HOW DO YOU CREATE A CEREMONY SCRIPT?
First, I want to say - My goal, is to have it sound like I'm a life long family friend that's up there telling your story.
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
cAN SOMEONE ELSE "EMCEE" OR CEREMONY?
YES! Have a family member or a friend that would be an amazing Emcee and make your ceremony that much more memorable? Pick the "Legal during Ceremony MC'd by Other" package. You can choose to have me complete the legal proceeding ( just those few minutes during the signing) and have them do everything else EXCEPT SPEAK THE WORDS " I declare/pronounce you Husband and Wife" Legally - that's my line. Or they just don't say it and tell you to kiss. THAT, or - we take care of the legal proceeding prior to the Ceremony, and your chosen Emcee just states that "this is a Symbolic Ceremony, as the legal signing was done earlier today prior to the ceremony," and I like to tell them to add in that it's because they wanted to bestow the honour of them Emcee your ceremony. It's the truth!
I can even provide a written Ceremony Script for them, that they can either use word for word or just use as a good building block, for an additional $75 fee.
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 vibe and are on the same page and the right fit. I accepted a long time ago that I am not everyone's cup of tea - I'm more like a shot of tequila. And that's okay, that's why it's free!
Once you make the second best decision for your wedding (first being actually marrying your spouse!) and say YES to booking me as your Wedding Officiant, you'll need to complete the following to reserve your date: Review and sign your contract, provide your $100 non-refundable retainer fee to SAVE YOUR DATE!
Then we basically don't talk again until 2 months before the wedding - that's when your invites are out, writing vows, mapping out your Ceremony, etc.
( DON'T FORGET! - I Coordinate your Ceremony as an included service.) Either it me, you two and the Venue Coordinator - or if you're working with a Wedding Planner/Coordinator (hit me up for those recs., I work with amazziinngg people) then we Collaborate on making everything the way you're envisioning.
2 Months before the wedding - I send your "Ceremony Questionnaire" and your separate "Get to Know You Questionnaires." And we try to book your Rehearsal.
The Week of the wedding, if you've booked Rehearsal Services, you'll see me at your Rehearsal - Bridal Bouquet in hand to HAZAAH that baby in your dip kiss.
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 (Must be at least 16 years of age)
- 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 so YOU don't have to be the bad guy)
I coordinate 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.
I also bring a Bridal Bouquet with my for you to use and help practice that dip kiss!
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.
***IF YOU BOOK ANY MUSIC/EMCEE SERVICE, YOU MUST BOOK 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). I send every marriage license through Xpresspost and provide a Tracking Number for you to at least see when they received it.
You apply for your marriage certificate online and once it's registered, you'll receive your marriage certificate in the mail.
YES! I'm thrilled to say I now offer Music Services to couples who are looking to add music services for their Ceremony, Cocktail Hour and a limited time in the Reception. Any Music Service added to your booking will include the use of 1 speaker and 1 wired microphone for the duration of the services booked.
****DISCLAIMER*** I AM NOT A DJ - My 1st recommendation for Music IS and ALWAYS will be to book a DJ or a Musician. Period. My option is a step up from your friends bluetooth speaker, with the advantage of someone, who is not your friend/family member, operating the spotify playlist and introducing you (if applicable)
You MUST include a Rehearsal if you wish to add music services - no Rehearsal required for Microphone+Speaker Services only.
DO YOU OFFER MUSIC SERVICES AS WELL? YOUR OWN SPEAKER, MICROPHONE?
Fair question! But that is a HARD NO. I am NO DJ. Just a tech savy gal who want's to help couples who never planned to have a DJ for their Ceremony in the first place - like I explained above, I am a set up from a bluetooth speaker, with the advantage of having someone, who is not a friend or family member, operating your playlist and/or introducing you. I am in NO WAY a DJ and will always, always ALWAYS recommend hiring a DJ or Musicians for your Reception.
And no, my equipment is not available to "rent" for the evening, it comes and goes with me.
will you "dj" our entire wedding? Or can we "rent" your speaker/mic?
How many weddings will you officiate in a day?
In general, I only accept ONE WEDDING A DAY! So I can dedicate all of my attention to ONE couple each day. I will officiate a maximum of 2 weddings per day & only if they are at least 1 is a legal signing only, or an emergency situation I'm helping with.