Articles by Jessica Levey

There's a new script in our library! This ‘Parent Officiating’ wedding script is the perfect fit for when a couple asks a mother, father, grandparent, or mentor to officiate their wedding ceremony. Use it as is, or personalize this sample officiant script with details from your life and love story, add a unity ceremony, then put it all together for a sweet, custom officiant speech that’s ready to go on your marriage day! Written by ordained AMM Minister Dan Henkel.

Get inspired by these sweet Irish wedding traditions, including the ancient Celtic Pagan handfasting ritual and a contemporary Irish wedding bell blessing! From decor to dancing, there are many lovely ways to incorporate traditional Irish wedding elements in your ceremony.

Learn the meaning of a love lock wedding ceremony, and what to say and do during this popular unity ritual! With a sample officiant script and variations for two locks, one lock with two keys, and multiple locks for blended families who want to include children in the ceremony.

Israel’s Supreme Court has ruled that Israeli couples are allowed to marry using Utah County’s online marriage services, and that these civil marriages must be legally recognized. Learn more about the ruling and how to get married online via Utah County’s remote marriage portal.

Most couples need help writing their personal wedding vows, toast, or speech, but is a chatbot like ChatGPT or GPT-3 the right choice for inspiration? AMM tested A.I. bot ChatGPT to see what kind of vows it could come up with, and the results are in! Plus links to free officiant scripts, vow examples, readings and more.

Learn how HB878 and 2019’s paused anti-online ordination law work together in an ongoing attack against marriage equality in Tennessee. These bills would allow a person to refuse to solemnize (conduct) a marriage they object to based on their ‘conscience or religious beliefs,’ and make it illegal for an officiant ordained online to perform marriage. If passed, it will be easier for clerks and officiants to discriminate against same-sex, LGBTQ+, interfaith, and interracial couples in TN. (House Bill 878 / 2023 ; HB0213 / 2019)

Have a wedding ceremony with two officiants with this new wedding script from the AMM Ceremony Script Library! This original officiant script includes a sweet welcoming speech, a traditional ring and vow exchange, pronouncement, and more, written by professional officiant and ordained AMM Minister Dan Henkel. It's non-religious, sweet, simple, and perfect for couples who want a unique twist to their ceremony.

Town and City Clerks in New York will soon be able to issue a one-day marriage officiant permit to anyone wanting to perform a single wedding ceremony in the state. Learn more about how to apply, how much a one-day officiant license costs, and more. (NY A02901 / S02234 ; 2023)

A bill to ban underage marriages in West Virginia was thought to have died in committee following a 9-8 vote to reject on Wednesday, but was revived for a second reading in the Senate on Thursday night. Learn about HB3018, which would raise the minimum age to marry in WV to 18 years old, with no exceptions for minors. (Del. Kayla Young; Sen. Charles Trump; House Bill 3018 ; 2023)

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

The new AMM Minister's Manual for wedding officiants is now available: This detailed guide includes updated information on your ordination, minister registration & requirements in your state, how to communicate with government offices, common parts of a wedding ceremony, how to officiate a wedding for the first time (with examples), how to sign a marriage license, and more.

Learn what HB878 might mean for the future of marriage equality in Tennessee. The bill, which recently passed the House, would allow a person to refuse to solemnize (conduct) a marriage they object to based on their ‘conscience or religious beliefs.’ Opponents believe the bill would make it easier for clerks and officiants to discriminate against same-sex, LGBTQ+, interfaith, and interracial couples in TN. (House Bill 878 / 2023)