Member Support

Articles to improve your JPus experience and maximize the power of your membership

Support Topic: The Ceremony

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 . . .

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 . . .

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 . . .

Commitment Ceremonies

There are many reasons a couple may want a commitment ceremony without actually getting married. As a professional who performs all sorts of lifecycle ceremonies, of course you'll oblige. Why Not Tie the Knot? The particular reason a couple chooses not to make their union legally binding is peripheral. Despite that, it is important for officiants to understand some circumstances that could be driving decisions. Marriage is a legal act that may influence child support, alimony, divorce settlements One party is already married to another and for whatever reason cannot or will not end the previous marriage One or both . . .

Are Vows Required?

A common question we receive from JPus members is about the vows. Couples don't want to say them. "Just sign the license", they may say. They just want to be -- married. So, what's an officiant to do? The answer depends on the state. But, none of the states that JPus/findaJP is active in requires any specific language to be used. Review the Requirements in: Connecticut | Florida | Maine | Massachusetts | New Hampshire | Vermont Connecticut No specific words must be said between the couple. Rather, the officiant must make sure that the marriage license has the correct . . .