Sam Speer Enterprise Story

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Standing at the end of the aisle stood Brooke's future husband, Kyle Ramsey, and former KU journalism professor, Malcolm Gibson.

Gibson conducted Brooke Hesler and Kyle Ramsey's wedding ceremony on August 6, 2005 in Liberty Hall.

"We both wanted Malcolm to officiate our wedding.  It went back to an old joke the three of us had when Brooke and I worked at the Kansan and Malcolm was the adviser.  Brooke and I didn't always get along as co-workers, and Malcolm joked we would someday get married," Kyle Ramsey said.  "Not believing that would ever happen, Brooke joked that Malcolm could perform the ceremony."

Gibson is a perfect example of the online ordination trend, receiving your ordination certificate through the mail.

Kansas law states that not only can a marriage be performed by an officiant from any religious denomination or society, but the two parties can even conduct the ceremony themselves.  Online ordination can legalize a friend or even family member to conduct a ceremony between two parties that is recognized by the law.

Ordination, online or in a church, makes it possible for a ceremony to be conducted by a friend, relative, or even former teacher.  Gibson became ordained in 2004 to conducted a students wedding, and is performing his sixth ceremony in May.

"I interview people who've had a part in their lives, and I tell stories...that sometimes surprise the bride and groom!" Gibson  said.

Since it is increasingly easier to obtain an ordination online to conduct ceremonies, some people like the simplicity of it.

 "We wanted a ceremony that was less focused on religion and more focused on the celebration of our marriage.  We knew Malcolm would be happy to accommodate.  Instead of reciting versus from the Bible, Malcolm had gathered stories and memories from our friends and family to use in the ceremony," Ramsey said.  "It was both touching and embarrassing."

Although it is easy to obtain a do-it-yourself ordination certificate, there are other ways, for example through a church, to become ordained.  Ministers ordained either way can conduct weddings, funerals, and even ceremonies to share their beliefs.  But, some religions and countries have a much more thorough process in order to conduct ceremonies that are recognized by the church.

"For example the United Methodist church has many levels of ministry and I wish that weren't true.  It requires an ordained minister to have an undergraduate, a master's degree, and several years of appointment continuing education," religious lecturer Sherry Wright said.  "There is a high education expectation."

All religions have restrictions and regulations about the acceptance of an ordained ceremony, but the process to obtain ordination through the church is not always an extensive process. 

"Some people are just called to ministry and they are not extensively educated but some churches allow less rigorous level of education," Wright said.

While many weddings conducted in the United States are considered religious ceremonies, other cultures and countries do not focus on religion in the ceremonies.

"I do know that in countries that aren't particularly religious,  for example in China, weddings are not religious ceremonies," Wright said.

Traditions vary from culture to culture, but the customs and traditions are strong within that culture. In China there is a giving handkerchief and wishing good luck tradition while in Columbia there is a candle ceremony.  In India the focus is on the marriage of the families versus the marriage of the two people.

"I can say that in the United States, state law determines the legal domestic status of persons, except for the D.C and federal territories. I assume a state can determine by legislation or common law what formalities may be required to achieve marital status, including who may be married, who may officiate and what media may be used for the rite," Casad said. I assume the same is true of every civilized country."

While many religions and countries have different traditions and customs to ceremonies, the option of online ordination is still just a click away. 

"For us, it was a simple way for Malcolm to be able to officiate our wedding within the framework of Kansas law," Ramsey said. "Malcolm's ceremony felt more personal than most weddings I have attended."