Wanda L. De Coteau

Continuing review of reference materials , certificates, and random thoughts. .

I have made a decision to limit my Travel Range to the Eastern Half of Ct , East of Interstate 91, this saves me both travel time and costs. It saves couples travel cost ( consider what the current IRS mileage rates are). I do have some wonderful friends who are officiants , who reside on the other side of the state.

I continue my regular searches for new page frames and borders for my Unofficial Keepsake certificates, as well as my regular search for new Fonts to use in the certificates.

I also review my certificates for the ones to rotate out and which to keep or make a small change to. What is nice about my certificates being Commemorative Keepsakes is they can be done for anyone who would like something. For all the ones that are not a preset “fill in” form. I can create a custom certificate for anniversaries or other special occasions.

The other materials reviews I do are my reference materials packets, adding, editing, streamlining sections.

Justices of the Peace in Connecticut are appointed for 4 year terms. Each municipality has a limited number of Justice of the Peace slots, the slots are filled by appointment; 1/3 of the slots go to each of the 2 major political parties, the other 1/3 are made by the municipal clerk from the list of applicants. The terms run the same as the President. I am on the reappointment list for the 2025 term.

With the change in Ct wedding officiant regulations, Many of the local Justices of the Peace have More Open Slots in our schedules.

Why use a Justice of the Peace vs a friend or relative with an Instant Ordination? J.P’s are more familiar with the marriage license form and how to complete it correctly. J.P.’s have experience and often a good amount of materials that can help create a lovely ceremony, be that a longer more complex ceremony or something shorter.

Being in a Military Community, we often provide services for Military personnel who want a really short ceremony ” just for the paperwork” ,and then have “The Big One” at a later date and often “someplace else”. These ceremonies can be really fun and delightful to do. I have done a number on the lawn behind our local Town Hall or at the State Park down the road. Just the couple and sometimes a few friends.

Do folks Have to Dress Up to get married- No I’ve done ceremonies for a military couple on the deck of a dive boat. They wore matching Navy Sweats, I wore jeans and a sweat shirt. There were a few ” Shorts and Hawaiian Shirt ceremonies, and a few ” just got off work & need the paperwork for insurance etc, no time to change clothes. Only real requirement is Clothing that can be worn in Public.

Are Rings Required- No. The Ring exchange is a Symbolic Act , that reaffirms the Vows you just made to each other. they are Nice but Not Requires.

Witnesses- the Need for witnesses Varies by State- In Connecticut, Witnesses are Not Required. A witness can be nice – i.e. a friend or family member to take pictures.