Marriage fraud happens everywhere. Specifically, foreign nationals recruit US born residents to participate in sham weddings. The Justice of the Peace Association and civil officiants have an inherent desire to maintain the integrity of the marriage process. Therefore, fraudulent marriage affects us. Since March 2020, when the NYC marriage bureau closed during the pandemic, the number of people pursuing marriages to circumvent immigration rules or other reasons in New England states increased. In particular, incidents went up in Connecticut. Accordingly, JPs and notaries need to be aware of the signs. Then, they need to know what to do if marriage […]
When crafting the marriage ceremony, officiants must find the perfect balance between too much information and not enough. Personalized, but not too intimate. And, of course, not too short, nor too long. To answer this last question, JPus surveyed professional officiants and asked, How long do you think a marriage ceremony should be? Following are the results of the survey. 15-20 Minutes ~ The Perfect Ceremony Length Our decision to omit the 15-20 minute option was deliberate, to force respondents to lean either shorter or longer. Our plan may have backfired, though, since officiants chose both the alternatives at practically […]
Whether performing a marriage ceremony or just living our lives, we all want to be mindful of others so they feel included. Thinking about the words we choose and how those words make others feel is an important step to being more inclusive. One way of approaching this step is to use terms that define the relationship, rather than the gender. For example, say parent instead of mom/dad. Or, sibling instead of brother/sister.) The process of modifying our language can be awkward. That is okay. Don’t shy away from it. Instead, embrace the discomfort. This will help you become more […]
An important discussion to have with your couples is about the use of electronics. Do they want their guests to use them during the ceremony, or would they like everyone to unplug? As the leader of the ceremony, it is your responsibility to set the tone and convey your couple’s wishes. If they are unsure about how to proceed, share with them this article about unplugged weddings. It will help them think through their options. How-To Say It Following is some suggested language to share your couple’s wishes. Modify the message so it reflects your own style – and of […]
There are many reasons why officiants should use a written agreement when working with couples. Yes, even if you think you don’t need one. A contract or work agreement gives couples assurance that their marriage officiant won’t bail on them. Moreover, it also provides you with valuable protections. Clarifying Expectations Performing marriage ceremonies is a business, albeit a warm and fuzzy one. Therefore, laying out what each party can expect from the professional relationship sets expectations and avoids disappointments. Detailed suggestions to include in your agreement are available in the third article in this series. Minimize Disputes First of all, […]
