Survey Responses: JPs and Weddings
How many weddings do JPs do? To
answer this question, we conducted an e-mail survey of JPs in
our four states for whom we had an e-mail address.
Although we think we have a representative sample of JPs, at
least in Connecticut and Massachusetts, we don't claim that this
survey is scientific -- just interesting!
Here's who responded: Of 160 survey
participants...
|
|
Number |
Percent of Responses |
| CT |
87 |
54 |
| MA |
65 |
41 |
| NH |
5 |
3 |
|
VT |
3 |
2 |
Respondents were asked about
the number of weddings they performed and their forecast for
2005.
Weddings 2004
|
|
None |
1-5 |
6-10 |
11-15 |
16-20 |
21+ |
| CT |
5% |
45% |
18% |
11% |
11% |
10% |
| MA |
2% |
12% |
22% |
13% |
13% |
38% |
| NH |
0% |
40% |
20% |
0% |
0% |
40% |
|
VT |
0% |
0% |
33% |
0% |
0% |
66% |
Clearly, there are significant
differences between the results in Connecticut as compared to
Massachusetts. In MA, a whopping 38% of the JPs performed 21 or
more weddings last year. If you add in the prior category (13%
did 16 to 20 weddings), you can conclude that more than half
(51%) of the JPs in MA did 16 or more weddings in 2004! This
compares to "only" 21% in CT doing the same number.
Corroborating this disparity, exactly half (50%) of the
JPs in CT did five or fewer weddings in 2004 and 68% did 10 or
fewer weddings. (We did not include the few respondents who are
brand new JPs in calculating the 5% of CT JPs who were
wedding-less.)
Here are some remarks from high-performing JPs.
You'll notice a theme here.
I'm going on my 15th year
as a Justice of the Peace and have officiated at almost 2,000
ceremonies. With each and every one, my love for them gets
stronger. I'm so happy doing what I truly love and feel
blessed that I am able to continue joining couples together in
love whether they be straight, gay or lesbian. Everyone
deserves happiness in their life and I hope I'm providing that
for them. Barbara M. Kahn, Malden, MA
This website is
a Great way to get weddings! Steven Mitchell, Simsbury
CT
You need to be passionate about each couple.
Deborah Stiewing, Newtown CT
I enjoyed doing every single one. For me, it is
a labor of love. Betty Ann Krayeske, Watertown CT
I love my job! Michelle Lydon, MA
I officiate at over 125 a year and love every
minute of it. Barbara M. Kahn, MA
Actually, I did more than 60 same-sex weddings,
plus another 15 bride/groom. A wonderful year. Claire
Watts MA
I primarily performed Vermont same sex civil
unions. A Vermont JP
Lots
more military, sadly. A.Christina Rovinelli,
Bridgeport, CT
Not only the busy JPs are enthusiastic.
I never thought I could get excited about a
career more than I was about my profession of recreation
therapist, but I have to be honest with you. I am excited
about this, and I love answering "the call." Such a special
thing we do!" Carleen Zembko, Union, CT
I would love to do more weddings. I love to see
all the families together for this special occasion in the
life of newlyweds. It makes for a very special day. I do
wonder what becomes of the couples I have wed and hope that
this union was the one for life! Karen M. Salwocki
Survey participants were
asked to forecast the number of weddings in 2005 vs. 2004.
2005 Forecast
|
|
Same |
More |
Less |
| CT |
54% |
42% |
4% |
|
MA |
46% |
49% |
5% |
|
NH |
40% |
60% |
0% |
|
VT |
66% |
0% |
34% |
According to these respondents, it doesn't look too bad for
JPs in 2005. The great majority think it will stay the same or
get better. What are their reasons?
- JPs are more flexible
I think that more and more people want more
personalized weddings and with a JP they can create their own
wedding ceremony. Bert Gunn, Chaplin, CT
The JP marriage is different things to different
people. It can be a long well-planned ceremony or a quick way
to a legally-binding marriage. In either case JPs provide a
real alternative. David Collins, Winthrop, MA
More and more I find couples are using JP's for
their weddings these days. We can add something special to
their ceremony. This is one of the reasons I became a JP. I
enjoy personalizing the ceremony for each couple. Susan
Pensivy, Middlefield, MA
It's a new era of traditional and contemporary,
multi-cultural ceremonies. Couples can work with a JP to write
a ceremony which is personalized and meaningful. Dorothy
Winrow Carpinteri, Dennisport, MA
- JPs are less expensive
More people choose JPs because they have been
together for a long time and cannot see spending a lot of
money on one day. Sharon Pickering, Dartmouth, MA
I think couples are looking for versatility in their
ceremonies and cost-effectiveness in their weddings overall.
JPs offer these options. Maureen Kiely, Weymouth, MA
- JPs are not bound by religious strictures
I believe JP's will be performing more weddings in
the coming years due to increased strictness of the Catholic
Church. I have already seen a 100% increase in inquiries from
couples that otherwise would have been married in a church.
Geoff Hulstrunk Watertown, CT
More people are getting married by JP's than in
churches. Sean Mowad, Bristol, CT
JP weddings are becoming the norm versus the
exception. Many are second and third marriages. Although they
may be religious, couples want a wedding on their terms not
those dictated by a particular religion. Gail Garrity,
Clinton, CT
I am performing marriages for couples from different
religious backgrounds. They tailor the ceremony themselves.
They like the fact that JPs are available to them. Gail
Sawyer Acton, MA
2004: A Big Year both For and Against Gay Marriage
All eleven states -- Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky,
Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma,
Oregon and Utah -- with amendments on the November ballot
protecting "traditional marriage" passed them.
Even gay marriage in Massachusetts -- the first
state in the union to permit it -- is under attack. Following
legalization on May 17, a proposed amendment to the state
constitution barring same-sex marriage was passed, although it
would allow civil unions. The measure requires a second passage
in the upcoming session of the legislature and then the approval
of voters in 2006. The proposed amendment is considered unlikely
to pass a second time, however, with the election of a more
moderate legislature last November.
A
positive development for same-sex marriage
late in the year
was the refusal of the U.S. Supreme Court to consider
overturning the Massachusetts Supreme Court decision legalizing
gay marriage. This essentially leaves the states to decide for
themselves whether to recognize same-sex marriages or not.
In Connecticut, a lawsuit has been
filed by seven same-sex couples who were denied marriage
licenses in Connecticut. Although Governor Jodi Rell is not in
favor of marriage for gay couples, neither does she favor an
amendment to the U.S. Constitution banning it, as proposed by
President Bush.
Interestingly, the states with the highest divorce rates
are Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi,
North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas. The states
with the lowest divorce rates are Connecticut, Massachusetts,
Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island and Vermont.
An interesting statistic even
if it means nothing!
On the subject of
gay marriage, Massachusetts JPs who do marry gays
continue to share their positive feelings. Here's a sample:
In the past months, I have officiated at many same sex
weddings, all of which have been joyous, most in the company of
family. Being a JP is such a fun experience. Elaine Baskin,
Worcester, MA
The change in the law to equalize marriage for same sex
couples was a wonderful and blessed thing! Sally Masters,
Easthampton,
MA
Connecticut JP
Manual "Revised" -- Few Changes Noted
Whether you're a first-time JP or a veteran, you should become
familiar with the JP Manual you received with your accreditation
package. (If you didn't, ask your Town Clerk.) Defined as the
2004 Revision, there were few major changes to the previous
(1997) version. The most important changes were those that went
into effect on Oct. 1, 2003, affecting marriage licenses, which
are worth repeating:
The couple can now obtain a marriage license from
either the town in which one of them resides or
the town in which the ceremony will be performed. As the JP
performing the wedding, it is your obligation to return the
completed and signed license to the registrar of vital
statistics (usually the town clerk) where the marriage took
place as soon as possible. (This last is an amendment to the
manual which you should be receiving from your Town Clerk.)
You are not required to give the couple a copy of
the license (or anything else) but we find that it is an
appreciated gesture if you give them a wedding certificate. (We
have several designs available on
www.jpUS.org should you be interested.)
The Manual also includes a suggested ceremony
(Schedule E) should you need help.
Besides marriage, JPs in Connecticut can perform
other functions we usually associate with lawyers. They can
administer oaths, take depositions, sign affidavits and perform
similar judicial functions. These are spelled out in detail
in the manual.
Commitment Ceremonies: Advice from a CT
JP
Do YOU Have Advice for
New JPs?
On January 5, 2005, many JPs in Vermont and
Connecticut took office for the first time. Some have
written to us asking for advice. So here's the
challenge:
Send
newsletter@jpUS.org one, two or three "most
important" things that a JP should know in order to be
successful. We'll print them in the Spring Newsletter.
Remember, you were once a "newbie" too. |
JP Eileen Cavanaugh writes :
I have performed several commitment
ceremonies in the past few years and some advice that I offer
to same sex couples is to find a good estate planning
attorney...
-
to write a WILL
for them
-
to write a LIVING
WILL for each
-
to execute a
CONSERVATORSHIP (Power of Attorney may not be sufficient)
document for each party should either one become ill or
incapacitated (mentally or physically)
-
and finally, and
if they co-own real estate, to form a REAL ESTATE
PARTNERSHIP. This way, if anything happens, everything is
spelled out very clearly as to the disposition of property
and the percentage of ownership of said property.
Memorable
Moments
Here's
a JP Memorable Moment that we read about in the Home County
News (Texas):
Ray and Loretta Fox recall a wedding on board a boat that had
a justice of the peace yearning to get back on dry land. “The
couple wanted to get married by a justice of the peace, and
they made the arrangements,” said Loretta. “The justice said
she would perform the ceremony while the boat was underway,
but she couldn’t stay for the entire cruise.” The crew tried
to make arrangements to have the justice taken off early, but
couldn’t find any way to do so.
“After the ceremony, we returned to the dock and let the
justice off. We found out later she didn’t have another
engagement, she can’t swim and is afraid of the water,” said
Loretta. “But she enjoyed herself and told us she might
consider another voyage.” How about YOUR Memorable Moment?
Send to moments@jpUS.org
Two Ideas from
Connecticut JPs:
It would be nice for CT JPs to meet with members of
the CT State Legislative to discuss adding new important
responsibilities for JPs. Tracey S. Chavis
Is there ever a social event, once a year,
possibly with workshops or speakers, and time to network in
person? Carleen Zembko, Union, CT. And Deborah
Stiewing has the same idea: I believe we have lots to
share and new ideas to "invent." A conference for all
Connecticut JP's would give us a foundation on which to
build.
We're thinking of organizing just such an event
for next fall, a JP meeting in
mid-Connecticut. What do
you think?
Let us know:
newsletter@jpUS.org.
|
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on
findaJP.com?
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your membership in
www.jpUS.org!
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Now's the time!
Click here.
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From the President
In the last four years, much (too much, in some
cases) has happened -- to the country, to the world,
and to me personally. In January 2001, when I became a
JP for the first time, I had never officiated at a
wedding. There was no on-line web site specifically
dedicated to Justices of the Peace. I knew nothing
about the "wedding business." You sure can learn a
lot in four years.
I think that the most important thing I've
learned was how much I enjoy officiating at weddings.
Part of it, to be honest, is that, in allowing me to
share the stage with the wedding couple, it fills my
latent need to perform. Even more is experiencing the
communal joy of a wedding. How can you not relish
being part of the happiness that is exploding all
around you? And the fees, though modest, don't hurt
either.
I've also learned a lot about the Internet
business. Mostly, it's that everyone expects
everything to be free. I know we'll never be a Google
or an E-bay. We've been able to keep our fees low
because we do all the marketing (me) and computer
stuff (Barbara) ourselves.
Speaking of "computer stuff," I would be remiss
if I didn't mention the extraordinary contribution to
actually running the site, publishing the Newsletter,
and doing ALL of the bookkeeping and record-keeping
that is provided by my partner and wife, Barbara Jay.
None of my ideas would be worth anything if she didn't
put them into practice.
And to all you Justices of the Peace out there, I
want to express my thanks for your support. After
every newsletter, the kudos roll in. It's wonderful to
be appreciated. (This is not a request for
compliments!) Also, Town Clerks have begun to
distribute this newsletter to their JPs who don't know
abut us, and some town websites even link to ours.
Thank you, Town Clerks!
And so, another four years begin. I hope you'll
join us for the ride.
Saul Haffner |
As always...
do let us know if you prefer not to receive this Newsletter
and we'll take you off the list. We continue
to welcome and encourage your feedback. Please send your
suggestions, comments and submissions to
newsletter@jpus.org
Saul Haffner
saulhaffner@jpus.org
|
