In the late 1970s Ted Simmons, a probation officer and former clergyman, became concerned about the way wedding ceremonies outside the church were performed. In his work in the courts, he saw couples arrive for a civil ceremony with a Justice of the Peace. After only a very few minutes, they would leave the office married, but looking crestfallen. The wedding ceremony was over. He believed that many couples wanted a ceremony with more dignity, meaning and significance than this brief legalizing…