I woke up early on the morning of February 22, 2019 and drove to the Hall County Probate Court to see what Frank and Joseph’s wedding might have looked like if this particular office hadn’t decided to stop conducting courthouse wedding ceremonies.
 
The building is situated in the heart of Gainesville’s scenic downtown. I can see right away why the couple I’m about to join in marriage wanted to have their ceremony take place here. It’s solid, historic, and stately. There’s a significance to structures such as this one, bastions of civil society, and - up until a few years ago - popular destinations for courthouse weddings.
 
But that’s not possible any more, and that’s also why American Marriage Ministries’ efforts are still so important.
 
It all started when Frank, an AMM minister himself, emailed us wondering whether there were any AMM ministers in the Gainesville are...(continued)

After years of lobbying by ministers and couples, the Clark County government, which includes Las Vegas, has made it easier for online-ordained ministers to officiate weddings, regardless of religious affiliation. The updated requirements remove the need for officiants to submit proof of their religious affiliation, opening the option up to anyone that completes the appropriate application process, pays the applicable fee(s) and completes the required training. 

While Clark County has recognized American Marriage Ministries ordinations for a decade now, this decision opens the doors to ministers of other religious organizations.

American Marriage Ministries applauds this decision by the Clark County Government, which lowers the barriers to marriage for couples of all stripes. We would also like to thank our ministers and other partners for supporting our efforts, and for working tirelessly to promote marriage equality across the country....(continued)

Republican lawmakers in Tennessee have introduced a bill that prohibits state government officials from facilitating same-sex marriages, undercutting the Fourteenth Amendment, and denying same-sex couples the rights afforded to their heterosexual counterparts. This proposed law is in direct contradiction to AMM’s belief that "everyone has the right to marry the person they love, and that it is the right of the couple to choose who solemnizes their marriage.” 

American Marriage Ministries condemns this latest attempt to marginalize minorities, and stands in solidarity with our LGBTQ allies. ...(continued)

When creating a wedding ceremony, one of the big questions that first-time officiants ask is, "What pieces or parts are absolutely necessary in a wedding ceremony, and what else can be added to make the ceremony special?" 

The answer to this question could be, “whatever the couple wants.” But that still doesn’t give you a starting point, and it’s likely the first time the couple has considered this matter, too. Good ceremonies are like Christmas trees. You start with the bare branches -- those are the required parts -- and you add ornaments that tailor the couple’s ceremony.

...(continued)

Being asked to officiate a wedding is an incredible honor. Full stop. No matter what happens from here on out, no matter how you answer, know that whomever is asking for your help thinks highly of you. Although preparing and delivering the ceremony may seem quite daunting, the fact is that it can be quite enjoyable. 

As always, the more prepared you are, the more fun you’ll have.

As the officiant, you get to celebrate the shared love of people who are close to you. It’s a chance to speak from the heart and tell the guests how awesome the couple is, and how special their love feels. There’s a reason your name came up when the couple needed an officiant, but like all decisions in life, this one should involve some thought. ...(continued)