Bill of the Day: Legislators officiating weddings

Magnolia Tribune brings you a Bill of the Day for the 2024 Mississippi Legislative Session that just may pique your interest.

Today’s Bill of the Day comes from State Representative Hank Zuber (R) who believes elected lawmakers in the Mississippi House and Senate should have the authority to officiate weddings.

According to HB 148, state Representatives and Senators could function like that of an ordained minister or judge and perform legally binding weddings.

Other individuals recognized to solemnize marriages include Rabbi’s, pastors, other religious leaders and judges. Justice court judges and members of the board of supervisors can also oversee officiating weddings within their respective counties.

Rep. Zuber, the bill’s author, said several lawmakers have been approached in the past with requests to perform weddings.

“Unless you’re a licensed preacher, you cannot do it and I thought this would help our constituents,” said Zuber.

If the bill passes, you could have your own lawmaker officiate your wedding as early as July 1, 2024.  

Fellow Coast legislator State Senator Jeremy England (R) chimed in regarding their thoughts on the potential new responsibility.

“It would be an honor to be involved in what is supposed to be such a long lasting, binding agreement between two people,” said Senator England. “I would question why there wouldn’t be a better option than me but if people want me to see them bound in holy matrimony, I would be honored.”

In 2022, the New York Times reported an uptick in weddings at 2.5 million expected for the year, the first time that number has been reached since 1984. A large factor in wedding planning was restrictions placed on large gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic beginning in 2020.