Planning your wedding ceremony with me
It’s all about you!
Your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life. I am here to help you with every step on the way, and together we will create your perfect ceremony. You have to feel comfortable with every aspect of the ceremony. I will ensure your wedding ceremony perfectly reflects who you are as a couple and the love that you share.
Different Styles for Different Couples
There are many different ‘styles’ of wedding ceremonies- traditional, contemporary, ethnic or often a mixture of many styles. You may already have an idea of the style you want for your wedding. I can provide you with sample wording and you can choose from those samples. Or we can write something completely new. Many couples today want personal vows that they have written for one another to be included. Some have a special ritual or custom they want. We can do your wedding ceremony your way!
Wedding Ceremony Options
Personalized Wedding Ceremony
What’s included
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Initial consultation
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Two meetings to discuss your requirements and to personalize the service
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Provision of ceremony sample, template and alternate wordings
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Provision of readings suggested for you, if required
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Personalized wedding ceremony written for you
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Assistance in writing personal wedding vows, if requested
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Incorporating personal details
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Unity rituals, if desired
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Review of the Marriage License for correctness
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Officiation of ceremony on your wedding day
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Solemnizing the marriage
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Forwarding of documents through Canada Post to the Registrar General of Ontario to register the marriage
Simple Legal Ceremony
This simple and shorter ceremony is ideal for those couples planning a destination wedding, but want the legal requirements met in Canada, or for those who wish a modest and simple ceremony.
What’s included
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Initial consultation
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Provision of prepared ceremony
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Officiation of the ceremony on your wedding day
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Solemnizing the marriage
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Forwarding of documents through Canada Post to the Registrar General of Ontario to register the marriage
No Venue? No problem!
Sometimes finding a venue can be an issue. If you do not have a location for your special day, or if your planning time is shorter, I offer my picturesque and private backyard, with English gardens, wedding gazebo, waterfalls, seating for up to ten people, prosecco toast, and elegant charcuterie. In colder or inclement weather, the ceremony can be moved to the formal living room and dining room. Inquire about total costs for this beautiful, elegant, and private option.
Indigenous Ceremony
Living close to the Six Nations and New Credit Reserves, I will travel to these areas or to the Brantford, Haldimand, or Norfolk areas. I will ensure you have a legal ceremony, respecting traditional Indigenous practices. I will work with your Elder or alone to create a meaningful, profound, and joyous wedding ceremony for you!
The Wedding Ceremony
Steps in the Process
01
Availability:
Please contact me so we can determine if your wedding date matches my availability. If I am not available, I am happy to direct you to other wedding officiants in the region where your ceremony will be held. You may already have a wedding venue (location) chosen by this point, or you may still be looking.
02
Consultation:
We will then schedule an initial consultation over the phone, by Zoom or in person. We do this so I can listen to your thoughts about your wedding ceremony and understand what is important to you. At our first meeting, you are not under any obligation or pressure to make any decisions – including choosing me as your wedding officiant. If you have already decided to retain me as your wedding officiant, we will use this meeting to get to some of the details.
03
The Legal Details:
Once you have made the decision to have me as your officiant, you will need to complete some preliminary documents. I will inform you of the fee for service. My fees depend on the wedding ceremony you have selected and if there is any travel involved. Once you know the fee, I will ask you to sign a Wedding Service Agreement (contract) and you will make a deposit to secure your date. You can pay your fee by cash, cheque or E Transfer. The deposit will be half (50%) of the total fee owed, and it is due upon signing the contract. The balance of the fee (50%) is due 60 days before your wedding.
04
Together, we will collaborate and create the perfect wedding ceremony for you! We will finalize most the details of your wedding ceremony at this time.
Let’s make a beautiful ceremony:
05
The Marriage License:
(3 months before the wedding date) You will apply for your marriage license 90 days before the wedding date. You apply at your local municipal office and most have an online application option. Only you can apply for your license. I am not permitted to do that for you. Since the license is only valid for a 90 day period, you have to time this so the license is valid on your wedding day. Don’t worry! I can answer any questions you have about your marriage license. Once you get the license, I will ask you to send me a photo of it, so I can ensure everything is in order and correct. This avoids any embarrassments on the day of your wedding. I do NOT charge extra for the service of reviewing your marriage license to ensure correctness.
06
Final Details:
(Two weeks before the wedding date) Approximately 2 weeks before your wedding date, we will meet again either virtually or in person. We will walk through the final details of your ceremony such as the bridesmaids, the music, the procession, who will have the rings, how you would like to be standing and to address any other questions you may have.
07
The Rehearsal:
(One to two days before the wedding date) Some couples decide they would like to have a wedding rehearsal and I highly recommend it. It is normal for the couple and the participants to be a bit nervous in the days before the wedding, and running through the ceremony at a rehearsal often provides some reassurance. I usually book the rehearsal for the day before, or two days before the wedding. Please note there is an additional charge for this service.
If you want to look over the contract, I welcome you to download the Wedding Services Agreement in this fillable pdf.
Travel within the City of Hamilton is included. Travel outside of the city is at an additional charge of .65 per km to and from the officiant's home
Let's Begin Planning Your Ceremony
Ready to take the next step? I'm excited to start planning your dream ceremony.