FOUR Required Areas of Competency

WM Certification is based on demonstrated competency in the following four broad areas:

Professional Ministry
This includes an understanding of present day culture and how to minister with integrity in ways that reflect your values and beliefs. Professional ministers know what to say and do in a variety of common wedding ministry contexts to provide encouragement, spiritual support, wisdom and guidance to those being served.

Ceremonies, Traditions and Rituals
Among other things this includes creating original personalized ceremonies for a variety of couples from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.

Working with Couples
This includes effective interviewing skills, basic wedding coordination and conducting a rehearsal.

Wedding Day and Officiating
This includes administrative and legal duties, pastoral sensitivity, pre-ceremony routine, officiating, and communication skills.

To protect the integrity of WM Certification both for ministers and brides, we maintain high standards for demonstrated proficiency. Otherwise WM Certification would carry very little weight or credibility and thus be of no value to you or brides.
 

Four Steps to Waiver Petition

There are four steps to petition to waive the training requirements for the WM Certification program.

Step One: Complete Application

Complete the WM Certification Petition Waiver Application at the bottom of this page and submit the $197 WM Certification Petition Waiver fee.

Step Two: E-mail Wedding Ministers, Inc. the following:

• a copy of your diploma from any professional ministry training program and/or institution
• an original interfaith wedding (complete manuscript, outline, or whatever form you use)
• an original Christian wedding
• an original non-denominational, personalized ceremony
• a minimum 10 references from brides, including name and phone number
• a minimum 10 references from fellow wedding vendors (particularly wedding coordinators) you have worked with, including name and phone number

The e-mail address is WMC@weddingministers.com. NOTE: Submitted materials are used ONLY for purposes of determining acceptance or denial of the waiver. You retain all proprietary rights to your materials.

Why do we need these? The diploma verifies your previous training. Your three original ceremonies help us discern your written communication abilities in the context of weddings. References from brides and vendors give us objective feedback to the quality of your ministry.

Step Three (optional): Send Video

Mail a VHS video or DVD (professional or camcorder – it does not matter) of you performing a ceremony. The video/DVD allows us to access your current officiating proficiency and communication skills. A good video carries more weight than any other step since it allows us to see you first hand at work. A link to an online video is also acceptable.

Send the video to Wedding Ministers, Inc., 590 W. Main Street, PMB 160, Santa Paula, CA 93060.

Step Four: Written Responses

After we receive your application and e-mailed materials (and optional) video, we will e-mail you several wedding ministry-related questions. Complete and e-mail them back. Responses demonstrate understanding of wedding ministry and application to common ministry scenarios. You will then be notified that your waiver petition is approved or denied.

Once approved, you immediately become WM Certified. We would then send you the artwork with the WM Certification Seal for use on your website and any other promotional materials you might use. You will also receive a link to a personalized page that both explains WM Certification and confirms your status as a WM Certified Officiant. CLICK HERE to view sample.

To return to previous page, click HERE.

 
WM Certification Petition Waiver Application
 
   
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  First Name  
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* Date ordained

* Ordaining institution

How many weddings have you performed?

Any Church / Synagogue pastoral experience?

      Yes
      No

If yes, when?

  • from to
  • what denomination or faith?
  • Name of church / synagogue,       city                                                      state
                           

Education – Years Completed

            
Other:

Degree(s) earned                 Date                                         Name of Institution

Current occupation:

I currently have an account with WeddingMinisters.com.

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