everyone what an officiant really does.

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After years of preventing online-ordained ministers (and many other Virginians) from officiating weddings, lawmakers in Virginia might soon allow regular folk to officiate weddings for friends and family members. This development is part of an update to the Commonwealth’s marriage law currently making its way through Virginia’s legislature.
 
If passed, the law would make it much easier for American Marriage Ministries' (AMM) Ministers to officiate weddings in Virginia. It would also represent a step towards marriage equality in a place where county clerks routinely prevent ministers from registering as wedding officiants.
 
Here’s a summary of 2020 Virginia House Bill No. 863:...(continued)

Lawmakers in New Jersey have proposed an amendment regarding marriage by proxy. But don’t worry – this revision will be a good one!

Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Ronald Dancer includes an update to current New Jersey marriage law, which could soon "authorize persons serving overseas in military to be married or enter into civil union by video conference or other electronic means.”

What does this mean, exactly?

First of all, this general scenario – when one or more persons getting married is not present – is called a marriage by proxy....(continued)

An online petition titled “Stop Ordination of Female Episcopalian ‘Bishop’ at Catholic Church” is making its way around the internet in an effort to prevent a Catholic Church in Richmond, Virginia from consecrating Rev. Susan B. Haynes as the new bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia.
 
Petitioners argue that ordaining a woman is against the rules. They say the Catholic Church doesn’t recognize Anglican ordinations, and that this isn’t legit. However, Bishop Barry Knestout, who supports the ordination, has responded to criticism by saying that it is an “offer of hospitality to a Christian neighbor in need.”
 
If you’re wondering why we’re talking about this here on our blog, then keep on reading because here at American Marriage Ministries, we have...(continued)

Our very own Lewis King recently joined the Your I Do Crew! Podcast in Ohio for some engaging, humorous, and insightful podcast sessions.

So save these links, and whether you're on your commute to/from work, enjoying a mid-day break, or just looking to join in on some of the important conversations going on at American Marriage Ministries -- please give them a listen! 

Part 1: "Get Ordained!"

All about online ordination, why American Marriage Ministries is different, and what's going on in the state of Tennessee

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