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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 1732 articles and counting!

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Wyoming raises minimum age to marry to 18 with some exceptions

Recent Articles

Bill to protect interracial marriage passes N.J. Assembly, heads to Senate

Bill to protect interracial marriage passes N.J. Assembly, heads to Senate

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 )

A groom and bride walk away from the camera, side by side with their arms around each other in a colorful room, with friends and family standing to either side.

How Old Do You Have To Be To Officiate A Wedding?

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: And Then The Fire Broke Out…

The Anonymous Officiant: And Then The Fire Broke Out…

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.

How to Get Married in Pennsylvania - Planning a Wedding in The Keystone State

How to Get Married in Pennsylvania - Planning a Wedding in The Keystone State

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.

Groom and bride pose for photos on the wedding day, happy and laughing together outside in the sun

Wedding Ceremony Outline & Order : Understanding the Parts of a Wedding Ceremony

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.

A photo of fish and a reef underwater during an underwater wedding

Two Texas Officiants Make a Splash with Underwater Weddings

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.

Friends and family watch as a bride and groom are pronounced married during a beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony. The newlyweds are joined by a wedding officiant, behind them is a decorative wedding arch and forest trees.

Who Officiates a Wedding if You Don’t Go to a Courthouse or Church?

Getting married, but not sure who can officiate your wedding if you’re someplace other than the courthouse or a church? Who officiates a wedding held at home, in a public park, or in a private wedding venue? Learn who your options are when choosing a wedding officiant, including hiring a professional or asking a friend or relative to get ordained to marry you!

Casting Call: Aspiring Actors Make Great Wedding Officiants

Casting Call: Aspiring Actors Make Great Wedding Officiants

Casting call: Actors wanted for an exciting new role... Wedding Officiant! Learn how to use your skills as an actor to marry people and become a talented officiant, from practicing the wedding ceremony script to helping couples shine on the wedding day. Officiating is a great side job or full time career, and may even become your calling... and it all starts with online ordination with AMM.

Close up of a bride in a white dress holding a floral wreath next to groom in dark suit, walking outdoors on a wide open field

How to Get Married in Wyoming - Planning a Wedding in the Cowboy State

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

Tickets Available! AMM’s Atlanta Wedding Officiant Education & Networking Day

Tickets Available! AMM’s Atlanta Wedding Officiant Education & Networking Day

Join American Marriage Ministries for a day of wedding officiant education and networking on April 12, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia! This live event includes guest speakers with expert advice on how to be an incredible wedding officiant and build a successful business, networking and strategy seminars, and community building for officiants in the greater Atlanta area and beyond. Tickets are available now on Eventbrite.

North Texas LGBTQ+ Wedding Vendors & Allies Gather for ‘Sip and See’ This Weekend

North Texas LGBTQ+ Wedding Vendors & Allies Gather for ‘Sip and See’ This Weekend

Free ‘sip and see’ wedding planning event for same-sex and other LGBTQ couples in the Dallas Fort Worth area will bring together local LGBTQ+ wedding vendors and allied businesses on February 19, 2023. The LGBTQ+ Sip & See Spring Wedding Planning Event is organized by the North Texas LGBTQ Wedding Network and Chevy Chey Photography, and will be held at Apricus Venue in Corinth, TX.

Man holding microphone and wedding script leads a marriage ceremony, man and woman in wedding attire smile happily

Sample Wedding Officiant Contract: Defining Your ‘Terms of Service’ for Professional Officiants

Use this sample wedding officiant contract to help define your business terms of service. This vendor contract template includes details about who the agreement is between, the types of services, an example of cost breakdown and deposit requirements, who purchases and returns the marriage license, cancellation policy and more!

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Asked to Officiate a Wedding?

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

News Articles

In Support of the "Amend the Code for Marriage Equality Act of 2023”

In Support of the "Amend the Code for Marriage Equality Act of 2023”

Learn more about H.R. 4602, and how this legislation would help to protect marriage equality for LGBTQ+ couples at the federal level. The ‘Amend the Code for Marriage Equality Act of 2023,' would remove gendered words like 'wife' and 'husband' from multiple federal marriage laws. This legislation was introduced by U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley, D-California.

Illinois Repeals Old Laws to Protect Marriage Equality

Illinois Repeals Old Laws to Protect Marriage Equality

Learn about amendments to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act that strengthen protections for marriage equality in the state. Three laws have been repealed, which previously prevented out-of-state interracial and same-sex couples from traveling to Illinois to marry there, ensuring the state remains a safe haven for interracial and LGBTQ+ couples. (HB 1591 / 2023)

Hawaii Marriage Performer License Fees Increase For All Officiants, Including AMM Ministers

Hawaii Marriage Performer License Fees Increase For All Officiants, Including AMM Ministers

Learn about the fee increase for Marriage Performers in Hawaii, including all ordained religious officiants and judicial officiants. Effective July, 2023, all wedding officiants are required to pay $100 per year for a standard license or $25 per 60 day period for a short-term license to solemnize marriage in Hawaii. Asked to officiate a wedding in Hawaii? Here's what to know! (2023 HI SB1370 / HB1072 / Kouchi)

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Ceremony Planning Articles

Un collage de fotografías conceptuales muestra el edificio de la capital de EE. UU. y un cartel rojo que dice "cierre"

¿Se puede obtener una Licencia de Matrimonio durante un cierre Gubernamental?

¿Puede usted todavía obtener una licencia de matrimonio durante un cierre del gobierno? ¿Pueden los ministros de AMM oficiar una ceremonia de boda durante un cierre federal? Cubrimos todo lo que necesita saber acerca de casarse durante estos tiempos salvajes, incluyendo detalles sobre Washington DC.

Groom and bride stand facing each other at an outdoor wedding ceremony, while a female wedding officiant watches happily

12 Examples of Wedding Vows for Him

Wedding vows for grooms! 12 examples of marriage vows for him, including religious vows (Christian, Muslim, Jewish), formal and traditional vows, funny vows, short and sweet options, and modern non-traditional vows. These sample vows work for opposite-gender or same-gender and same-sex gay couples, and can personalized to suit your unique style and ceremony.

Two grooms prepare for the wedding ceremony at home with their friends and relatives

How to Get Married at Home (for a Sweet & Easy Wedding Day)

Everything you need to know about getting married at home! Including what’s required to make your marriage legal, how to find a wedding officiant or ask a friend to officiate, if you need witnesses present, where to apply for a marriage license, and more.

More Ceremony Planning Articles →

Religion and Rituals Articles

More Religion & Rituals Articles →

Community Articles

New Gallup poll shows church membership is down dramatically -- And we know why

New Gallup poll shows church membership is down dramatically -- And we know why

A new Gallup poll shows US church membership is lower than ever, below 50 percent in 2020. The largest contributor cited was a lack of religious preference or affiliation in all demographics, and AMM knows why!

AMM ordains people of all faiths -- from pagans to monotheists, atheists to agnostics!

AMM ordains people of all faiths -- from pagans to monotheists, atheists to agnostics!

AMM welcomes people of all faiths: If you’re wondering how to become an ordained minister with a nondenominational, interfaith church, whether you’re Neopagan, Christian, nonreligious, or anywhere in between, start here!

Meditation for Ministers: AMM’s Favorite Pink Noise Playlists on Spotify

Meditation for Ministers: AMM’s Favorite Pink Noise Playlists on Spotify

Ministers and wedding officiants are BUSY this season! Luckily, meditation helps us stay productive, positive, and avoid burnout! Pink noise is great for lowering anxiety and improving focus, for ceremony writing, meeting with couples, and more.

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