Wedding Officiant Archives

Wedding Officiant

When the officiant is a friend or family member

Posted on August 31, 2023 | Author Loretta Jay

We get it. There is a certain joy when a friend or family member stands before you and your beloved. In front of your loved ones. And you declare for the world that you want to marry each other. Naturally, there is a joy for the officiant-family member, too. The Justice of the Peace Association polled its members and asked what it was like for them, when they officiated their children, parents, friends or other family members. Not one of our officiants regretted their choice to officiate for their loved ones. 67% said they were proud and honored to be […]

JP Ceremonies ~ Meaningful with History

Posted on December 27, 2022 | Author Loretta Jay and Sarah Jay

For many, the term Justice of the Peace (or JP or JOP) has become a catchall phrase on discussion forums, social media and blogs referring to any civil marriage officiant. “Going to the JP” means to hie oneself (or selves) to town hall for a quickie marriage. This is a disservice to the many Justices of the Peace. Especially, members of the Justice of the Peace Association. They are professional marriage officiants who customize beautiful and personal ceremonies. Beyond that, these pros guide their couples in every aspect of the wedding service. Professionals All Around In addition, members of the […]

Weddings are Like an Iceberg

Posted on July 27, 2022 | Author Loretta Jay

Planning a wedding can be complicated. Lots of moving parts that need to fit together just right. When it goes well – beautiful! It looks easy-peasy. No one is the wiser to all the muss and fuss that went into getting the details just right. That is because all the work is hidden, like an iceberg! The work of a marriage officiant is like that, too. Marriage Officiants When officiants perform a marriage, all that most people see is the short ceremony culminating with pronouncements. Similar to other presentations, a lot of work goes into making it perfect. Loved ones […]

Unplugged Weddings

Posted on May 24, 2022 | Author Loretta Jay

Capture the first kiss without photobombs

An unplugged ceremony is not about an acoustic guitar accompaniment – however lovely it would be. Having an unplugged wedding is a not-so-new trend. It means guests are asked to turn off all electronics. No texting. No posting to Instagram. And, no photos, either. Just. Be. Present. There are many reasons to ask wedding guests to put electronics away. Being present and focused on the special moment is certainly a worthwhile motivation. A no phones rule is one of the simplest ways to create an environment for all attendees to be mindful of the event. Encourage opportunities for your friends […]

Marriage Officiants do What?

Posted on April 28, 2022 | Author Loretta Jay

Make your wedding ceremony meaningful with a professional officiant

So, you thought it was just reading a script and that was it, huh? Not so fast. While “counter marriages” are possible, they are not the norm. Even if you don’t want a big shindig, having a special marriage ceremony is not only doable, it is something to seek out. After all, you and the love you share are worth it! Your Love Story This is it! The big moment when you declare your love for one another to each other, your family and friends and the world. Married! Think about how you and your fiancee first met. Was it […]

LGBTQ+ Welcoming Officiants

Posted on June 29, 2021 | Author Loretta Jay

Having the right marriage officiant for your ceremony is important for all loving couples. This is especially true for same sex, queer, transgender or non-binary couples. While marriage equality is the law of the land, sadly some vendors didn’t get the message. Feeling safe and supported when planning your wedding is a must. Therefore, when selecting the person to lead the ceremony, it is reassuring for couples to know that they are welcomed and accepted before that first inquiry. Feeling Safe and Supported There are two aspects for consideration. First of all, it is vital that the JP or notary welcome all loving couples. […]

The Value of a JP

Posted on April 23, 2020 | Author Sharon M. Cheeks

More than the Pronouncement In the beginning, “Yes, I will marry you!” Then the fun and a lot of fretting began! You are now planning the wedding of your dreams and everything costs A LOT! Your rings have been chosen with loving care. You are on the hunt for the perfect venue. The most fabulous wedding dress and/or special outfit has got to be found. At any cost! The flowers…oh the flowers! DJ? Band? Or both? You must have the Venetian dessert table – nothing less will do! You are ready to spare no expense for your perfect day. That […]

Love is Stronger than COVID-19

Posted on April 3, 2020 | Author Loretta Jay

Marriages are About Love COVID-19 is proving that marriages really are all about love. Delaying the big shindig, couples are working with their justices of the peace and getting creative, marrying despite, and oftentimes, because of, the uncertain times. Mariel Mingola and Ryan Rowell found their Justice of the Peace, Angie Scraders, on findaJP.com. The couple had plans for a ceremony and reception, but now, because of the coronavirus, it will be just them. And soon. They didn’t want to wait. JP Angie found an out-of-the-way, scenic spot at a local park for an intimate ceremony. Mariel and Ryan postponed […]

Five Reasons Why a JP is Right for You

Posted on December 4, 2019 | Author Loretta Jay

Engaged to be Married? Looking for that perfect officiant? We’ve got five reasons why a JP is the way to go! Deciding on what type of wedding officiant to solemnize your marriage can feel overwhelming. There is the religious route – but that isn’t for everyone. A friend? Nah. We’ve written about the many problems when an amateur gets involved. But a Justice of the Peace? Indeed, they offer the best of all worlds. These are the five most common reasons couples choose a JP as their wedding officiant. Read on, to know for sure if a JP ceremony is right for you. […]

Have Your Cake And Eat It Too!

Posted on June 29, 2019 | Author Loretta Jay

So, you are thinking of having a friend or family member officiate your wedding. That is, well, okaaaay. Kinda. Sort-of. Maybe? If you are determined to go down this path, we encourage you to hire a professional to make sure that at the end of your ceremony your marriage is legal. Yes, that is right. Legal. This is because up to 90% of amateur officiants make serious mistakes that can jeopardize health insurance, buying a home, or dare we say – divorce settlements. In the age of internet officiants, your bestie from college might seem like the way to go. […]

Make Sure your Wedding Ceremony Fits Your Circumstances!

Posted on April 6, 2014 | Author Warren Turner

How times change! Not so long ago, the idea of living together before marriage was socially unacceptable. While some couples dared to try it, they dared not do so openly – for the judgment of society could be cruel. Gay couples also were in jeopardy of social condemnation. In 2014, however, living together before marriage is the rule — the “new normal.” And gay relationships too are becoming mainstream in the eyes of most Americans. Often the old words and assumptions underlying the “traditional” wedding ceremony don’t work anymore and need to be updated. The outdated Victorian notions of the “virgin” bride and groom – and […]

Future Shock: The Wedding Ceremony of 2050

Posted on March 2, 2014 | Author Carolyn Egan

While our concept of marriage continues to evolve, surprisingly the wedding ceremony itself has remained remarkably the same. Ask any Justice of the Peace and she will likely confirm that even the most modern couple will not abandon those features of the wedding ceremony that connect them to romance and tradition, most notably the opportunity to voice “I do!” So what is changing about the wedding ceremony? What will it look like in 35 years? If today’s trends are any indication (and of course they are), many weddings will be all about technology. (Surprise!) Virtually married? Bi-location: Your children’s wedding […]

Put Some Humor in the Wedding Ceremony

Posted on October 24, 2013 | Author Carolyn Egan

So you’re determined that your wedding be “one of kind” and extraordinary. You’re even thinking about adding a bit of whimsy to your ceremony to capture the spirit that makes the two of you such a signature couple. But how do you strike the right tone? Let’s face it, your wedding day is supposed to be a solemn occasion. You’ll be entering into a serious life commitment. You don’t want to come across as silly or disrespectful. Yet, a little humor can go a long way towards lightening up the tension and encouraging appreciative smiles among your wedding guests. With […]