This is the second part of our two-part series about amplifying a wedding. Part 1 is all about why an officiant wants to invest in a sound system. This article is about how to choose your equipment. Speakers When considering which speakers to select, keep in mind their size and weight. Remember – you’ll have to schlep them around. Then think about the power output, which is measured in watts. Watts are rated two ways: RMS and max power output. RMS (Root Mean Square) measures the perceived loudness of the signal over time. And the max power is how much . . .
Member Support
Articles to improve your JPus experience and maximize the power of your membership
Support Topic: Professional Development
Reasons to Mic Up the Wedding Ceremony
There will be a time when you are performing a wedding and there are 50 guests, but no sound system at the venue. You want everyone to hear as you tell the couple’s enthralling love story that you worked so hard to write and memorize. And the guests must be able to hear the couple say their vows. What do you do? Provide your own sound system, of course. Your sound system doesn’t need to be big and elaborate. Only a few things that you can carry with you and set up quickly and easily. Just remember: No wires all . . .
In Memory
Finding the right words to recognize and remember a loved one at a wedding ceremony can be tricky. Your couple is looking to acknowledge that someone special and recognize that the day isn't quite the same without their presence. When memorializing the deceased, it is important to find a balance. You want to show show the love, but you don't want to be a downer. Words to Say At the beginning of the ceremony, after welcoming and thanking the guests and sharing logistics, provide a reflection to commemorate the loved one. Consider some suggested language, below. Mix and match to . . .
Fees
How much to charge to officiate a marriage? This is one of the most common questions we get: What to charge for one's services? Of course, you don't want to undervalue yourself. Nor do you want to price yourself out of work. And, nobody likes it when someone is low-balling to undercut the "competition." So, what's a JP to do? Time is Money Think about your time. How much do you invest for each couple? Are you crafting personalized vows based on a lengthy interview process or do you have a boilerplate and couples get what they get and (you . . .
Tax Deductions
As a professional marriage officiant, your membership fees to the Justice of the Peace Association may be a tax deduction. That is because performing marriages is your business. Read on for more tax-related business tips. Disclaimer The following information is intended to be a helpful resource to our members. With this in mind, users of this material agree to the following: The Justice of the Peace Association is not in the business of giving tax advice to anyone. You acknowledge and agree not to hold JPus liable for any decision you may make based on your reliance on or use . . .
Marriage Fraud
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 . . .
Ceremony Length
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 . . .
Inclusive Terminology
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 . . .
Unplugged Ceremonies
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 . . .
Contracts Part 1 – Why they are Needed
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, . . .
Contracts Part 2 – Presentation
Now that you understand why a written agreement is needed, this article provides tips to know how to present the content. Simple Language When crafting written agreements that you'll use with your couples, it is best to use simple language that everyone understands. A well-written contact will prevent problems, and be the tool to solve differences. NOLO, an organization dedicated to supporting small businesses with legal guidance, says that most contracts need just two components to be legally valid: All parties agree on the terms Something of value is exchanged. For example, money is exchanged for a customized wedding service. . . .
Contracts Part 3 – Content
When creating the written agreement you'll use with your couples, think about the different scenarios that you might encounter. Then, make sure that you incorporate them within the document. To help, this article provides suggested content to include. Consider your agreement a living document. Meaning, revisit it regularly. With time you will think of additional points you'll want to mention. Wait! You don't think you need a written agreement? Check out our article Contracts Part 1 - Why they are Needed. Part 2 of our Contracts series discusses how to structure the agreement, when to introduce it and different methods . . .
Contracts Part 4 – Retainers
You've connected with the couple and everything went terrific. Or, so you thought. You agreed upon the date and fees. You heard their love story and immediately the ideas started flowing. So, naturally you got right to work. Oh, the excitement. You could anticipate the emotions as the words rolled out. But then - an abrupt, "We've decided on a different officiant." Or worse, silence. Ghosted. When working with couples, it is important to protect your own interests. You are important. You bring skills and passion to your profession. Your time is valuable. Until you receive a signed agreement and . . .