HOW DO YOU CREATE A CEREMONY SCRIPT?

I create your ceremony script using a series of questionnaires and your actual answers from them. There's one questionnaire you complete TOGETHER as a couple - this questionnaire allows you to provide all the important details for your ceremony such as time, place, location, what components you want included, etc. The next (and last questionnaire, I promise) is one that you each get and complete SEPARATELY. I ask questions about you, your relationship, and all the mushy lovey dovey goodness I can get my hands on to craft a unique and authentic ceremony script that reflects your journey together thus far and the promises you make on your wedding day for the future.

FAQS

How many weddings will you officiate in a day?

I will officiate a maximum of 2 weddings per day and only if they are at least 3 hours apart. This allows me to provide my couples with wiggle room should the ceremony begin later for whatever reason. 

DO YOU PROVIDE YOUR OWN MICROPHONE AND SOUND AMPLIFICATION SYSTEM?

No - But I hope to in the future! 

WHAT DOES A CEREMONY CONSIST OF? 

Booking with me looks like making a new lifelong friend. 

We get to know each other at the FREE consultation and make sure we're all on the same page and the right fit. Once you make the second best decision for your wedding (first being actually marrying your spouse!) by booking me as your officiant, provide your 50% retainer fee, and sign your contract, then we basically don't talk again until 2 months before the wedding.

2 Months before the wedding - I send your "Ceremony Questionnaire" and your separate "Get to Know You Questionnaires." 

The Week of the wedding, if you've booked Rehearsal Services, you'll see me at your Rehearsal.

On the Wedding Day (YAY!) I'll arrive at the venue 30 minutes early to do a mic check, touch base with the venue coordinator, and to assist in ensuring the ceremony is set and ready to begin. 

The mandatory legal components for a marriage ceremony in Ontario are:

- A Marriage License issued within Ontario
- 2 witnesses able to witness the ceremony and sign the marriage license, marriage registrar, and record of solemnization
- An Ontario Licensed Wedding Officiant to officiate the marriage
- A declaration of intent to be married

Everything else is up to you! 

What's a typical cermeony breakdown with all the different components generally included?

1. Officiant’s opening remarks - This is done before anyone walks down the aisle. It’s typically when I’ll thank your guests for coming and announce whether or not this is an unplugged/unleashed ceremony.

2. Processional - The process of the parents, bridal party and bride & groom taking their places.

3. Officiant’s Speech - Where we talk about the special love you share, read any poems/share any stories of your journey to this moment, and speak of the special promise that marriage is to one another.

4. Exchange of vows - You can publicly exchange personally written vows, or I can have you recite standard vows at this time. If you choose to read your vows privately to each other, prior to the ceremony/through exchanging vow books the morning of or during a first look, then I will explain you've already done so we'll move onto unity ceremony or marriage license signing.

5. Unity Ceremony (optional) - This is optional. Should you like to do a unity ceremony such as, ring warming, candle lighting, sand pouring, this is when we typically perform this portion of the ceremony. Please note, you are required to bring the supplies for the unity ceremony you select.

6. Marriage License Signing - This is when the officiant, bride, groom and two legally required witnesses step aside to sign the marriage license. This can be done at a different point in the ceremony if requested, or before or immediately after the ceremony, but I suggest doing so at this time to allow for a smooth exit down the aisle as a married couple.

7. Exchange of Rings - Both partners will be guided in exchanging rings and will recite words of intent to love and care for each other through your unity of marriage. ( Think " I,______ take ______, as my lawfully wedded wife/husband. Through sickness and health..."

8. Pronouncement - This is the Hollywood movie moment " I now pronounce you husband/wife and husband/wife, you may now kiss the bride/groom!"

9. Presentation - Here’s where the couple gets officially presented to everyone for the first time and what cues the recessional to begin (cue the big exit)

10. Recessional - The process of the parents, bridal party and bride & groom exiting the ceremony to finish it. .

what does booking with me look like?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW DO WE FIND OUT IF YOUR AVAILABLE FOR OUR WEDDING DATE?

You can check my availability by visiting my AVAILABILITY page HERE!

What do you, as the officiant, do at the rehearsal?

I pretty much run the show so you don't have to (which means I'm the one telling everyone to shhh and listen)

I orchestrate the ceremony, make suggestions on any changes that may help for the best photo ops or for functionality reasons. I offer expert knowledge about traditional etiquette and support in making your ceremony the beautiful moment it's meant to be 

do we have to do a wedding rehearsal?

Well, yes and no. Is it completely necessary? No. Does it help make sure the ceremony moves fluidly, yes. Everyone does things better when they've done them at least once before, and it allows for an opportunity to clarify how YOU as the couples want things to go and it's the perfect (and only) opportunity to work out any kinks that may come up and won't discover otherwise until the wedding day.

And if you have any littles standing, unity ceremonies, the "hollywood kiss," or if you just really want to make sure it runs smoothly, then I recommend having a rehearsal.

what does a rehearsal look like?

A Rehearsal generally takes place 1-3 days before the wedding, at the location where the ceremony is taking place, and generally lasts 45-60 minutes. The duration will depend on the components of your ceremony, the size and ages of the bridal party, and the prompt arrival of all who are participating. 

what happens with the marriage license and what do we do to get our marriage certificate after the wedding?

I send my couples an email the day after their wedding and explain the next steps, but here's some info:

After the ceremony, I placed the Record of Solemnization (this isn't a "legal" document, but it's good to have and use to ask for freebies and upgrades!) into your card box. 

I take your completed marriage license and mail it to the Office of the Registrar General where they will then process and register your marriage (this takes on average 8-12 weeks)

You apply for your marriage certificate online and once it's registered you'll receive your marriage certificate.