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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!



6 Ways to Include a Sword in Your Wedding Ceremony

6 Ways to Include a Sword in Your Wedding Ceremony

From unity ceremony to unique recessional, here are 6 creative ways to include a sword in your wedding ceremony. This list incudes a military saber arch, Viking theme ring exchange traditional Sikh marriage kirpan, and more. Use these wedding sword ideas as-is, or personalize with the help of your wedding officiant for a custom unity ceremony.

Finally! A Wedding Officiant Training Course That’s Fully Online

Finally! A Wedding Officiant Training Course That’s Fully Online

Looking for comprehensive wedding officiant training online? AMM’s new Professional Wedding Officiant Certification Course is self-directed, making it easy for busy adults to fit into any schedule. With videos, downloads, short quizzes, a business workbook, and more.

AMM Ministers: Serving a Congregation of Two, or Many

AMM Ministers: Serving a Congregation of Two, or Many

Your online ordination with American Marriage Ministries empowers you to serve your congregation in meaningful ways. Learn about your congregation, ways to serve as an ordained minister, including as a wedding officiant and by officiating funerals and other ceremonies, and where AMM Ministers meet with the couples and families.

Wyoming lawmakers might raise the legal age to marry in 2023

Wyoming lawmakers might raise the legal age to marry in 2023

Pre-filed legislation in Wyoming could raise the legal age of consent to marry to 18 years old in 2023, with exceptions for 16 and 17 year olds with permission from a guardian and judge. Read about the proposed change to restrict child marriage, and other states that have recently limited underage marriages. (Wyoming House Bill 7)

Proposed legislation in Virginia and Texas would protect same-sex marriage in 2023

Proposed legislation in Virginia and Texas would protect same-sex marriage in 2023

Lawmakers in Virginia and Texas propose new legislation in 2023 to protect LGBTQ+ couples and families by repealing same-sex marriage bans from the states’ constitutions. Virginia House Joint Resolution 460 (VA HJR460) and Texas Senate Joint Resolution 15 (TX SJR15)

Dos novios se toman de la mano durante la ceremonia de la boda mientras el oficiante de la boda sonríe y sostiene el guión de la boda.

12 preguntas que debe hacerle a su oficiante de bodas antes de firmar un contrato

Hágale al oficiante de su boda estas importantes preguntas para asegurarse de que ha encontrado a la mejor persona para oficiar su ceremonia. Antes de firmar un contrato, pregunte por la disponibilidad, la capacidad legal y la ordenación, cuánto costará su servicio, los honorarios adicionales, si asistirá a un ensayo o escribirá un guión personalizado para la ceremonia, y mucho más.

A groom and bride pose in a funny way in front of a green wall to celebrate their marriage day

5 Alternatives to a Traditional Wedding Ceremony

Choose one of these fun and affordable alternatives to a traditional wedding ceremony, including eloping, a sign and go marriage license signing ceremony, a second wedding ceremony, vow renewal, or delayed reception party, and more! Perfect for non-traditional couples, couples with kids, asking a friend to officiate, and anyone who wants a unique and original marriage ceremony.

How to Have a ‘Friends Only’ Wedding Ceremony - No Family Invited

How to Have a ‘Friends Only’ Wedding Ceremony - No Family Invited

Not inviting family to your wedding? No problem! Here’s how to have a fun friends only wedding ceremony. Choose the right friend to serve as wedding officiant, person of honor, special reader, walk you down the aisle, and more, and celebrate guilt-free without parents, grandparents, siblings, or other relatives on the guest list.

Two grooms hold hands during the wedding ceremony while their wedding officiant smiles, holding the wedding script

12 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Officiant Before Signing a Contract

Ask your wedding officiant these important questions to make sure you’ve found the best person to officiate your ceremony. Before you sign a contract, ask about availability, legal standing and ordination, how much their service will cost, add-on fees, if they will attend a rehearsal or write a personalized ceremony script, and more.

How to Get Married in California - Planning a Wedding in The Golden State

How to Get Married in California - Planning a Wedding in The Golden State

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

Bride and groom jump off a decorated wall, photo taken from below, with a blue sky and clouds above them

3 Things to Know Before Having a ‘Just Us’ Wedding Ceremony

'Just us weddings' are sweet, simple, and oh so romantic. Just remember these 3 things to make sure your ceremony is legal, including if you can marry without an officiant, who can legally officiate a wedding in your state, and if you need a witness/ witnesses present to sign the marriage license.

What to Wear to Officiate a Winter Wedding

What to Wear to Officiate a Winter Wedding

Asked to officiate a winter wedding? Learn what clothes to wear as a wedding officiant during a winter wedding ceremony, depending on the couple and the type of wedding. Including tips on coats and outerwear, hats and gloves, shoes and boots, and formal and informal clothing for winter and holiday weddings.

Professional Wedding Officiant Certification Course

Learn from the Pros to Officiate with Confidence!

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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