In talks about the problems with the New Hampshire special marriage officiant bill, Deputy Secretary of State Dave Scanlon asked JPus to submit alternative language for the bill. JPus’ proposed modification to the bill is below, in red. Proposed Language to Special Marriage Officiant bill Related Links Read JPus’ testimony to the NH House Judiciary Committee JPus submitted fiscally focused testimony to the Ways and Means Committee Learn about the problems with amateur marriage officiants here See JPus’ written testimony opposing the 2019 bill. Read all about the behind-the-scenes details of what happened during the 2019 spring legislative session. JPus’ […]
Search Results for "CT-Connecticut/town/ffdcty/New%2520Fairfield"
NH Special Marriage Officiant Bill – Judiciary Committee 2020
The Justice of the Peace Association submitted this written statement to the New Hampshire House Judiciary Committee opposing HB 1599, An Act Establishing a Special Marriage Officiant License. Additional information about the bill and JPus’ activity is below in Related Links. Related Links Learn about the problems with amateur marriage officiants here JPus submitted alternative language to HB 1599 to address the problems with the bill Read the text of HB 1599 here. See JPus’ written testimony opposing the 2019 NH bill. Read all about the behind-the-scenes details of what happened during the 2019 spring legislative session. JPus’ white paper about temporary […]
Zoom: Rescheduled Wedding Celebrations
Staying safe during the pandemic. It is easier with the support of fellow members. On Tuesday, April 27, 2021, JPus members got together on Zoom to catch up after a season of winter weddings. It was nice to reconnect with friends and to see new faces. Slowly, COVID restrictions are being lifted, gathering sizes are increasing and wedding venues are opening up. As couples plan postponed celebrations, officiants need to be prepared with strategies to guide ceremony decisions. Staying connected by Zoom is a membership benefit. Lively Discussion Performing marriages during the pandemic. It is easier with the support of fellow members. […]
The Rainbow Logo
One of the most meaningful wedding ceremonies I have performed as a New Hampshire Justice of the Peace was on Loon Mountain in September, with a panorama of the White Mountains before us. Rather than that priceless vista, however, it was the couple and our special connection that made it memorable. It all started when they came across a picture of me standing in front of a rainbow flag. The two women had wanted to be married for years but were stymied by the laws of their home state, North Carolina. When the US Congress repealed the infamous DOMA, the […]
What’s the Difference Between a Legal Marriage and a Wedding Ceremony?
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 […]