Articles by Jessica Levey

Learn how to become a legally ordained minister, from free online ordination to a seminary or Master of Divinity degree (MDiv), in order to perform wedding ceremonies, funerals, baptisms, and other rites. There are many ways to get ordained, which one is right for you?

Will lawmakers in SC amend the state’s marriage license application process to limit legal grounds for divorce? Learn about the proposed Religious Freedom of Marriage Act, House Bill 3488, sponsored by Rep. Thomas Beach, and the impacts it might have on South Carolina marriage laws. (HB 3488, prefiled for the 2023-2024 session)

Are you a wedding content creator, or do you want to become one? Then get ordained online and be ready to officiate a wedding at a moment's notice! Why? Being a prepared backup officiant can help save a couple's day, and add a valuable skill to your resume. Take this advice from veteran wedding professionals and add ordination from AMM to your credentials!

Want to write a creative wedding ceremony script, but aren’t sure what wording to use for the declaration of intent? Let these 6 alternatives inspire you, from funny to formal examples, gender neutral to Spanish / bilingual, and more. The best ways for you and your wedding officiant to say, “Do you?”... “I do!”

We've added a fun new officiant script to AMM's free wedding ceremony scripts library! This script celebrates when 'opposites attract' in love and marriage, by celebrating differences that make you and your partner the perfect match. This outline includes a warm welcome and invocation, declaration of intent, exchange of rings and promises, and a simple pronouncement sealed with a kiss. Original wedding script written by ordained AMM Minister, songwriter, and professional officiant Karen E. Reynolds.

How much does an officiant cost? Learn common rates and fees for different types of officiants and services, including local clergy and professional wedding officiants, and even what to pay a friend you ask to officiate. The price to hire an officiant varies based on type of ceremony, venue, location, travel costs, and if they attend a rehearsal ceremony.

Wedding planning books with a focus on the ceremony: These wedding guides make great gifts for a newly engaged couple, your favorite professional wedding officiant, or anyone who wants to officiate a wedding for the first time. These books include ideas for traditional and modern weddings, unique unity ceremonies, handfasting ceremonies, and more.

Funny wedding readings and love poems to add to a lighthearted wedding ceremony script, unique wedding vows, or a whimsical rhyming officiant speech. Include these fun wedding quotes from Shel Silverstein, Dr. Seuss, Ogden Nash, The Princess Bride, Pam Ayres, and other favorites, and leave you and your guests laughing and filled with love on the wedding day.

Ministers ordained with American Marriage Ministries serve a diverse group of couples and families to ensure their marriages are celebrated with love, respect, and authenticity on the wedding day. These tips can help you cultivate a closer relationship with your congregation to perform weddings and other rites that truly honor them.

Lawmakers in New Jersey introduced a bill to codify protections for interracial marriage rights in the state. The bill would amend the current statute to ensure all NJ marriage laws are read with race neutral intent. This bill was introduced by Rep. McKeon in response to the recent Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v Wade, raising concern around future protections for interracial, same-sex and LGBTQ+ marriages.

A quick and simple civil wedding ceremony script for a ceremony that’s short, heartfelt, and oh so sweet! This nonreligious wedding officiant script includes a warm welcome and invocation, declaration of intent, classic vows and rings exchange, and a simple pronouncement.

An over the top list of humorous, helpful, and downright absurd questions a wedding officiant can ask a couple to get to know them before the ceremony. If you’re looking for a simple questionnaire to give your couples, this isn’t it, but it sure is funny! Perfect for the officiant who wants to personalize a wedding script, has too much free time, or worries too much.