The Program

Welcome to Wedding Ministers' WM Certification Training Program. The WM CertificationTraining Program is intended to provide basic training in all aspects of wedding ministry and officiating. It is the comprehensive and specialized wedding officiant training program in the world. Those who satisfy program requirements will have demonstrated competence in all basic understanding and skills of the wedding ministry profession.

Areas of specific training include:

  • Standard wedding protocol
  • Various faith-based and/or spiritual weddings
  • Non-religious or civil weddings
  • Interfaith weddings
  • How to care for your couple
  • Non-verbal communication
  • Public speaking
  • Performing ceremony rituals
  • Wedding ceremony resources
  • Reference skills for couples who want to write design their own service/vows
  • How to run a wedding rehearsal
  • Wedding ceremony coordination/working with other vendors
  • Working with coordinators
  • Private weddings
  • Legal and administrative duties
  • Extravagant weddings
  • Officiant responsibilities
  • Designing personalized ceremonies
  • Working with couples
  • Working with families
  • 2 nd marriages
  • Integrating children
  • Elopements
  • Preparation timeline
  • Listening skills
  • Professionalism and personal integrity
  • Blessing the marriage
  • Handling the unexpected
  • Preparing for marriage – what couples are going through
  • Being flexible
  • Helping couples write their own vows
  • ... and more

In addition to the four basic certification courses (beginning March 1, 2006), we will offer additional business and marketing courses and seminars for helping you plan, market, and develop a thriving growing business tailored to you and your particular market area. These will be available beginning Fall 2006.

WM Certification Training Program Required Courses

Those enrolled in the program are required to successfully complete

WM 101 – Introduction to Wedding Ministry (4 units)

 

  • The New World of Wedding Ministry
  • Wedding Minister Administration
  • The Wedding Minister
  • The Work of Wedding Ministry

 

 

WM 201– Wedding Traditions, Rituals & Ceremonies (4 units)

 

  • 64 Wedding Types
  • Religious and Secular Ceremonies
  • Common Rituals / Ceremonies
  • Non-Denominational Ceremony Design

 

 

WM 202– Working With Couples (4 units)

 

  • Attracting and Booking Weddings
  • Creating a Personalized Ceremony
  • The Wedding Rehearsal

 

 

 

WM 203– Wedding Day and Officiating (4 units)

 

  • The Wedding Day Cast
  • Before the Ceremony
  • Officiating the Ceremony
  • Public Speaking for Wedding Ministers

 

 

 

Elective Courses

Building Your Business (available Fall, 2006). Includes two seminars:

  • Seminar: Creating a Business Plan for Your Wedding Ministry
  • Seminar: Setting Yourself Apart: Marketing for Wedding Ministers (including internet)

Expanding Your Services (memorials, blessings, baptisms, etc.)

How To Become WeddingMinister Certified

  1. Complete the application form. The admissions director will respond (usually within 48 hours) and answer any questions you might have.
  2. Once your application is processed, you may choose to register for one course at a time or take the entire program (WM101, WM201, WM202, WM203) at once.
  3. Pre-register for either the National Wedding Minister Training Certification Seminar in Anaheim, California (held the first weekend each December) or a regional WM Certification Training Seminar in your area. On your pre-registration form, be sure to check the box for the WM Certification Training Seminar you will be attending. If you are not sure which, you may complete this step later.
  4. Submit tuition fees for course or entire program (payment plans and work study programs available). Upon receipt of payment, you will receive your course or complete program materials by mail (usually within 2-3 business days).
  5. Complete required pre-conference reading, exercises and written assignments. You may submit your written course work either electronically by E-mail or by postal service.
  6. Upon completion, receipt and written approval of your written work for all four core courses, you become eligible to apply for provisional WM Certification with all the rights and privileges of fully certified wedding ministers, including use of WM Seal of Certification on your web site and any other promotional materials you may publish.
  7. Upon notification of receipt of your provisional WM Certification application, you become provisionally certified and included in WeddingMinisters.com's listings of WM Certified officiants.
  8. Attend one-day Wedding Minister Certification Seminar. You must attend and participate in a certification seminar to become WM Certified.
  9. Prior to the end of the conference if you had not previously applied for provisional certification, you should apply.
  10. Once you have performed and submitted response forms for 25 weddings, you may apply for full WM Certification. Provisional certification can be extended for up to two years.
  11. Upon written approval of your final course work and all tuition paid, full WM Certification and privileges pertaining thereto is granted.

Who is the instructor/coach?

You will be trained personally by program director Rev. Dr. Charles W. Laird, president of Wedding Ministers, Inc. and author of “The Effective Wedding Minister Series" featuring four books and over 250 pages of text covering the essential knowledge and practical skills required to be a professional wedding minister.

Dr. Laird was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in 1989 after graduating with a Master of Divinity degree from University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. In 2004 Dr. Laird earned his Doctor of Ministry from the world-renowned Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Dr. Laird pastored churches in Iowa, Oregon, Minnesota and southern California. He has trained hundreds of men and women for effective and successful ministry for over 18 years.

Dr. Laird takes a personal interest in helping ministers make a difference, not only earn an income. His involvement in your training includes:

  • Review your written assignments
  • Lead WM Certification Training Seminar
  • Review your post-wedding personal evaluation forms
  • Email correspondence / support

For more information on Dr. Laird, click HERE or on "Program Director" in the menu at the top left of the page.

What happens at the WM Certification Training Seminar?

The seminar combines supportive encouragement, discussion, and practical hands-on training. Ministers will be presented a variety of challenging wedding ministry situations -- all real/true -- and discuss how each might be best handled. Each minister officiates a mock wedding of a ceremony they design prior to the seminar. Participants learn from watching each other and discussing the positives of each ceremony. Throughout the day, ministers have opportunity to raise wedding ministry questions and gain helpful insights both from the instructor/coach and fellow ministers.

Will any of the courses help me get my business started?

Yes but only indirectly since this is a ministry program rather than a business course. The purpose of the courses is to help you meet the minimum performance requirements for demonstrated competency in the primary aspects of wedding ministry/officiating to earn a professional credential.

For starting and/or enhancing your wedding business, we will be offering an outstanding course entitled, “Building Your Business,” and two practical workshops: "Creating Your Wedding Business Plan" and "Setting Yourself Apart: Marketing for Wedding Ministers" (Enroll in both the WM Certification program and the Successful Wedding Business course and workshops and save 50% off the business course).

Can I petition for WM Certification without going through the whole program?

In some cases. Our desire is to increase and more aggressively promote the number of true professionals in our field for couples seeking to get married, not simply to enroll people in our program.

New ministers and/or those whose ordinations did not require prior training and meeting minimum performance standards must complete the WM Professional Wedding Ministry Certification Training Program and pay all associated fees to qualify for WM Certification.

Wedding ministers with many years experience may petition for WM Certification without completing the required program. To review the petition waiver process, CLICK HERE.

Each case is reviewed independently and objectively based on equivalent standards and competency. Successful petitioners may then apply for WM Certification with no additional academic or performance requirements.

Successful petitioners who nevertheless wish to enroll in the program may do so for one-half the normal tuition fee.

How do I apply for the WM Certification Training Program and when can I start?

You may apply online or send in your application by mail. If you choose the second option, you should download the application to your computer, print it off, complete the application and send to Wedding Ministers, Inc., 590 W. Main St. Suite 160, Santa Paula, CA 93060. Be sure to include on the envelope "ATTN: Certification". Applications are being accepted now. One your application is accepted, you may then register for either the entire program or individual courses and pay tuition. Your books will then be shipped.

Ready to apply? Click HERE or on "Apply Online" in the menu at the top left of this page. Or call toll free (877) WM-CERTIFIED (877-962-3784).

How long does it take to complete the course?

That is up to you. This is a self-study course so you may progress at whatever pace best fits you and your particular circumstances, whether it takes a month or a year or longer. You have up to two years from date of admission into admission to complete the course and apply for WM Certification.

What if I need help from the instructor?

Your course materials include information on how to contact your instructor/coach.

How much does the program cost and what is included?

To view current tuition rates and payment options, click HERE. Tuition includes the home study / online WM Certification Training course(s) and registration for your WM Certification seminar.