GET ORDAINED

AMERICAN WEDDINGS BLOG

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!

BLOG CATEGORIES

All Articles Page 68

How to get married TO someone you love, BY someone you love

Recent Articles

The interior of a barn that has been decorated as a wedding venue, with an aisle lined with planters filled with white flowers, leading to a wedding arch decorated with white fabric and flowers

“I need a wedding venue near me, fast!” The secret to finding the perfect location for your marriage ceremony

Find the perfect wedding venue fast with this simple advice! The best location for your marriage ceremony may be even closer than you think, as close as your own backyard.

How to Get Married in Mississippi - Planning a Wedding in The Magnolia State

How to Get Married in Mississippi - Planning a Wedding in The Magnolia State

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

Don’t forget the 5 most important wedding ceremony supplies…

Don’t forget the 5 most important wedding ceremony supplies…

In the frenzy to send out your save the date invites, set up your wedding registry, and put deposits down on all your favorite vendors, don't forget the five most important wedding ceremony supplies of all... You, your partner, your wedding officiant, your marriage license, and a whole lot of love!

How do I find a wedding officiant near me? The secret to finding the perfect person to perform your marriage ceremony

How do I find a wedding officiant near me? The secret to finding the perfect person to perform your marriage ceremony

Finding the perfect wedding officiant for your marriage ceremony is important! You want an officiant who's responsible, fun, affordable, and that understands your values. Luckily, we know the secret -- you may not need to look any further than your immediate family or friends.

A bride in a white lace wedding gown holds a beautifully decorated unity candle during a candle lighting ceremony. The groom stands beside her, in a blue suit and red bowtie.

Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Unity Ceremonies

Learn about popular unity ceremony ideas for your wedding ceremony, as well as when a unity ceremony usually takes place during the ceremony, what these traditions symbolize, and how to add and include one in your wedding. We also offer an example of what your wedding officiant can say during the ritual, to help you find the perfect wording for your big day.

A bride holding a large bouquet of flowers holds hands with her new husband in front of the wedding arch and wedding officiant in the moments following their marriage ceremony. The newlyweds are smiling at each other. They are outdoors, in front of a large leafy green hedge on a sunny day.

The secret to a perfect wedding officiant speech (with examples)

Learn how to write a wedding officiant speech that's beautiful, heartfelt, or a little funny, with multiple examples, officiant script templates, and expert tips for your first time officiating a wedding.

A screenshot that shows a puppet wedding hosted by Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood

Real wedding inspiration from Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood of Make Believe

Mr. Rogers wedding inspiration! Add vintage charm to your procession and wedding vows, with Daniel Striped Tiger as ring bearer and other puppet guests.

Need a simple wedding officiant script? We’ve got dozens to choose from!

Need a simple wedding officiant script? We’ve got dozens to choose from!

Choose the perfect wedding officiant script from dozens of free, simple, sweet, fun, and nontraditional offerings in the AMM Wedding Ceremony Scripts Library! These sample scripts are a great place to start for first time wedding officiants, and can be easily modified with details from the couple's love story to create a custom wedding ceremony experience. Choose from religious and non-religious civil wedding scripts.

Don’t let her fool you, Wedding Officiant Margaret Hall is anything but ordinary

Don’t let her fool you, Wedding Officiant Margaret Hall is anything but ordinary

Meet 'Ordinary' Margaret Hall, an AMM-ordained minister and wedding officiant, and proud owner of The Matchbox Drive Thru -- an inclusive Vegas-themed wedding and elopement chapel located in Lafayette, Georgia, just outside Chattanooga Tennessee. Learn about Margaret's path to ordination with American Marriage Ministries, how she started a successful wedding officiant business, and how her unique marriage services support diverse communities in Georgia and beyond.

These compostable wedding rings gave us a fun ceremony idea…

These compostable wedding rings gave us a fun ceremony idea…

We love eco-friendly weddings and vow renewal ceremonies! So naturally, we were inspired by news of a unique line of compostable rings created by environmentally-focused companies QALO and Pela. In honor of taking steps toward increasingly waste-free weddings, we designed an original tree planting ceremony with these special wedding rings in mind!

How to Get Married in Alabama in 4 Simple Steps

How to Get Married in Alabama in 4 Simple Steps

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

Wedding Inspiration from TODAY’s Jill Martin & Erik Brooks’ New York Public Library Celebration

Wedding Inspiration from TODAY’s Jill Martin & Erik Brooks’ New York Public Library Celebration

TODAY contributor Jill Martin married financier Erik Brooks during an epic wedding ceremony at the New York Public Library earlier this month, and released photos of the celebration on Instagram this week. See highlights and inspiration from the non-traditional ceremony, including Martin's father Marty serving as wedding officiant after becoming ordained online with AMM.

More Recent Articles →

Asked to Officiate a Wedding?

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

News Articles

Rhode Island lawmakers consider new marriage license return period, easier practices for return by mail

Rhode Island lawmakers consider new marriage license return period, easier practices for return by mail

Learn about legislative efforts in Rhode Island that would change the state's marriage license return period, and make it easier for a marriage officiant to return a completed license by mail -- such that a license mailed and postmarked within the return period would be considered on-time. (2023 House Bill 5443 / H5443 / Rep. Edith H. Ajello)

The Anonymous Officiant: Use Your Gifts

The Anonymous Officiant: Use Your Gifts

The Anonymous Officiant #5 : Sage advice for newlyweds from an experienced wedding officiant! This minister reminds couples to use their wedding gifts after their married, and to treat every day life brings as a gift -- in this installment of American Marriage Ministries’ new candid column about real weddings and officiants: The Anonymous Officiant.

Vermont bans the marriage of minors, effective July 1, 2023

Vermont bans the marriage of minors, effective July 1, 2023

Beginning July 1, 2023, individuals must be at least 18 years old to marry in Vermont, with no exceptions. Gov. Phil Scott signed the 'Act to Ban Child Marriage' into law on April 20, making it illegal for all minors to get married in the state. (VT HB148 2023 ; Rep Carol Ode )

More News Articles →

Ceremony Planning Articles

How to Get Married in Tennessee: Plan a Wedding in The Volunteer State

How to Get Married in Tennessee: Plan a Wedding in The Volunteer State

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

The Wedding Recession: Creative Ideas & Advice for Your Wedding Ceremony Recessional

The Wedding Recession: Creative Ideas & Advice for Your Wedding Ceremony Recessional

Learn about the Wedding Recession - the symbolic end of a wedding ceremony that comes after the Officiant's Pronouncement of marriage! With advice on wedding recessional order, the transition from ceremony to reception, and creative ideas to make this part of your wedding ceremony memorable and unique. And don't forget to include your Wedding Officiant in the planning process!

How to Get Married in Rhode Island - Planning a Wedding in the Ocean State

How to Get Married in Rhode Island - Planning a Wedding in the Ocean State

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

More Ceremony Planning Articles →

Religion and Rituals Articles

More Religion & Rituals Articles →

Community Articles

We asked wedding officiants what to expect as COVID-19 heads into 2021

We asked wedding officiants what to expect as COVID-19 heads into 2021

American Marriage Ministries conducted a survey with officiants across the country, giving us unique and valuable insight into how American couples are planning and celebrating their weddings amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.

A majority of Wedding Officiants are seeing decreases in their role... is it time to freak out?

A majority of Wedding Officiants are seeing decreases in their role... is it time to freak out?

A nationwide survey found the role of the wedding officiant is changing as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic. What does it mean for the future of officiants?

Illustration of a groom putting a hand to his face with a worried expression - there is a green haze around his mouth, symbolizing that he is about to throw up

“I’m so nervous I could puke" - A wedding ceremony mishap and a quick-thinking officiant!

An officiant’s quick thinking and sense of humor saves the day when a groom’s anxiety makes him vomit during the wedding ceremony!

More Community Articles →
GET ORDAINED
WITH AMM

Become a Wedding Officiant with Our Free Online Ordination!