Having a Friend Officiate Your Wedding
Meet our Guest Blogger: Enduring Promises is a trusted group of award-winning wedding Officiants who have the experience, expertise, resources and passion to help you create a personal, engaging and memorable wedding ceremony that you, your family and guests will remember for years to come.
You’ve picked the date, booked the venue and found your perfect dress. What’s next? Hiring the wedding
Life is so much sweeter when shared.
And we’re not talking about the one you love…
From inside jokes to mischief, venting and advice, and the best kind of knowing—these are our friends. The kind you share everything with—even the excitement when you got engaged!
Friends are the family we choose…
So when it comes to YOUR wedding, having a friend officiate makes a whole lot of sense—and we don’t disagree!
Friends have long been a part of wedding celebrations in creative and significant ways. Choosing a friend or family member as your “Day of Officiant” is right on-trend.
However, unlike the movies, it’s not an easy online application…
In Canada, a wedding must be officiated by a member of the clergy, a licensed officiant, or a marriage commissioner.
Though if you live in Alberta, you can apply to be a temporary wedding commissioner, the process takes about a week and is valid for one day. Other provinces, including Ontario, currently don’t have this option.
Interested in a work-around?
Here’s how Enduring Promises can help…
Set your friend up for success! With Enduring Promises, you will create your ceremony using our Wedding Portal. (Trust us, it’s not as intimidating as it sounds—we’re here to help. ?)
You will have the flexibility at your fingertips to choose exactly what part of your love story you want your friend or family member to share. You can also include a reading, or not, add a special element or incorporate a loving way to honour your parents.
A perfectly personalized wedding ceremony—with no surprises or stress. Your friend will be grateful, and YOU will bring the vision and feel of your wedding ceremony to life!
We’re guessing that your chosen “Day of Officiant” is great at public speaking. But, Enduring Promises loves weddings and knows a lot about them! We’ll work together to pull all the moving parts of your wedding ceremony into place…
We know the cues and the order of ceremony that works best. We can help point out where the best photo opportunities are, and when to step out of the photo!
We know processionals, recessionals, and everything in between! Whether it’s the nonverbal cues for the DJ or making sure your photographer/videographer captures that special moment (from just the right angle), to suggestions about the best spot for your parents to sit…
Booking a rehearsal will allow your Day of Officiant to “shadow” one of our professional Officiants. Providing the practical help your friend or family member will need to feel confident and ready as they learn to perform the wedding ceremony. Skip the homework and the stress!
Though your Day of Officiant can’t legally marry you, they will be able to perform the ceremony in its entirety. Your friend or family member will bring the perfect balance of love and sentiment, and we will support that.
On your special day, your chosen Enduring Promises Officiant will step in to hear your Statement of Intent and declare you legally married (even if it’s whispered) as you sign the marriage license.
We are flexible, and can legally marry you, publicly by taking over that part of the wedding. Or, as above, privately at the signing table—we’re always open to your ideas.
Weddings are all about heart and including a close friend or family member as your Day of Officiant honours the journey you share as loved ones.
Enduring Promises is here to help and support because…
Friends are the family we choose.
“Our experience with Angela was magical. We really wanted our Uncle to do the ceremony and Angela was so helpful in making this happen. She met frequently with us and with our uncle to make sure we had the perfect ceremony. At our rehearsal she was amazing for keeping everyone on track and is always quick to answer any questions. What we really enjoyed is that even after the wedding Angela reached out to assure us that if we ever needed to speak to someone that she would be there to help. We highly recommend Angela and Enduring Promises!” – Kelsey & Alex
