Frequently Asked Questions -With Thorough Answers
Planning a wedding comes with a lot of questions - and I’m here to make things as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Below, you’ll find answers to the questions I’m most often asked about my Officiant services, the ceremony process, legal requirements, and more.
If you don’t see what you’re looking for, feel free to reach out - I’m always happy to help!
WHAT DOES YOUR OFFICIANT FEE INCLUDE?
My fee includes ALL of the following:
Consultation and the crafting of your personalized wedding ceremony, with unlimited requests for updates and changes. I will work to create the ceremony that you are both comfortable with. Order of Ceremony preparation with as many consultations/revisions needed until you are thrilled with the results! The Order of Ceremony will be in writing and provided to you.
Access to resources to help you craft your Marriage Vows, as well as suggestions for other elements of your ceremony to consider, like Unity Ceremony ideas, suggestions for Affirmations, Intention Statements, Ring Exchange Sentiments.
Travel to and from the location of your ceremony, on your wedding day
Any parking or toll highway fees
Virtual rehearsal (via Facetime or Zoom – you will be armed with a complete document of the ceremony from Processional to Recessional
The Wedding Ceremony
Facilitating the signatures of the Marriage License, Record of Solemnization of Marriage and Marriage Registry documents during the ceremony.
Mailing of the Marriage License via a traceable courier method.
Safe-keeping of electronic copies of above-mentioned documents.
Prompting of letting you know when you can order your Marriage Certificate
DO YOU CHARGE FOR TRAVEL?
My fee includes travel to and from your wedding.
I charge for travel if you request an in-person wedding rehearsal.
DOES YOUR FEE INCLUDE A WEDDING REHEARSAL?
Yes, it includes a virtual rehearsal. I can be available of the date and time of your rehearsal via FaceTime, Zoom or even by phone. You will be armed with the written ceremony program, from Processional to Recessional and I will be there to help you facilitate the rehearsal.
WHAT IF I WANT YOU TO BE THERE FOR THE WEDDING REHEARSAL?
If I am available, I can certainly attend in person to facilitate the rehearsal! My fee for this is $575.00 + HST + travel to/from the rehearsal location.
DOES MY WEDDING CEREMONY HAVE TO HAVE RELIGIOUS COMPONENTS?
No, not at all. This is YOUR wedding ceremony. You determine whether you want any religious components or not.
WE ARE PART OF THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY. ARE YOU LEGALLY AND WILLINGLY ABLE TO MARRY US?
Happily, yes! 😊. Love is love, and I LOVE love! ♥️🌈
WHAT MAKES A WEDDING CEREMONY LEGAL IN ONTARIO, CANADA?
1. Registered Wedding Officiant (that’s me) You can check out my listing with the Registrar General of Ontario:
2. Marriage License – this document is absolutely required on the day of your wedding ceremony. Without it, a legal ceremony will not take place.
3. Two Witnesses; technically the witnesses can be of any age, however, I strongly recommend that they are 18+ years of age.
4. Marriage Vows. The vows, whether self-written or borrowed, read, recited from memory or performed as a repeat-after-me scenario, must decree an upmost promise to your future spouse.
5. Declaration of Marriage by the wedding Officiant.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MARRIAGE LICENSE AND A MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE?
A Marriage License is the legal document required at the wedding ceremony. Without this legal document, the wedding ceremony will not be legally binding.
A Marriage Certificate is another legal document that you can apply for AFTER your wedding ceremony. It is a document that you can use should you wish to change your surname, process a divorce (I know 😒) or as a record of family history. You are not legally required to obtain this document.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE?
You must apply for and pick up your marriage license no earlier than 90 days prior to the date of your wedding ceremony. It can be picked up from a Municipal Office, anywhere in Ontario. You do not need to apply to the municipality of where your ceremony will take place. Some municipalities require an appointment, some require two signatures on the license, and all will require legal ID. Municipalities charge various amounts for the Marriage License. It is best to research the office you intend to apply with, to determine their requirements.
Depending on where you live, you can apply for your Marriage License online, via Service Ontario. Find the link here for more information:
https://www.orgforms.gov.on.ca/mla/#/overview
ARE YOU ABLE TO PICK UP THE MARRIAGE LICENSE FOR US?
Unfortunately, no. It is illegal for me to obtain the Marriage License.
I HAVE BEEN MARRIED BEFORE. WHAT DO I NEED TO GET RE-MARRIED IN ONTARIO?
You will need to provide ONE of the following while applying for your Marriage License: the Final Decree of your divorce, the Final Judgement or your divorce OR the Divorce Certificate.
If you were married and divorced outside of Canada, there are many more steps to take. I can help to direct you to gather this information.
I AM A WIDOW. WHAT DO I NEED TO GET RE-MARRIED IN ONTARIO?
You will need to provide ONE of the following while applying for your Marriage License: Death Certificate of Spouse, the Funeral Director's Statement of Death OR a Court order declaring that your spouse has died.
DO I NEED TO LIVE IN ONTARIO OR CANADA TO GET LEGALLY MARRIED IN ONTARIO?
No! You are able to be wed legally in Ontario. What you MUST determine is whether this ceremony in Ontario will be legal in the country you live in.
HOW LONG AFTER THE CEREMONY CAN I APPLY FOR THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE?
It usually takes the Marriage Office of Ontario 6-8 weeks to process the Marriage License. I will connect with you to let you know that this time has passed and will send you the link to apply for the certificate online. Heads Up: the Marriage Office does not inform you that your license has been processed. That’s why I make it my business to reach out to you ☺️
HOW CAN I PROVE THAT WE ARE A MARRIED COUPLE, BEFORE I RECEIVE THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE?
There is a perforated section of the Marriage License that will be completed and signed by your Witnesses and myself. It is called the Record of Solemnization of Marriage, and I will leave it with a trusted person that you select, within a secured envelope. This is a document that you can use to prove your new marriage, immediately after your Ceremony. Some organizations will accept this document as proof of marriage for the purposes of changing your surname. However, some organizations will insist on only relying on the Marriage Certificate.
ARE WE EXPECTED TO INVITE YOU TO THE RECEPTION?
Oh gosh, no! My time with you ends right after the ceremony. It is very often that, because you will be inundated with sentiments of congratulations from family and friends, I often sneak away without a good-bye. I will send you a text that you can attend to the next day.
HOW DO WE BOOK YOUR SERVICES?
Upon the signing of a very straightforward contract, I ask for a deposit of at least $250.00. The remaining balance is due two weeks prior to the wedding ceremony date, or sooner.
IS THE DEPOSIT REFUNDABLE?
If you must cancel your wedding, the deposit will not be refunded unless I am able to book another ceremony on the same date.
DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION THAT I HAVEN’T ADDRESSED?