New legislation would repeal Indiana's defunct same-sex marriage ban and expressly protect same-sex marriage rights in the state. Read the proposed amendments in the 2023 House Bill 1122 (IN HB1122), authored by Rep. Kyle Miller and co-sponsored by Rep. Mitch Gore, and other recent attempts to codify same gender marriage in the country.

A short introduction to informal and common law marriage, including a simple definition, which states honor common law marriages, guidelines for cohabitation (living together), having a wedding, vow renewal, or commitment ceremony, and advice for wedding officiants who are asked to officiate a ceremony without a marriage license.

A look at the most popular wedding ceremony scripts published in the free AMM Wedding Ceremony Script Library this year! These original scripts were written by experienced wedding officiants and ordained AMM Ministers. Favorites include Christian wedding scripts, non-religious civil ceremony scripts, a seasonal Fall wedding, a ceremony for older couples, and ceremonies with unique unity readings, songs, poems, and more. Use these scripts as-is, or as inspiration for your own custom ceremony.

A look at the most popular wedding articles published on the AMM American Weddings blog this year! From current wedding trends, to creative and simple ways to personalize a wedding ceremony, to how to get married without a ceremony at all. Plus advice for wedding officiants and couples, wedding readings, and ideas on how to perform other rites like funerals and baby blessings.

Add some humor to your wedding ceremony script with these fun alternatives to "until death do us part." Perfect for couples who love to laugh together, nerds in love, partners in crime, and any other happy couple planning a funny, offbeat marriage ceremony.

Governor Kathy Hochul just signed legislation to approve a one-day-marriage officiant designation in New York State. Read about the new one-day officiant license, how to apply for designation with the Secretary of State, how long it takes to get approved to officiate, and how one-day authorization compares to online ordination through American Marriage Ministries when legally officiating a wedding in New York State, including NYC.

There’s a new original wedding ceremony script in the AMM library! This officiant script celebrates free-spirited and non-traditional love, equality, independence, respect, freedom, and true partnership in marriage. Written by ordained minister, officiant, and songwriter Karen E. Reynolds.

A sweet memorial ceremony script with sample wording for a bubble release or flower floating ceremony, written by AMM Minister Michelle Rojas. This sample speech is a great eco-friendly alternative to a traditional memorial balloon release, to capture the memory of the deceased and bring friends and family closer together. It includes a simple welcome, a heartfelt eulogy speech, a moment of remembrance, a bubble release / flower floating ceremony, and a sweet conclusion.

Creative vow ideas for your vow renewal ceremony! Choose from 10 vow examples to renew your marriage commitment, celebrate a wedding anniversary, marriage renewal, or second wedding ceremony. Use these sample vows as-is or as inspiration when writing your own vows, whether they be short and sweet, funny, child or family oriented, or romantic and heartfelt. Plus links to free full length vow renewal scripts.

Will lawmakers in South Carolina pass legislation to remove the 24-hour waiting period to marry in the state? Read about proposed changes to the marriage license application process in the state and Senate Bill 283 (SB 0283), prefiled for the 2023-2024 session.

Remember the one with Monica and Chandler’s wedding? Celebrate your marriage with romantic wedding vows inspired by your favorite Friends episode! Plus the full length funny wedding ceremony script, with quotes from Ross and wedding officiant Joey Tribiani to capture that classic 90s style.

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?

AMM's Spring survey reveals this year's three most popular unity ceremony ideas! Wedding officiants, take note: These unity rituals will be performed at a majority of weddings this year, and we have sample ceremony scripts, how-to instructions, and creative alternatives and variations to help you officiate like a pro! From timeless candle lighting ceremonies to sweet hand blessings, we've got you covered.

New AMM Survey shows that the majority of wedding ceremonies will include a 'moment of silence,' 'moment of remembrance,' or memorial table with photos to honor deceased loved ones this year. We offer advice for officiants on how to officiate a wedding that includes this meaningful element, as well as links to articles and officiant scripts with examples of wording, when to include it, and creative ideas to help you honor family and friends.

Happy Marriage Equality Day! Celebrating 8 years of marriage equality: On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v Hodges that same-sex couples had a legal, constitutional right to marry, protected by the 14th Amendment, and struck down all remaining state bans that prohibited same-sex marriages. Today, we celebrate this win for love and the LGBTQIA+ community, and take a look at what's next.

How to write a funny calavera literaria (or calaveras poem) for your Day of the Dead wedding ceremony, and when to include it during the invocation, written vows, blessing, or reception! Plus a sample script for the wedding officiant to use as an example, to ‘eulogize’ the newlyweds in a funny and loving way on Dia de los Muertos.

Six of our favorite colorful children’s books about same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ families. These kids books introduce the concepts of same-gender relationships, queer love, and diverse family structures, with a mix of nonfiction, true stories, adorable fiction, and even a modern fairy tale. Featuring Uncle Bobby's Wedding, Worm Loves Worm, Prince and Knight, and more!

Need some inspiration for a nontraditional wedding ceremony? Try one of these 5 unique ideas from Caelynn Miller-Keyes and Dean Unglert intimate and fun fall wedding celebration! Including a pet in the wedding procession, a small guest list, an original approach to the name change, wedding night tattoos, and more!

An AMM Minister performs a wedding high above the New River Gorge in an adventure wedding ceremony the couple will never forget. If you’re a new officiant and want to explore destination and adventure weddings, read on for inspiration!

A proposed law in Virginia aims to update marriage laws without addressing current minister discrimination

Meet AMM Minister Amber Olsen, a wedding officiant in North Dakota whose new ceremony planning book gives couples a unique perspective to create a day that reflects their personal love story.