Articles by Jessica Levey

American Marriage Ministries is headed to to Phoenix, Arizona, for a day of wedding officiant focused education, conversation, and networking! This Officiant Accelerator event will include presentations from expert officiants Cherise Klosner, Jimmie Berguin, Bethel Nathan, and AMM Executive Director Lewis King. See you September 20th, 2023!

Learn 5 simple ways to be kind and put kindness at the center of your wedding officiant business. Whether you're officiating for a friend or relatives, working with LGBTQ+ couples and others who face discrimination within the wedding industry, or you just want to deepen your connection with your clients or congregation, these suggestions will help you meet others will kindness and compassion.

American Marriage Ministries is proud to announce Officiant Accelerator, a new nationwide series of wedding officiant training and networking seminars, presented in partnership with the International Association of Professional Wedding Officiants (IAPWO). Learn about this exciting new program, what you can expect at each event, our continuing mission to support AMM Ministers, and how to buy tickets for an event near you!

Colorado legislators extend provisions for online marriage license appointments, will allow couples to meet with county clerk or recorder online via audio-video technology indefinitely. Updated law also includes guidelines for training of county staff by the human trafficking council every year. (House Bill 1278 / HB23-1278)

Meet expert Celebrant Christopher Shelley! Chris uses the act of storytelling to write compelling and personal wedding ceremonies, and is a master at keeping wedding guests entertained and putting couples at ease! Christopher will be speaking at AMM's Officiant ACCELERATOR event in New York City this August, along with a panel of experienced wedding officiants.

Access to non-denominational online ordination for Pagan wedding officiants is essential! Modern denominations like Wicca, Druidry, Heathenry choose online ordination to meet the legal requirements for handfasting, weddings & other marriage rites

Learn more about H.R. 4602, and how this legislation would help to protect marriage equality for LGBTQ+ couples at the federal level. The ‘Amend the Code for Marriage Equality Act of 2023,' would remove gendered words like 'wife' and 'husband' from multiple federal marriage laws. This legislation was introduced by U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley, D-California.

Ready for some wedding whoopie? Learn about the bedding ceremony in Medieval Europe, recent examples of public consummation ceremonies, and why we think this sexy wedding day ritual might make a comeback. We'll cover the symbolism and legal meaning, stocking tossing, a benediction posset recipe, Priests at the nuptial bed, eavesdropping guests, royal rumors, and Game of Thrones… From the Middle Ages to the modern marriage ceremony, this one's all about nuptial nookie!

Learn about amendments to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act that strengthen protections for marriage equality in the state. Three laws have been repealed, which previously prevented out-of-state interracial and same-sex couples from traveling to Illinois to marry there, ensuring the state remains a safe haven for interracial and LGBTQ+ couples. (HB 1591 / 2023)

A step-by-step guide to help you plan a wedding and get married in West Virginia - including how to find a wedding officiant, choose the best wedding venue, plan your ceremony, and how to apply for and return your West Virginia marriage license.

A step-by-step guide to help you plan a wedding and get married in Virginia - including how to find a wedding officiant, choose the best wedding venue, plan your ceremony, and how to apply for and return your Virginia marriage license.

Learn about the fee increase for Marriage Performers in Hawaii, including all ordained religious officiants and judicial officiants. Effective July, 2023, all wedding officiants are required to pay $100 per year for a standard license or $25 per 60 day period for a short-term license to solemnize marriage in Hawaii. Asked to officiate a wedding in Hawaii? Here's what to know! (2023 HI SB1370 / HB1072 / Kouchi)