Most Recent AMM Articles

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)

In search of a unique wedding venue? Let this list of 10 unusual and unique places to get married inspire you, including weddings in a cemetery, a pirate ship, a cave, an aquarium, a medical museum, an airport, and more! You'll also find links to our free wedding ceremony scripts and advice on how to have a friend get ordained online to officiate your ceremony... for a truly original wedding celebration!

Learn about matelotage, which many believe to be an early form of gay marriage honored among pirates of the 1700s and 1800s. These legal civil unions bound two sailors together in an informal partnership, uniting one's fortune and future to the other's, and were respected by ship captains and pirate crews. (Same-sex marriage, queer history, history of marriage)

Ahoy, mateys! This unique pirate wedding script is fun from bow to stern, and from the officiant’s welcome speech to the pronouncement and first kiss. Filled with nautical imagery and seafaring slang, plus a special reading of Ben Harper's 'Gold to Me', a traditional hand blessing ceremony, and a rum unity toast. So gather your shipmates and say 'aye!' to love. This funny and heartwarming ceremony is written by professional officiant and ordained AMM Minister Sherri Crawford.

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

Vermont House Bill 148, titled 'An Act to Ban Child Marriage,' was passed by House on March 2nd and now heads to the Senate. The bill, which would raise the legal minimum age to marry in the state to 18 years old, is sponsored by Representatives Carol Ode, Mollie Burke, Tiffany Bluemle, and Sara Coffey. (VT H.148 2023)

Iowa legislators introduced a joint resolution this week that proposes a state ban on same-sex marriage by amending the Iowa Constitution. Learn about House Joint Resolution 8 (H.J.R. 8 ; 2023) and recent concerns over the future of marriage equality in Iowa and around the country.

The minimum age to marry in Wyoming is now 18 years old, with some legal exceptions for 16 and 17 year olds. Gov. Mark Gordon signed House Bill 7 (HB0007) into law last week, after multiple attempts by lawmakers over the years to raise the legal age of consent in the state. The new law is effective immediately.

A bill to protect and codify interracial marriage rights in New Jersey passed the Assembly in a unanimous 78-0 vote this week. Learn what's next as this important legislation heads to the N.J. Senate. (A4939 / Assembly Bill 4939 ; 2023 ; marriage equality )

How old do you have to be to officiate a wedding ceremony for friends and family members, or to work as a professional marriage officiant? Learn the minimum age requirement to officiate a wedding in each state, along with other important information about performing marriage.

The Anonymous Officiant #1 : This candle-lit wedding ceremony took an unexpected turn when a bridesmaid’s dress burst into flames. Read the full story and how a special guest saved the day from disaster, in this installment of American Marriage Ministries’ new candid column about real weddings and officiants: The Anonymous Officiant.

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

Our simple wedding ceremony outline explains the parts of the wedding ceremony, in order from start to finish! This template includes the wedding officiant’s role, walking down the aisle, when to exchange wedding vows and rings, when to add a unity ceremony, and more.

AMM-ordained officiants Nicki and Brandon Storm offer inclusive and personalized underwater wedding ceremonies in San Antonio, Texas, as well as scuba certification and open water instruction for diving enthusiasts, destination wedding packages, and more.