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Stay up to date with the latest wedding ceremony trends, script writing inspiration, tips and advice for first-time officiants, and news that matters to couples and wedding ministers. Over 1751 articles and counting!

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A young couple pose together in love

Recent Articles

Close up of a newlywed signing the marriage license

Delaware is Making it Easier for Parolees to Get Married in 2026

Delaware will remove marriage restrictions for people on parole and probation in 2025, making it easier for them to apply for a license without special permission. (DE SB7 2025 / Pinkney; Townsend; Minor-Brown)

Close up photo of newlyweds signing a marriage license

Missouri Legislators Ban Child Marriage, Raise Legal Age to Marry to 18

Missouri bans child marriage with new law raising the minimum age to marry to 18 with no exceptions. Learn what this means & which other states prohibit underage marriage (MO SB43 2025 ; Fitzwater / Hausman)

Mascot Gritty and a bride at a wedding reception

Married by a Mascot: Weddings Officiated by Costumed Characters

Want a mascot to officiate your wedding? These real-life mascot weddings will inspire you, plus tips on how to make sure your costumed wedding ceremony officiant is legal.

El oficiante Matt está con una novia y un novio durante una boda en la playa.

Parezca un Superhéroe Demasiado Preparado: 5 Cosas Que Todo Oficiante de Bodas Debería Tener

¡Estos 5 consejos para oficiantes de bodas primerizos lo convertirán en el héroe del día de su boda! Haga clic para ver los consejos de un oficiante profesional sobre qué llevar a la ceremonia.

newlyweds sign the marriage license with help from their wedding officiant

It’s Not Just Weddings, Marriage License Costs Are Going Up Too

Marriage license fees are rising across the US, adding to the cost of getting married in 2025, even for elopements and courthouse weddings. Here's what couples need to know!

Two grooms hold hands and smile on the wedding day

Wisconsin Lawmakers Pass New Same-Sex Marriage Protections

Wisconsin updates marriage laws to protect same-sex couples, replacing outdated language with gender neutral terminology and adding new legal protections for same-sex marriage in the 2025 state budget.

Rainbow layer cake with macrons, festive birthday cake

American Marriage Ministries Celebrates 16 Years of Ordinations & Service in 2025

Happy birthday to American Marriage Ministries! Celebrate our sweet 16 with a look back at how far we've come, and what's next. Thank you, with much gratitude to our AMM Minister family!

Un novio sumerge a la novia durante un baile al aire libre en la recepción de su boda. Él lleva una camisa azul abotonada, y ella un vestido blanco sin mangas con una colorida corona en el pelo. Detrás de ellos, unos amigos charlan mientras toman algo en el patio, decorado con serpentinas y globos.

¡Empiece la fiesta (de su boda) de la mejor manera con una gran ceremonia!

Establecer el tono correcto durante la ceremonia de su boda hará que el resto de las celebraciones comiencen con el pie derecho.

Wedding tent with colorful lights, guests gathered happily at evening

Beyond the Band: 5 Unique Wedding Entertainment Ideas

Looking for fresh wedding entertainment ideas beyond the usual band or DJ? From drag shows to live painting & lion dancers, here are 5 unforgettable ways to wow your guests.

Primer plano de dos mujeres chocando las manos y riendo, sentadas juntas a la mesa. Al fondo, otra mujer observa felizmente, sosteniendo un bolígrafo. Hay un cuaderno abierto frente a ella, lo que sugiere que ha estado trabajando en el esquema de la ceremonia de boda con estas dos novias.

Consejos de Escritura: Es Personal, Cómo Expresar su Personalidad en una Ceremonia de Boda

La mejor forma de personalizar la ceremonia de su boda es hacerle a la pareja las preguntas adecuadas sobre su relación y evitar que parezca un "brindis" o una "quemada".

Bride and groom stand with wedding officiant while seated friends and family watch the marriage ceremony

Don’t Have Someone to be Your Bridesmaid or Best Man? Try This Instead

No one to ask as your best man or maid of honor? Here’s what to do instead: 3 creative & meaningful alternatives to traditional wedding attendant roles.

Bride smiles and wipes sweat off groom's forehead with napkin

How Hot is TOO Hot for an Outdoor Wedding?

How hot is too hot for an outdoor summer wedding? Learn the ideal & max temps, heat risk factors & practical tips to keep guests cool, comfortable, and safe!

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Asked to Officiate a Wedding?

Follow these simple steps to perform marriage for friends and family.

News Articles

A young couple pose together in love

Why Gen Z is Choosing Domestic Partnership Over Marriage

More Gen Z couples are choosing domestic partnerships instead of marriage to avoid wedding costs, tax penalties, or uphold personal values. Learn more & what to consider before filing.

Close up of a newlywed signing the marriage license

Delaware is Making it Easier for Parolees to Get Married in 2026

Delaware will remove marriage restrictions for people on parole and probation in 2025, making it easier for them to apply for a license without special permission. (DE SB7 2025 / Pinkney; Townsend; Minor-Brown)

Close up photo of newlyweds signing a marriage license

Missouri Legislators Ban Child Marriage, Raise Legal Age to Marry to 18

Missouri bans child marriage with new law raising the minimum age to marry to 18 with no exceptions. Learn what this means & which other states prohibit underage marriage (MO SB43 2025 ; Fitzwater / Hausman)

More News Articles →

Ceremony Planning Articles

Invitadas sentadas en una boda, esperando, arco de boda arreglado con flores.

¿Qué pasa si el Oficiante de su Boda le Cancela? 3 Maneras de Salvar el Día

¿Qué hacer si el oficiante de su boda le cancela? Haga clic para ver 3 medidas que puede tomar ahora mismo para evitar desastres el día de la boda, ¡incluyendo que un amigo se ordene en línea con AMM como alternativa!

Engaged couple show off the engagement ring to friends and family at a prenup party at home

3 Reasons to Throw a Prenup Party Before Your Wedding

What is a prenup party and why should you throw one? Check out 3 great reasons to celebrate this important milestone on the way to marriage before the wedding.

Dinosaur poses next to wedding rings

5 Jurassic Park Wedding Theme Ideas for a Fun & Memorable Day

Plan a Jurassic Park theme wedding that's fun and elegant, inspired by the lush scenery and excitement of this classic film. From linen suits & palm leaf boutonnieres, to dinosaur cake toppers, DIY decor, and a themed photo booth!

More Ceremony Planning Articles →

Religion and Rituals Articles

Greek Orthodox Weddings: From Koumbaroi to Holy Crowns and the Common Cup

Greek Orthodox Weddings: From Koumbaroi to Holy Crowns and the Common Cup

Learn about Greek Orthodox Weddings ritual and traditions, from the stefana wedding crown ceremony, to blessings in threes, unique prayers and psalms, Koumbaros, the meaning of the wedding candles, and drinking from the Common Cup.

Close up shows bride and groom embracing, she is wearing modern Muslin wedding outfit

What is a Nikah Ceremony? Intro to the Muslim Marriage Ceremony

Learn about the Muslim marriage ceremony tradition - the nikkah or nikah ceremony – and how this traditional religious Islamic wedding custom compares to the declaration of intent and marriage certificate in an American / U.S. wedding.

Close up of a groom and a bride holding lit candles during a unity candle ceremony. The candles are decorated with greenery, a white rose, and ribbon. The groom wears a dark suit and white shirt, and the bride wears a strapless white and pink wedding gown.

How to Perform a Unity Candle Ceremony (for Wedding Officiants)

Want to plan or perform a unity candle ceremony for your wedding? Learn about supplies, how to set up the table, what to say and do, and considerations for after the wedding. For couples and wedding officiants!

More Religion & Rituals Articles →

Community Articles

Photo of a wedding ceremony guide book with flowers surrounding it

Introducing AMM’s Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies!

For wedding officiants and couples, AMM presents an exciting collection of wedding vow and ceremony script examples! This detailed book includes examples for every type of wedding or elopement, and helpful advice on how to write your own custom wedding vows using a simple template.

Promotional graphic for the Washington, DC wedding officiant training and networking seminar, Officiant Accelerator, shows the city from an aerial view with the text across it

Officiant Accelerator is in DC on March 13th! Meet the Speakers for This Exciting Event

Attention Wedding Officiants in the DMV: Meet the speakers for our March 13th, 2024 officiant training and networking seminar! This fun one-day event features presentations from professional officiants, with expert advice on how to start a successful officiant business, connect with couples, market your services, and how to perform unique unity rituals and more. This event is open to all wedding officiants in Washington, D.C., NOVA (Alexandria and Arlington), Baltimore, and surrounding areas!

Newlyweds bride and groom kiss outdoors during their wedding ceremony. The sun is behind them and shines through as they kiss.

Arkansas Officiant Plans Cosmic Group Wedding for April’s Solar Eclipse

Get married during April’s solar eclipse in a unique group wedding event in Pottsville, Arkansas! Officiated by AMM-ordained Notary Officiant Kimberely Boren, this fun celestial ceremony promises love and laughter in the path of totality. An outdoor group wedding will be followed by a festive indoor reception with drinks, dessert, dancing, and more. (April 8, 2024)

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