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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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When was same-sex marriage legalized in the U.S.? Is it legal in all 50 states?

Recent Articles

Close up as a bride and groom perform a unity candle ceremony during their wedding. The couple are holding small candles to light a larger candle, and holding their free hands up to block the wind so that the flame doesn't go out. They are wearing formal wedding attire, including a white gown with lace sleeves, and a blue suit.

FAQs About the Unity Candle Ceremony, Including When, How, Who, Where, and Why!

All your questions about the wedding unity candle ceremony, answered: When to light the candle (before or after rings and vows), who lights the unity candle, how to include parents and others, wording and what to say, symbolism and meaning, whether to blow it out before the pronouncement, and more! For wedding officiants and engaged couples.

Product photo of the box that the AMM minister ordination package arrives in, against a yellow background

Which AMM Minister Ordination Package or Training Course is Best for You?

The best American Marriage Ministries Minister Ordination Package or Course for your needs: Compare what comes in each one for the price: A review of everything included in our officiant ordination packages and training courses, including a letter of good standing and ordination certificate, free minister training and affordable courses, to help you decide what to order and why.

When will same-sex marriage be codified? (And what does that even mean?)

When will same-sex marriage be codified? (And what does that even mean?)

Learn about efforts to protect same-sex marriage rights, the upcoming Senate vote on the Respect for Marriage Act 2022, the history of marriage equality in the U.S., and how online ordination plays an important role in non-traditional, LGBTQ+ and interracial weddings.

Dalai Lama Quotes on Love & Happiness for Your Wedding Ceremony Script

Dalai Lama Quotes on Love & Happiness for Your Wedding Ceremony Script

Quotes on love & happiness from The Dalai Lama to personalize any wedding ceremony script. Use in the invocation, wedding officiant’s blessing, vows, or as a unique wedding reading, for a Buddhist, interfaith, or spiritual marriage ceremony. Taken from The Art of Happiness, The Book of Joy & other essays, with additional quotes from Howard C. Culter.

A Simple Guide to Nikah Traditions & Muslim Wedding Words

A Simple Guide to Nikah Traditions & Muslim Wedding Words

A simple introduction to popular Nikah traditions and words you're likely to hear when planning or attending a Muslim wedding ceremony for the first time, including henna parties, signing the Islamic marriage certificate, separating guests by gender, the mangni, baraat, walima banquet dinners, and more. Nikah mubarak!

Muslim Wedding Vows Inspired by Quran Verses on Love & Marriage

Muslim Wedding Vows Inspired by Quran Verses on Love & Marriage

5 examples of Muslim wedding vows inspired by quotes from the Quran about love and marriage to use in a modern Nikah ceremony or interfaith Muslim wedding ceremony. Read quotes from the Quran in English and sample vows written with Islamic marriage values in mind.

Oklahoma Wedding Officiants No Longer Required to Register Before Performing a Marriage Ceremony

Oklahoma Wedding Officiants No Longer Required to Register Before Performing a Marriage Ceremony

Learn about changes to Oklahoma marriage laws: Wedding officiants no longer need to file minister credentials with the court clerk to officiate a wedding ceremony but must certify their ordination on the license, marriage license expiration and return period extended to 30 days, and more.

Bride and groom pose outside for wedding photos after the ceremony

Can’t Afford a Wedding? How to Get Married for (Almost) Free

How to have a free wedding, or almost free! If you can't afford a wedding, consider these alternatives for a free wedding officiant, free wedding venue, and more!

How to Become a Wedding Celebrant & Officiate a Wedding for the First Time

How to Become a Wedding Celebrant & Officiate a Wedding for the First Time

Follow these simple steps to get ordained online, register as a wedding celebrant, and complete our free minister training! American Marriage Ministries makes it easy to become an ordained officiant and officiate a wedding for the first time.

theAMM.org or AMM.org? Which one offers free ordination online?

theAMM.org or AMM.org? Which one offers free ordination online?

Learn about American Marriage Ministries’ online ordination (AMM) and the Association of the Miraculous Medal, the differences between these two organizations, and how to become a wedding officiant online for free.

Simple Buddhist Chant for Love & Awareness in Your Wedding Ceremony

Simple Buddhist Chant for Love & Awareness in Your Wedding Ceremony

Planning a Buddhist wedding ceremony? This simple Buddhist chant and incense offering is spoken by the wedding officiant to welcome wholehearted awareness, love, patience, compassion, mindfulness, and harmony, as a foundation for a loving and lasting marriage. Use as part of a custom ceremony script, or click to see the full sample script in the AMM Ceremony Scripts Library.

How to Get Married in an Online Wedding Ceremony in Utah

How to Get Married in an Online Wedding Ceremony in Utah

Want to get married online in a remote wedding ceremony? It’s possible with the help of a Utah wedding officiant. Learn the basics of legal online marriage, including how to find a wedding officiant, apply for your Utah County marriage license, arrange a video-conference appointment, and other requirements. Plus tips for planning a memorable virtual wedding!

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Asked to Officiate a Wedding?

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

News Articles

Maine lawmakers enact bill to ban child marriage, raise legal age to marry to 18  

Maine lawmakers enact bill to ban child marriage, raise legal age to marry to 18  

Lawmakers in Maine passed legislation this week to prohibit the marriage of minors and raise the legal age to apply for a marriage license to 18 years old. The bill now heads to Gov. Mills for approval. Learn how LD 443 will amend the current law by removing provisions that allow 16 and 17 year olds to marry with parental permission, and if the change will impact American Marriage Ministries Ministers in Maine.

These Sweet Vow Books Include Prompts to Help You Write Your Own Vows

These Sweet Vow Books Include Prompts to Help You Write Your Own Vows

Unique vow booklets to help you write your own vows and deliver them in style! These vow books contain questions & prompts to inspire you, plus suggestions & examples to organize your words into heartfelt vows in time for the wedding day. Two designs and color themes to choose from, making these sweet vow journals perfect for any wedding or elopement.

The Anonymous Officiant: Two Missing Rings, One Distraught Groom & Plenty of Cocktails…

The Anonymous Officiant: Two Missing Rings, One Distraught Groom & Plenty of Cocktails…

The Anonymous Officiant #7: Who's got the rings? When the Best Man misplaces the wedding rings before the ceremony things gets interesting... Learn how a quick-thinking officiant and a well-stocked open bar saves the wedding day (and the Groom's sanity) in this installment of American Marriage Ministries’ new candid column about real weddings and real officiants.

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Ceremony Planning Articles

How to Get Married in Nevada: Plan a Wedding in The Silver State

How to Get Married in Nevada: Plan a Wedding in The Silver State

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

Bride and groom hold hands as they walk across a scenic field near farm buildings on the wedding day

How to Get Married in West Virginia: Plan a Wedding in The Mountain State

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

How to Get Married in Virginia - Planning a Wedding in ‘The Old Dominion’

How to Get Married in Virginia - Planning a Wedding in ‘The Old Dominion’

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

More Ceremony Planning Articles →

Religion and Rituals Articles

More Religion & Rituals Articles →

Community Articles

AMM Minister Samuel Heath has a calling: To operate on love and to officiate the hell out of weddings

AMM Minister Samuel Heath has a calling: To operate on love and to officiate the hell out of weddings

AMM Minister Samuel Heath is an LGBTQ wedding officiant who believes love is a calling & all people have a right to marry.

A Wedding Photographer Reminds Us Why The Big Picture Is The Most Important One

A Wedding Photographer Reminds Us Why The Big Picture Is The Most Important One

Small mistakes & accidents don't have to ruin your wedding photos OR your wedding day. Focus on the importance & deeper meaning of your wedding ceremony, because your mood is the one thing your wedding photographer can't fix in photoshop.

Indiana Attorney General Asks SCOTUS to Overturn Protections for Same-Sex Parents

Indiana Attorney General Asks SCOTUS to Overturn Protections for Same-Sex Parents

Indiana AG Hill asks the Supreme Court to reverse ruling allowing same-sex LGBTQ parents to be included on their children’s birth certificates.

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