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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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Close up photo of a bride and groom exchanging wedding rings during a beautiful legal wedding ceremony, with the officiant standing in the background

Recent Articles

10 Tips for Officiating a Winter Wedding

10 Tips for Officiating a Winter Wedding

Advice for wedding officiants during the holiday winter wedding season. Ten simple tips on which supplies to pack in your emergency kit, what to wear, what to include in your contract, how to network with other officiants to avoid day-of disasters if you’re unable to officiate at the last minute, and more.

Grocery-themed ALDI wedding gives new meaning to ‘walking down the aisle’

Grocery-themed ALDI wedding gives new meaning to ‘walking down the aisle’

A Michigan couple was married in an ALDI store on Nov. 9th, after winning the grocery chain's 'Happily Ever Aldi' contest. The grocery themed wedding ceremony script included food puns, references to ALDI deli products, and readings from friends and family. Wedding officiants: would you officiate this unusual wedding ceremony?

collage image shows Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling side by side, with a wedding ring icon in between

How to get married in secret like Ryan Gosling & Eva Mendes

The rumors are true: Celebrity couple Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling are secretly married! Learn how to plan a romantic secret wedding like theirs by following a few simple steps, including finding a private wedding officiant, applying for a confidential marriage license, and other useful advice.

Rainbow colored Christmas balls on a red string in front of a wooden background, with pine sprigs

Why doesn’t Candace Cameron Bure want a gay Christmas?

Candace Cameron Bure made headlines this week for comments against same-sex marriage, telling The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) that Great American Family media network plans to keep 'traditional marriage at the core' of its Christmas movies. Read our take on the actor's interview, the exclusion of LGBTQ+ characters and queer families from holiday films, and Hallmark Channel's first gay Christmas movie.

All About Quaker Wedding Traditions & Marriage ‘Under the Care of the Meeting’

All About Quaker Wedding Traditions & Marriage ‘Under the Care of the Meeting’

Learn about common Quaker wedding ceremony traditions including how to get married without a wedding officiant in a self-uniting ritual, what it means to marry "under the care of the meeting,' the Quaker marriage certificate, traditional Quaker wedding vows, where it's legal to perform your own marriage ceremony, rules for marrying members outside the Religious Society of Friends, and more.

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

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

Learn about the Supreme Court Obergefell v Hodges ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in the U.S., the history of marriage equality in all 50 states, and the role of online ordination in ensuring all couples, including LGBTQ+ couples, can choose an inclusive wedding officiant.

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.

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Asked to Officiate a Wedding?

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

News Articles

Connecticut lawmakers vote to raise legal age to marry to 18 years old

Connecticut lawmakers vote to raise legal age to marry to 18 years old

Legislation to raise Connecticut’s legal marriage age to 18 years old has passed the House and Senate, and is on its way to Gov. Ned Lamont’s desk for final approval. Learn more about this ban on child marriage in CT, and what wedding officiants in the state should know about the changing law. (House Bill 6569 / HB06569 2023)

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.

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Ceremony Planning Articles

There’s No Such Thing as a Boring Wedding

There’s No Such Thing as a Boring Wedding

Here's a secret we wish all couples knew: There's no such thing as a boring wedding ceremony. No, really! Instead of worrying about whether or not your big day's boring, consider your shared values, your budget, and the people on your guest list. Then talk to your wedding officiant to help bring everything together in a way that feels right to you!

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.

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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