Procedures For A Location Wedding
SOME ANSWERS FOR YOU
1. What do I require to be married in Ontario?
To be married in Ontario you must be 18 years of age. You require a marriage licence and must have two witnesses, they can be of any age but it is required that they be of age to know what is happening.
A marriage licence can be purchased at the clerks office at any city hall or Ottawa Client Center's, and is good for 90 days. There is no waiting period in Ontario to be married. i.e. you can be married the same day as you purchase your licence. If divorced you must wait 30 days after your divorce papers are filed. See our section on Government Regulations, Ontario and Ottawa City Hall to understand their procedures and you can download a Marriage Licence Application Form and Marriage Certificate Application Form from here.
2. When should I book my Officiant?
As soon as you book your venue you should then book your Officiant. Summer months are the busiest, one year in advance is not too early to book. Off season weddings November-April do not require booking so far in advance. A good rule of thumb is as soon as you know the date of your wedding book your Officiant.
3. How do I book with you?
After you have contacted me either by phone (613-489-2678) (Cell 613-290-7869) or
e-mail. I will send you an information package; in the package is an information form and a sample ceremony you have chosen. Complete this form and return it to me by e-mail this will confirm the date and time of your ceremony. Forward a $100 a 90 day non-refundable deposit made out to Rev. David Hunter and send it to The Stable Ministries at 6387 Third Line Rd. S., North Gower, K0A2T0. At the planning meeting I invite you to pay for the balance. Once a deposit cheque has been received another confirmation e-mail well be sent to confirm your date.
4. Do I need to meet with you prior to booking?
No you don’t however; some brides and grooms choose to meet with me prior to booking. In most cases they call me by phone and decide if we connect. Most of my marriage ceremonies are done on a referral basis, many brides and grooms have attended weddings that I have conducted.
5. Do we have a wedding rehearsal?
In all the years of conducting marriage ceremonies I have never found it necessary to do a rehearsal. A planning meeting is set 4-6 weeks prior to your wedding. At this time we shall go over your entire ceremony so that on the day of the wedding you will know exactly what is going to happen. I encourage you to have a walk through with your attendants the night before your ceremony. I do not need to participate in this rehearsal. I can provide you with an easy step by step rehearsal guide.
6. What will your Officiant wear?
This can be decided at the planning meeting. This is dependent upon the type of marriage ceremony chosen and also on the faith level of the couple or the family. I can wear a cleric collar or a tie.
7. What time will the Officiant arrive?
I will arrive within 20-30 minutes prior to the start time of your ceremony to see if all is in ready and work with any venue coordinator and I will leave approximately 45 minutes after the designated time Most ceremonies last approximately 30 minutes. If there is a significant delay in starting the ceremony it may be necessary to shorten it. If I have another wedding to attend and your delay is extremely long I may have to leave and return at a later time. There could be an additional fee for this.
Starting on time is extremely important not only for your big day but for the Bride I see after you.
8. What happens if for some reason the Officiant is unable to conduct my ceremony?
I would arrange to have a colleague conduct your ceremony.
9. What name do I use to sign my marriage documents?
You sign with the same name used to obtain your licence.
10. When should I have the planning meeting?
I suggest you contact me directly to set up your planning meeting no later than 30 (thirty) days prior to your ceremony and once you have your marriage licence. (There are some exceptions to this). You will leave the marriage licence with me at the planning meeting. In the meantime, if you have any issues or questions at any time prior to the planning meeting please free to contact me. I will be happy to help.
11. Marriage Licence
Please purchase the marriage licence at any City Hall in the Valley. Remember a licence is only valid for 90 days. For a Marriage Licence Application click here.
12. Record of Marriage
After your ceremony you will receive the “Record of Solemnization of Marriage” that is detached from the licence. This section is an interim document but not a legal record. I will immediately mail Section 7 of the marriage licence to the Government to register your marriage.
13. Marriage Certificate
Twelve weeks (longer in the summer months due to volume) following the ceremony you must apply for a formal Certificate of Marriage from the Government of Ontario which proves your marriage is registered. A Wedding Certificate is now mandatory for any change in other documentation, especially for Drivers licence and Passport. A copy of the detached “Record of Solemnization” given to you by me must be sent with your Certificate Application. For a Marriage Certificate Application click here.
14. Ceremony
A template marriage ceremony of your choice will be sent to you by e-mailed. I encourage you to adapt the ceremony to your desires (though most choose to use the standard ceremony). I will work with you to create a ceremony that fits your needs. A final draft must be agreed upon with the couples' approval at least one week before the ceremony.
***Important: Any change in start time/date must be cleared with me due to conflicts that may arise.
15. Emergency numbers
I will leave my private cell phone number with you at the planning meeting.
16. Horror of horrors if this should happen.
If for some reason at all you have made plans, paid your down payments to all the vendors and sent you invitations and yet your papers have not arrived. Be assured your wedding day is not ruined. We will conduct a ceremony and sign documents and no one will be the wiser. We will get together at a later date upon the receipt of the documents and we will perform the wedding at my Chapel at no cost. All is not lost.
Believe me this has happened.
If you have any questions and concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.
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