American Marriage Ministries

What American Marriage Ministries does

American Marriage Ministries (AMM) is a Seattle-based, IRS 501(c)(3) certified non-denominational church founded on July 4th, 2009 by Glen Yoshioka, whose primary function is to ordain individuals as wedding officiants online at no cost. The organization operates a self-service online ordination platform that grants legal authority to conduct marriage ceremonies across the United States, with the exception of Virginia where AMM actively advocates for recognition. Since inception, AMM has ordained over 1,719,169 ministers across all 50 states and US territories, with those ministers collectively performing over 250,000 weddings. The technology stack is built around an online ordination platform with digital certificate issuance integrated with an e-commerce storefront selling physical credential packages, officiant apparel (stoles, badges, folios), training books, personalized marriage certificates, and event tickets. Supporting content and tools include a Wedding Officiant Training program, a library of 125+ ceremony scripts spanning numerous faith and secular traditions, the AMM Wedding Wall community platform, and the AMM Wedding Helper tool for ceremony planning, quizzes, and record-keeping. The free ordination is supported by a freemium model with three core paid packages: Minister Ordination Package at $49, Signature Wedding Officiant Package at $99, and Will You Marry Us Gift Package at $99, alongside supplementary units ranging from $10 to $65.

The business model is product-led growth with diversified revenue streams from one-time product sales (minister credentials, certificates, apparel, books), transaction-fee revenue from in-person Officiant Accelerator training events, and donations supporting charitable activities and advocacy. Distribution is entirely direct-to-consumer through the theamm.org owned storefront, with supplementary phone and mail order options and no third-party retail or distribution partners. Marketing is conducted via multi-channel content marketing through the American Weddings Blog (1,700+ articles), SEO-driven state-specific wedding pages, email newsletters, free virtual classes, and community engagement on the Wedding Wall. The organization maintains multi-state corporate registrations in Washington, Missouri, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Tennessee, holds carbon-neutral certification through Carbonfund.org, and has donated to over 100 other non-profit organizations including the American Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders. Customer segments include individuals officiating weddings for friends and family (primary), couples seeking personal officiants, professional wedding officiants seeking credentials and training, and marriage rights advocates. Headcount remains between 1 and 10 employees, governance rests with President Glen Yoshioka, Vice-President Dylan James Wall, and Officer Sara White, and the 501(c)(3) structure precludes venture funding, with no external investors or subsidiaries.

Name

American Marriage Ministries

Legal name

American Marriage Ministries

Website

https://theamm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

American Marriage Ministries is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides free online ordination to individuals across all US states, enabling them to legally officiate weddings, and generates revenue through sales of minister credential packages, officiant apparel, training books, and certification certificates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Sale of minister credentials (ordination certificates, letters of good standing), officiant apparel (stoles, badges), training books, and marriage certificates. Revenue is one-time per product with no annual fees for ordination itself.
2. Event Tickets: Sale of tickets to in-person training and networking events (Officiant Accelerator events) in various cities
3. Donations: Accepts donations from supporters to fund charitable activities and advocacy efforts

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

American Marriage Ministries provides free, instantly issued online ordination that is legally recognized across the United States for performing marriages, civil unions, and vow renewals. Beyond the free ordination pathway, AMM sells tiered credential packages — such as the Minister Ordination Package ($49) and Signature Wedding Officiant Package ($99) — that bundle physical credentials, certificates, and apparel, along with officiant training, wedding books, and ceremonial supplies. The 501(c)(3) non-profit also accepts donations to support its ministry and advocacy work.

Product overview

American Marriage Ministries operates as a platform offering free online ordination for wedding officiants, with a portfolio of physical and digital products. The core offering is the free online ordination process, supplemented by purchasable credential packages (Minister Ordination Package, Signature Wedding Officiant Package) that provide official documentation like ordination certificates, letters of good standing, and minister manuals. Additional products include training books ('Asked to Officiate', 'The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies'), officiant apparel and accessories (stoles, folios, certificate holders), and various marriage certificates in multiple designs. The organization also provides free training resources including a Wedding Officiant Training program and a library of over 125 ceremony scripts. The AMM Wedding Wall serves as a community platform for ministers to share their officiated weddings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• American Weddings Blog: The company's blog featuring articles on wedding ceremony trends, script writing inspiration, and tips for wedding officiants.

Products and services

• Free Online Ordination Complimentary ordination issued through the AMM website that legally enables the recipient to officiate marriages, civil unions, and vow renewals throughout the United States.
• Minister Ordination Package Starter credential bundle including ordination certificate, Letter of Good Standing, wallet ID card, and clergy badge, priced at $49. Designed for newly ordained ministers and friends or family officiating a single wedding.
• Signature Wedding Officiant Package Premium $99 officiant credential package that includes enhanced physical credentials, certificates, and supplies for ministers who perform weddings regularly.
• Will You Marry Us Gift Package Couple-purchased $99 gift package presented to the officiant to thank them for performing the wedding, bundling together keepsakes and credentials.
• We Still Do Vow Renewal Package Curated package of vow renewal materials, certificates, and ceremony items for couples renewing their vows through an AMM-ordained minister.
• Handfasting Wedding Officiant Package Specialty officiant kit themed around the handfasting ritual, bundling credentials and ceremony items for handfasting ceremonies.
• Ordination Certificate Formal printed certificate confirming AMM ordination, available as part of credential packages and individually as a replacement document.
• Letter of Good Standing Official letter verifying the minister's active standing with AMM, used to satisfy state and county clerk requirements for performing marriages.
• Marriage Certificate (Keepsake) Decorative marriage keepsake certificate priced at $10–$14, presented to the couple during or after the ceremony.
• Photo Minister Wallet ID Card Personalized wallet-sized ID card featuring the minister's photo and credentials, priced at $25.
• AMM Officiant Stole Clergy stole with AMM branding priced at $45, worn by officiants during wedding ceremonies.
• AMM Clergy Badge Badge identifying the wearer as an AMM-ordained minister, offered as part of credential packages and individually.
• Royal Officiant Folio Premium leather-style folio for carrying credentials and ceremony materials, available through the AMM Store.
• Regal Certificate Holder Decorative certificate holder for presenting marriage or ordination certificates at ceremonies.
• Minister Wallet ID Card Standard wallet-sized ministerial ID card included in credential packages and sold separately.
• Asked to Officiate (book) Wedding officiant guidebook authored through AMM, providing first-time officiants with practical advice and ceremony guidance.
• The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies (book) Reference book containing wedding vow examples and ceremony scripts sold through the AMM Store.
• Ceremonies with Integrity (book) AMM-published book focused on crafting meaningful, personalized wedding ceremonies.
• AMM Minister's Manual (book) Operational manual covering legal requirements, ceremony scripts, and best practices for AMM-ordained ministers.
• Lucky in Love (book) AMM-published book providing inspiration and guidance for officiants and couples.
• Navigating Your Wedding Ceremony (book) Book providing step-by-step guidance on planning and executing a wedding ceremony.
• Handfasting, From Ancient Rituals (book) Book detailing the history and practice of handfasting rituals for ceremonies.
• Wedding Officiant Training Free online training program that teaches ordained ministers how to plan, write, and deliver wedding ceremonies.
• Government Registration Services Service that guides ministers through state-specific marriage registration and filing requirements.
• Pricing and Marketing for Wedding Officiants Seminar Paid training event hosted by AMM teaching professional officiants how to price and market their services.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Carbonfund.orgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental partnership for carbon neutrality. AMM is certified as a carbon neutral organization, offsetting emissions from online ordination, shipping operations, commuting, and office supplies through forestry planting, energy efficiency, and renewable energy investments.
• Ocean ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental advocacy partnership supporting ocean conservation efforts. Part of AMM's commitment to leaving the planet a cleaner, safer place.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• WeddingWire: Large wedding vendor marketplace where officiants list services and couples find wedding professionals. Operates in the broader wedding services ecosystem where AMM ministers also operate, but is not a direct ordination competitor.
• Zola: Wedding planning and registry platform serving couples planning weddings. Touches an overlapping audience (couples and officiants) but is not an ordination provider.
• The Knot: Major wedding planning platform and vendor directory. Adjacent to AMM's customer base (couples planning weddings), but does not provide ordination services.

Direct peers

• Universal Life Church: The largest and most established online ordination service, also offering free ordination to officiate weddings. Direct competitor in the same online ministry/ordination space with similar free ordination model and merchandise store.
• First Nation Church: Online non-denominational church that provides ordination credentials for wedding officiants, with a similar model of free ordination plus paid credential packages.
• The American Fellowship Church: Non-denominational online church that ordains ministers for wedding officiating, competing head-to-head with AMM in the free online ordination market for wedding officiants.
• Open Ministry: Non-profit organization offering free online ordination for wedding officiants, directly competing in the same US online ordination niche as AMM.
• Rose Ministries: Online ordination ministry offering free ordination to officiate weddings, often bundled with paid credential packages, training, and apparel. Closely comparable in product offering and target customer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ammofficiants
• Facebookfacebook.com/American-Marriage-Ministries-1113149005497861

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Marriage Ministries