What’s the Difference Between a Legal Marriage and a Wedding Ceremony?

Posted on | Author Matt Loter

Updated: Legal Marriage vs. Marriage Ceremony, published November 23, 2020 A bride-to-be posted a great question on Ask a JP because it gets at one of the most commonly confused facets of getting married: the distinction between the legal and the ceremonial. When we think of weddings, we tend to think of the legal and the ceremonial as being intertwined and integral to each other. While this is typically the case, it doesn’t have to be. Here in Connecticut we have very specific laws about who is eligible to marry, who may officiate a marriage, and other technical details associated […]

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Choosing a Wedding Officiant

Posted on | Author Adria Belport

This article was updated and revised on March 25, 2021. Choosing a Justice of the Peace to perform your marriage ceremony ought to be more important than the invitations you select, the food you serve, or the music you choose. Spending time selecting JPs to interview—summing up in a conversation the details of your romance, the hopes and dreams you share—is indeed very personal business. Just like the chemistry in finding your life partner, finding the right person to officiate is of special consideration. For me, the right combination of seriousness, humor and understanding makes the partnership comfortable and exciting, […]

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Be On Time for Your Wedding

Posted on | Author Larry Gemma

“I entreat you to start your ceremony no more than 15 minutes after your scheduled time…” Your JP can have two to three ceremonies on your wedding day so please try to start your ceremony no more than 15 minutes after your scheduled starting time. Every ceremony is important to each bride & groom and your JP wants to do the best job possible. The confirmation email I now send couples lists all my fees, several ways to contact me (and me, them) and the telephone number of the wedding location… AND a gentle reminder to START ON TIME!” Find […]

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Weddings Don’t Have to be Expensive

Posted on | Author Lynn Fredricksen

While big expensive weddings remain popular, many couples confide that they just cannot afford a fancy affair. Thus I offer the following suggestions for having a beautiful and memorable occasion without all the cost. First, let’s talk about location. Banquet halls are lovely, but they often come with a steep price tag. For those who want to avoid that expense, options abound. Couples can save  money by having their wedding at home. If that isn’t possible, perhaps a friend or relative might offer theirs. Or if the couple met while walking their dogs in a local park, they might want […]

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The Lure of Special Wedding Dates

Posted on | Author Saul Haffner

December 12, 2012 has come and gone leaving behind worldwide wedding records. From 540 in Singapore to 640 in NYC, couples rushed to tie the knot. Some estimates give the grand total at over 7,500 marriages in the U.S. The enormity of the effect can be seen by comparing it to December 12, 2011 when only 485 marriages took place. Had 12-12-12 been a Saturday or Sunday rather than a Wednesday, the total would surely have been larger. If you missed the 12-12-12 boat, what are your options? There are only twelve months in a year so the next triple […]

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Bring back the real JPs!

Posted on | Author Sarah Jay

Is the title “Justice of the Peace” destined to become a generic term for marriage officiant? Not so long ago, most states elected or appointed JPs whose primary duty was to perform marriages. Today many of those states have abolished that role and that official title. Justices of the Peace in Nevada, Texas, Florida and other southern and western states are primarily the lowest level of court justice for whom officiating at marriages is a subordinate (and happy) perk of the office. In some states, a law degree is a prerequisite; in others, not. The New England states are the […]

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Why a Justice of the Peace Blog?

Posted on | Author Barbara Jay

You landed on findaJP.com because you’re planning your wedding — or perhaps it’s your civil union, vow renewal, baby naming or retirement ceremony, to name just a few kinds of ceremonies for which you might be seeking a JP. The JPs on findaJP.com have cumulatively performed ceremonies like yours thousands of times and are eager to share with you what they have learned. They want your ceremony to be wonderful. That’s why they are JPs… because there’s no greater high than being part of the joy of a wedding day! So while you’re visiting findaJP.com, please listen in occasionally. What’s […]

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