Your Wedding

Welcome to my weddings page, with information and ideas about the wedding I can perform for you!

Our Consultation

 

...has already begun!

With the information on this page, you're ready to start putting together ideas for the wedding you want.

With time, care, and my complete and personal attention to what you need, we can create the ceremony you deserve – for one of the most important moments of your life.

 

Creating a Personalized Ceremony

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Service

(*) denotes legal elements

 

Prelude

 

Processional

The wedding party arrives at the front or centre; I can suggest many ways.

 

Gathering Words, Announcement and Welcome

As your Officiant, I can warmly welcome guests, singling out children, parents, and other special honoured guests for introduction where appropriate. The couple may also welcome, or join me in welcoming, their own guests. I can also make any important or helpful general announcements.

 

Homily

In a Homily, I begin to move from the general welcome of the Gathering Words into a welcome to what brings us here today – a welcome to marriage, what it means and what it gives. I can talk about what I've learned about you, what you've found in each other, and what lies ahead...

 

Declaration of Intention*

This is a legal element. Partners declare, freely and without reservation, that they have come to be married. Support from the gathering can be included here, after vows or exchange of rings, or after the pronouncement or introduction. A handfasting can also fulfill the requirements of the Statement of Intention – call or email me for more information and ideas.

 

Betrothal and Exchange of Vows

This can be incorporated into the Declaration of Intention, or follow from it. I call you and your partner to each other. You may use traditional vows, write your own vows, or we can craft vows together during our consultation.

 

Vows can be read individually by the couple, or by both parties alternating. I can lead you and your partner in the process, where you repeat the words after me. At times like these, memory can fail the best of us!

 

Exchange of Rings

The Exchange of Rings is one of the most celebrated rituals to seal your vows. We can follow the most traditional form – "With this ring, I thee wed..." Or create a new tradition to seal your vows.

 

Reflection

 

Declaration and Pronouncement of Marriage*

This is another legal element. As your Officiant, I pronounce you married. Unlike most legal requirements, you can mark this one with a kiss. :)

 

Signing of the License, Solemnization and Register*

This includes the final legal element, and it involves the couple, Witnesses, and the Officiant. As you and your partner prefer, we can sign these publicly, within the ceremony, or privately afterwards.

 

Benediction and Closing Words

 

Introduction of the Couple

 

Recessional

 

After The Ceremony

 

Congratulations!

 

After the ceremony, I give you and your spouse a Record of Solemnization of Marriage. It gives the names of the bride and groom, their witnesses, and my name; and the Record is dated. I will also sign and attest to the Register. The Registrar-General of Ontario can issue a Certificate of Marriage from the information I send them if you should decide to apply for this. This Certificate is not necessary for a legal marriage, and the record will be permanent, so they will always be able to issue a certificate, now or years from now.

Small Weddings: A Simple Alternative

 

You should know that I also offer short, private weddings.

 

Like a wedding at City Hall or in a judge's chambers, the couple, two witnesses, and no more than a few other people join me at your place or mine.

 

Working together, I can help you develop a ceremony that's completely unique; that's custom-tailored to you, your partner and the people around you.

 

The following model outline suggests possible stages and staging of the ceremony. Take it as a starting point: Read, think, and imagine how each step could fit in your own ceremony.

 

Throughout the Service

 

Readings and Thoughts

Family and friends can share thoughts and feelings, in their own words or in the form of readings. I would be honoured to offer my own thoughts, and to suggest readings for the entire party.

 

Music

You can incorporate both background and foreground music. Music can shift to mark different stages of the ceremony. Think about music appropriate for the prelude as guests are arriving, for the processional, the signing, and the recessional. Think about special music you could include – "your song," a performance by a professional musician, or one of your family or friends...

 

Rituals

A ritual can be included as part of the Declaration of Intention. The Exchange of Rings is only the most famous. Think about how you could symbolize your union with flowers, or a planting; with wine, or water, or a traditional food... As we put together your ceremony, I can offer many possibilities, and you can choose what speaks to you: a tradition you can truly make your own.

 

Positioning

In the processional, and once the wedding party reaches the ceremony stage, where does each participant stand? And how will guests be positioned? Again, I can offer a wide variety of ideas.