FAQ

“We cannot express our gratitude enough to Avril for her wonderful service performing our wedding. Her kind words and warm personality made our day less stressful as we didn’t have to worry. We would definitely recommend Avril to anyone who asked. Thanks so much for everything you did for us on our special day!!“

Do we need to pay a deposit to book our wedding ceremony?
Yes, the retainer to book Avril as your Officiant for your wedding ceremony is 50% of your total and is non-refundable. This secures your date and time in her book and allows Avril to schedule her wedding days well in advance.

Do you perform same sex wedding ceremonies?
Yes! I am a 100% LGBTQIA2S friendly and safe wedding Officiant! I am always inclusive and prefer to simply call them wedding ceremonies.

Where do you perform weddings?
Couples in Toronto, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Bowmanville, Newcastle, Port Hope, Cobourg, Grafton, Brighton, Belleville, Trenton, Kingston, Uxbridge, Port Perry, Lindsay, Peterborough, Millbrook, Bailieboro, Durham Region, Northumberland County, and the Kawartha Region can count on their ceremony being beautiful and memorable with Avril as their wedding Officiant.

My parent is in the hospital in palliative care with only a few days to live, my partner and I would like to get married in their hospital room with them as soon as possible, can you help us?
I am so very sorry you and your family are going through this, it is never an easy thing. I am happy to come to the hospital to perform your marriage ceremony for you – I pick a nice, simple ceremony and encourage photos, flowers, and any other details you can pull together on such short notice. I do not charge for hospital weddings though please have your marriage licence ready for when I arrive.

Can we write our own vows?
Absolutely! I simply ask that your vows be sent to me in advance so I can add them to the wedding ceremony and we will all work from the same script. I print them off so there is no need for you to remember to bring your vows with you.

Can our friends and family participate in our ceremony?
I always welcome friends and family taking part in marriage ceremonies by doing readings and poems. Some of my most memorable weddings have included moms reading poems and friends sharing the readings.

Do you have any extra ceremonies we can add to our wedding?
Additional Ceremonies may be adding to your wedding ceremony such as… Chuppah Ceremony, Blessing to the Four Directions, Handfasting Ceremony, Hands Ceremony, Mother’s Rose Ceremony, Ring Warming Ceremony, Family Medallion Ceremony, Seven Blessings, Veil, Cord, Coins Ceremony, Jumping the Broom, Wine Ceremony, Unity Candle Ceremony, Sand Ceremony, Unity Canvas Painting Ceremony, , Rose/Flower Ceremony, Quaich Ceremony, Affirmation of the Community, Love Letter & Wine Box Ceremony, Ribbons, Doves, Butterflies & Bubbles, Breaking the Glass, and any other ceremony you might like.

Can we have a non-religious ceremony?
Absolutely! Most of my couples choose spiritual ceremonies that are authentic to their own beliefs.

Can we have a religious ceremony?
Yes, as an ordained Chaplain and licenced Officiant I can perform any kind of marriage ceremony you like.

We don’t want God mentioned at all in our ceremony, can we do that?
Yes, very few of my couples choose any kind of religious or God based ceremony.
We focus on love and spirituality around here!

Can we have children involved in our ceremony?
Of course! I often come up with ways for children to take part in marriage ceremonies. Keep in mind children are sometimes unpredictable and don’t always do what we want them to do when all eyes are on us. I’m always prepared to move on if the little ones don’t want to take part when the time comes.

What do you wear to wedding ceremonies?
I usually wear a LBD (Little Black Dress), heels, and a nice scarf. Should you like me to wear robes as well please let me know. If your wedding is themed I am happy to wear a costume or dress to fit your theme.

Will you make announcements for us before or after our ceremony?
Yes, absolutely! I usually ask everyone to turn off their ringers and keep their phones below their eye level. If you would like more announcements such as unplugging, photo locations, reception location or any other announcements please let me know in advance so I can add them into my notes for your wedding ceremony.

What do you do when you arrive at the ceremony location?
First things first – I get the licence and find a quiet spot to get the paperwork prepped for the signing table. I speak with whomever is to be standing at the front with me – the bride or the groom – to decide if I will wait at the front an they will come when they are ready or if we will walk up together. I speak with the photographer to plan how we will get the best photos for you. I mingle and chat with people who are arriving for your ceremony and take photos for my social media and website. If the bride is on site I try to pop my head in to say hello before we get things started.

How long will you be on site for our wedding?
I am usually there for about an hour if we get your wedding ceremony started on time. I arrive 30 minutes prior to our scheduled ceremony time and leave shortly after we are finished.

How long is the average ceremony?
Most ceremonies last about 20 minutes from the time the first step is taken down the aisle to the time I introduce you has a married couple. When we add the extra ceremonies like sand, ring warmings, roses the ceremony gets longer. I try to stick to 30 minutes or less especially when we are standing out in the sun and heat.

How do we book you?
To book me as your wedding Officiant just hop over to my contact page to send me a message through my website, or email me directly at ChaplainAvril@yahoo.com. Please include your ceremony date, time, and location.

Is there a travel fee?
There is a travel fee for events located outside of the Port Hope and Cobourg area. Travel fees are based on distance, time, and gas prices.

How much do you charge?
All of my fees and packages can be found on my price page.

When is the final payment due?
Once the retainer is paid and your wedding booked, the final payment for Officiant services is 30 days before your ceremony date.

What If we need to change our ceremony start time or date?
While I try to be as flexible as possible in accommodating changes, I cannot guarantee my availability for a date or time change. Please let me know as soon as possible if you plan to change your wedding date or time so I can try to find a solution for you.

Do you come to our wedding rehearsal?
At a wedding rehearsal you are simply practicing walking in and walking out, but not the ceremony itself. There is really no need for me or any Officiant to be there unless we are doing something really unique that we all need to practice together. Should you really feel you need me there as your Officiant to run the show for you, the rehearsal fee is $200.00 plus travel. If your rehearsal is Monday – Thursday we can book it in advance. Friday and Saturday rehearsals are booked no more than 2 weeks in advance and are based on my availability.

Our friend wants to be our officiant – will you sign the paperwork for us afterwards?
No. The laws of the Province of Ontario dictate that Officiants perform a ceremony that meets the legal standards of the Marriage Act. Without this step your marriage could be flagged as invalid, and my Officiant licence would be at risk. I uphold the standards of the Province and the religious body I belong to, and am licenced through, and am happy to perform a quick marriage ceremony for you the day before, day after, or morning of your wedding so your friend can do whatever you like – though keep in mind they cannot present themselves as an Officiant, Officiant in training, or perform any of the legal portions of you wedding ceremony the way a licenced Officiant can. I do welcome friends and family taking part by doing readings and reciting poems.

We were already married in secret, can you perform a ceremony for us?
Yes, I will perform a commitment ceremony for you. I bring a certificate for all of us to sign so your friends and family see us doing what looks like signing the paperwork. As your officiant I guarantee couples confidentiality so if anyone asks about the missing legal wording I will let them know we created a ceremony that suits the two of you.

Do you perform elopement ceremonies?
I do! Elopements are usually performed through the week between 11am and 2pm, and Saturday mornings in Port Hope. Elopements outside of Port Hope may have a travel fee added to your total. All of my fees and packages can be found on my price page. .

I have a few favourite locations we can use at no cost. I also have a few more private locations that do have a small venue fee. Or if you choose we can perform your ceremony in your garden or living room! Elopements include a 5 minute ceremony and no editorial control and no preview of the script – it is just the legal basics and a little bit of love.

Please bring 2 witnesses or let me know you need me to hire witnesses for you. Hired witnesses are paid $25.00 each which is added to your total.

Do you stay for the reception?
I love to stay if I am invited in advance and I am available after your ceremony. I always appreciate being invited to spend more time with you and your friends and family, though I do sometimes need to move on to my next engagement. If I am able to stay, at your invitation, I am happy to perform the blessing before dinner as my gift to you.

We will be tipping our other vendors, do we tip our officiant?
Please tip the people who work for your contracted vendors. As I run my own Officiant business there is no need to tip me. I do love referrals and reviews if you feel you would like to do something extra for me.

We would like to book you, how do we do that?
To book me as your Officiant just hop over to my contact page to send me a message through my website, or email me directly at ChaplainAvril@yahoo.com. Please include your ceremony date, time, and location.

Check out the questions I wish couples would ask me!