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Articles by Jessica Levey

Content Manager; Lead Staff Writer & Illustrator
Jessica Levey

Jessica Levey is a writer, illustrator, and content manager at American Marriage Ministries, where she writes about marriage law and wedding industry trends. She holds a degree in Strategic Communications and has a background in trade journalism, with experience in data-informed, people-first reporting, SEO / AEO. She was ordained with AMM in 2020 and is an advocate for marriage equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and individuality. In her personal time, Jessica writes, illustrates, and makes comics and zines independently at hellojesslevey.com.

1337 Articles by Jessica Levey

Check out these 1337 articles written by Jessica Levey, Content Manager; Lead Staff Writer & Illustrator at American Marriage Ministries. The AMM Blog Covers wedding trends for officiants, and more!



Vermont bans the marriage of minors, effective July 1, 2023

Vermont bans the marriage of minors, effective July 1, 2023

Beginning July 1, 2023, individuals must be at least 18 years old to marry in Vermont, with no exceptions. Gov. Phil Scott signed the 'Act to Ban Child Marriage' into law on April 20, making it illegal for all minors to get married in the state. (VT HB148 2023 ; Rep Carol Ode )

Minnesota might add ‘notary public’ to list of qualified marriage officiants

Minnesota might add ‘notary public’ to list of qualified marriage officiants

Will Minnesota lawmakers vote to allow notary publics to officiate weddings in the state? Learn about current legislation to add notaries and certain elected officials to the list of people authorized to solemnize a civil marriage ceremony or wedding in Minnesota. ( MN HF1826 2023 ; Rep. Ginny Klevorn )

close up, wedding officiant blesses hands of couple during wedding

What to Say & Do During a Hands Blessing Wedding Ceremony

A simple, nonreligious hand blessing ceremony script. This blessing is easy to combine with another unity ritual, such as a handfasting or palm reading, to create a personalized and unique ceremony. This variation on a traditional 'Blessing of the Hands' reading includes mindfulness elements, advice for the future, and ends with a popular Irish wedding blessing.

You Don’t Have to Choose Between Planning a Wedding & Buying a House

You Don’t Have to Choose Between Planning a Wedding & Buying a House

This advice will help you get married for less money and without going into debt! You don't have to plan an expensive wedding ceremony or reception to have a good time. Check out these popular resources on how to plan an intimate, inexpensive, memorable, and fun wedding ceremony, including how to find an officiant you can afford.

Would You Officiate a Wedding in a Wiener? (An Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, To Be Exact…)

Would You Officiate a Wedding in a Wiener? (An Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, To Be Exact…)

Oscar Mayer is bringing fun wiener-themed elopement ceremonies to Las Vegas this weekend! Lucky couples will marry with the help of Hotdogger wedding officiants outside the 'Wienermobile of Love' -- parked beside the iconic Little White Chapel. The 'Meat You Down The Aisle' event promises a big serving of puns, hot tunes by the Wiener Whistle Quartet, a hot dog wedding cake, and more.

Un novio y una novia se alejan de la cámara, uno al lado del otro, abrazados en una habitación colorida, con amigos y familiares de pie a cada lado.

¿Qué Edad hay que tener para Oficiar una Boda?

¿Qué edad hay que tener para oficiar una ceremonia matrimonial para amigos y familiares, o para trabajar profesionalmente como oficiante matrimonial? Conozca la edad mínima requerida para oficiar una boda en cada estado, junto con otra información importante sobre la celebración de matrimonios.

Collage made using a Wikicommons image of Salma Hayek and Francios-Henri at the Golden Globes, with a side banner that includes an icon of 2 wedding rings interlinking with a heart, and the words 'wedding ceremony inspo, celebrities who married later in life'

Wedding Ceremony Ideas From Celebrities Who Got Married Later in Life

Sweet wedding ideas from 5 celebrity couples who married later in life: Ask a friend to officiate, celebrate with a backyard elopement, plan an adults-only vacation wedding, and more! Inspiration for older couples, from Cameron Diaz and Benjie Madden; Tika Sumpter and Nicholas James; Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi; Elton John and David Furnish; Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault.

A groomsman drops the wedding cake in a dramatic way, the cake flies off as he trips. The bridesmaids, groomsmen, bride, and groom all watch in shock and dismay

Avoid These 5 Common Wedding Ceremony Regrets (Advice For Couples & Officiants)

Plan the perfect wedding ceremony by avoiding these 5 common wedding regrets, with advice for couples & wedding officiants on what to ask your officiant, the benefits of an unplugged & phone-free ceremony, backups for uncomfortable shoes, budgets and overspending, calming high anxiety, and much more!

Montana lawmakers might abolish common law marriage in 2023

Montana lawmakers might abolish common law marriage in 2023

Learn about Senate Bill 488, which would end recognition of common law marriage in Montana if signed into law. The measure was passed by the state Senate in March, and is scheduled for a second reading in the House this week, April 12th. (2023 MT SB488 / Senate Bill 488 / Sen. Daniel Zolnikov)

Un hombre oficia una ceremonia de boda en un tren de Amtrak mientras los invitados miran.

10 Lugares Únicos e Inusuales para Casarse en EE.UU.

¿Está buscando un lugar único para celebrar su boda? Déjese inspirar por esta lista de 10 lugares inusuales y únicos para casarse, que incluye bodas en un cementerio, un barco pirata, una cueva, un acuario, un museo médico, un aeropuerto, ¡y mucho más! También encontrará enlaces a nuestros guiones gratuitos para ceremonias de boda y consejos sobre cómo hacer que un amigo se ordene en línea para oficiar su ceremonia... ¡para una celebración de boda realmente original!

Can a Wedding Officiant Also be a Witness on a Marriage License?

Can a Wedding Officiant Also be a Witness on a Marriage License?

Do you need a witness to get married and what happens if you forget to bring one? Can a wedding officiant sign the marriage license as a witness? We answer these questions and more to help you prepare for the big day, including other important tips for completing a marriage license or certificate.

SC Lawmaker introduces bill that ‘ignores’ same-sex marriage, adds gendered language to marriage licenses

SC Lawmaker introduces bill that ‘ignores’ same-sex marriage, adds gendered language to marriage licenses

Learn about legislation introduced in South Carolina that would add the gendered terms 'bride' and 'groom' to the state's 'license and certificate of marriage,' and the potential impact on same-sex, same-gender, and other LGBTQ+ couples there. (Sen. Gambrell; SB332 / Senate Bill 332)

Professional Wedding Officiant Certification Course

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Will You Marry Us? Gift Package

Who Will Officiate Your Wedding?

Choose Your Officiant with our "Will You Marry Us?" Gift Package.

Signature Wedding Officiant Package

Signature Wedding Officiant Package

Our premiere package contains everyting you need to officiate like a pro.

The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies

The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies

Timeless scripts and heartfelt vow inspiration to bring life to your ceremony.

Wedding Officiant Training

Wedding Officiant Training

Everything you need to know to officiate.

Read our sample wedding ceremony scripts online

Sample Wedding Ceremony Scripts

Need inspiration? Check out our free ceremony scripts!

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