Questions and Answers
Q. How long does a ceremony take?
A. We tell couples the average length of time is 15-20 minutes, but could be
more or less depending on the couples wishes.
Q. Can we include children in the ceremony?
A. YES children of all ages can be included in the ceremony. They can be ring
bearers, flower girls, part of the bridal party, assist with readings or anything
you may wish to have them involved in. If you don't know what you would like
but want the children involved, we can make suggestions. Even those still
learning to walk can be accommodated.
Q. Do we have to memorize anything, vows for instance?
A. NO, you may do so if you wish, but it is best to just repeat them.
Q. Can we write our own vows?
A. Yes, we encourage your to be creative. You can even write words for the
exchange of rings. In fact you participate and contribute as much as you
would like to during the creation of the ceremony you wish to use.
Q. My partner does not speak English well, do they have to say anything
during the ceremony?
A. Yes. However, generally only an affirmative response to a series of
questions, such as simply stating "I DO" or "YES". Often we have both
partners in the marriage simply say "I DO" for the vows for example by
changing from "Please repeat after me" to "Do you, "Name of the Partner",
take "Name of the other Partner, to be your "Husband / Wife or Partner", to
have and to hold, etc. At then end the partner simply says "I DO".
Q. When does the officiant arrive at the venue for the ceremony?
A. Your officiant will generally arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of the
ceremony. This allows them to ensure the ceremony area and items
being used are prepared, such as signing tables, tables for other
ceremonies which may be included such as candle or sand ceremonies.
Q. Can pictures be taken at the ceremony?
A. Yes. We encourage couples to have a photographer, videographers and their
family and guests take as many pictures and videos' to capture one of the
most wonderful moments in your lives.
Q. Is a rehearsal needed?
A. No, but I recommend as do many moms, wedding planners and bridal books,
that the couple and their bridal party should walk through the processional,
where each person is placed during the ceremony and the recessional. You
may not need your officiant to be present. If you wish your officiant to be
present, there is an additional fee. However, during our planning meeting we
do discuss much of this so you can hold your own rehearsal. If you wish, the
planning meeting can be scheduled to coincide with a rehearsal at no
additional costs.
Q. Do you travel outside the Greater Toronto Area?
A. Yes. Travel to locations outside of the normal area of service generally has a
surcharge for primarily travel cost or if an overnight stay is required, possibly
the cost of lodging (i.e. such as a trip to Ottawa or Windsor for example).
Otherwise an estimated costs of travel for gas is calculated at $0.10 per km
outside of the circumference of the service circle (north of Barrie, west of
Hamilton, east of Cobourg).
Q. We just want to elope, can you assist?
A. Yes. We can officiate a small ceremony at my home or your home or friends
home. We also offer simple signing ceremonies for this purpose.
Q. We want to get legally married before we head to or return from a
Destination Wedding, can you assist?
A. Yes, We can provide a simple signing ceremony for this purpose.
Q. What if we cannot get a marriage licence in time for the wedding
ceremony?
A. There are a number of reasons why a marriage licence has not been obtained
prior to the wedding. However, most wedding venues, photographers,
limousine services, caterers, musicians or DJ's have been booking in advance
with some non-refundable deposits. If this should occur for whatever reason,
we are prepared to officiate the ceremony (you will not legally be married after
that) and have you sign various documents to make the ceremony real to your
guests. Then we get together once you have obtained the marriage licence
and perform a simple signing ceremony to make the marriage legal on that
particular date of the simple signing.
Q. What if one or both of us is divorced?
A. There is not problem getting a marriage licence, providing you have proof of
the divorce and the divorce occurred in Canada. If the divorce took place
outside of Canada the couple must apply to the Registrar General of Ontario
for permission to obtain a marriage licence and this can take a few weeks to
several months.
Q. When should be obtain our marriage licence?
A. You should obtain it before our planning meeting which takes place no ealier
than 30 days before the wedding. The marriage licence is valid for 90 days
from the date of issue.
Q. Can a child be a witness?
A. In Ontario the legal requirement for witnesses is that they know right from
wrong and have an understanding of what they are witnessing. So YES a
child could be a witness.
Q. Can there be more than 2 witnesses (say 4 or 6).
A. You can up to 4 witnesses, as space on the marriage licence, record of
solemnization of marriage and marriage register do not have space for more
than 4. I often provide a second record of solemnization of marriage made up
with a number of places for witnesses along with who the witnesses are, by
name. I have had one certificate with 17 witnesses which also included one
pet dog with his dog print. we make up the document on a special certificate
type document.
Q. What does the officiant wear when officiating the wedding?
A. Your officiant wears what the couple wishes them to wear. There are a
number of optional forms of dress for the officiant when they celebrate the
wedding depending on what the couple would like them to wear such as:
Business Suit, Shirt and Tie
Business Suit, Shirt and Tie with Stole
Business Suit, Shirt and Tie with Robe
Business Suit, Shirt and Tie with Robe and Stole
Business Suit and Clergy Shirt and Collar
Business Suit and Clergy Shirt and Collar with Stole
Business Suit and Clergy Shirt and Collar with Robe
Business Suit and Clergy Shirt and Collar with Robe and Stole
Highland Outfit-Kilt, Shirt and Tie, Day Jacket, Formal Sporran, etc..
Highland Outfit as above adding clergy stole
Highland Outfit as above adding clergy shirt and collar
Highland Outfit as above adding clergy shirt, collar and stole
Tuxedo (Black Tie)
Business Casual (slacks and shirt without tie)
Other outfit provided by couple or sourced for couple by officiant:
Referee outfit - football, baseball, basket ball, etc. themes
Ring Announcer for boxing theme wedding
Santa Clause suit for themed wedding
Monk outfit for renaissance theme wedding
Movie character for movie theme wedding
Other theme weddings as requested.
POPULAR FORMS OF DRESS:
Business Suit with Shirt and Tie
Business Suit with Clergy Shirt, Collar, Robe and Stole
Highland Dress (when both piping and officiating or when only
officiating) - the couple may have already arrange for
another piper or have a friend that is a piper.
Q. When both officiating and piping for a wedding how does that work?
A. The couple chooses the piping services they would like to include. Then
if they have chosen for to have the bridal party and the bride piped in either
as a group or separately or only the bridal party as the bride will be entering
to a different form of music, the piper plays the bridal party in then goes back
and plays the bride in if this was requested. Once the officiant / piper plays
for the final entry, the then complete playing and put down their pipes, pick
up the ceremony and begin to officiate. Following the signing of the
marriage register, licence, etc., the officiant picks up their pipes, then comes
to the front of the bridal party, introduces the couple, asks everyone to greet
them warmly and commence to pipe the bridal party out, if this was requested.
The officiant often pipes in the groom and groomsmen as they would not
come into the ceremony area with them to get the groom, etc. to their places.
NOTE: I often suggest to the couple that they not tell their guests that the
piper will be also officiating the wedding, when it unfolds, the family and
guests often comment later that they will remember the couples wedding
because it was unique having the piper both piping and officiating.
Q. Is there an additional fee for the officiant to also pipe for the wedding?
A. Yes. However, the fee is reduced substantially as the piper is already on site
officiating the wedding, compared to what would be charged to have the piper
only piping for the wedding. It does cut the cost when both services are
provided.
