Bridal gowns and tuxedos are not required to get married. Nor are wedding bouquets, veils, and a gazillion bridesmaids and ushers. You can do without them all, but one thing you can't get married without is a marriage officiant. You can make your wedding as free form as you like, as unique and one-of-a-kind as both of your personalities. or you can walk down the straight and narrow aisle with a traditional ceremony. If you're still trying to decide between a civil ceremony and a church wedding, either is okay with the Province of Ontario. All it requires is that your marriage officiant must be a person who has been authorized by the Office of the Marriage Registrar. He or she does not have to be a member of the cloth. So if a civil service is that you decide on, that's fine with the Canadian government. If on the other hand you see yourself walking down the aisle to the sound of Here Comes the Bride, you can have a minister perform the ceremony. However Ontario does require that if you take this route, the minister marriage officiant must be authorized by the governing body of her particular denomination in addition to the Office of the Registrar but don't let this concern you. These two authorities have long worked together on the matter and most ministers already have dual authorization.

The good news is if you're still having trouble deciding which type of ceremony you want, I just may be the marriage officiant for you . Allow me to introduce myself. I am Gabrielle Stein, M.Div. Those letters after my name stand for Master of Divinity. As for the Office of the Marriage Registrar, since I've been officiating at Ontario weddings for 19 years, so you just may say I have long standing authorization! You will have to decide which type of ceremony is right for you, but as far as I'm concerned there's no need to make the decision right now. I can marry you no matter which you decide.

So, go on, see to all those other matters calling out to you. Stop worrying if you'll ever find the right marriage officiant near me (you). Come, let's talk. Find out why I am the Officiant of Choice in Barrie.