Do Amish need a marriage license to marry?

Answer 1

Answer:

If an Amish person wishes to remain in the Amish community they must marry in the Amish Church. Both spouses must already be members of the Amish church in order to be married by the church. Many individuals do not join the church until they have decided to marry, at which time they will both go through instruction class and baptism into the Amish church. After this they will marry in the church.

It should be noted that most Amish do not have a church building, but rather have services in different homes. They may have an enclosed wagon to haul folding chairs to the site of the worship service. There are, however, groups referred to by others as "church Amish" which have a building.

Answer:

No, that's ridiculous. Amish should be able to marry Muslims in a Jewish temple for all I'm concerned.

Answer 2

Engaged couples must secure a marriage license, just as English couples do. A few weeks before the wedding, during a church service, the couple is "published," which means that a formal announcement is made to the congregation, letting them know that the couple is going to be married. Amish weddings are similar to an Amish church service, and are much different than traditional English weddings. There are no formal wedding gowns, no bouquets of flowers, no music, and no wedding rings. The sermons and Bible verses emphasize the relationship between husband and wife. The bride and groom and their attendants sit in chairs facing each other. When it's time for the vows, the bride and groom leave their seats and stand before the bishop. Each is asked if they'll remain together until death, and if they'll be loyal and care for each other during sickness, weakness, adversity, and affliction. The minister then takes the couple's hands in his and wishes them God's blessing and mercy, advising them to "Go forth in the Lord's name," and pronouncing that they are now man and wife. Following the service there's a wedding meal, which is a huge feast. It takes several seatings to feed all the guests, and another meal is served in the evening, for the young people. Hymn singing follows this meal.