1. We are trained ceremony specialists.

As a certified Lifecycle Celebrant™ with the esteemed Celebrant Foundation and Institute, I am a trained ceremony specialist. As a professional copywriter of many years standing I specialize in ceremony scripts that pack in ‘all the feels’ but are kept short, generally 20-30mns max.

2. It takes practice and expertise to deliver a speech to an emotionally charged audience.

Even a friend or relative with public speaking experience, quickly learns that public speaking confidence is not enough. Conducting a wedding ceremony means orchestrating an arc of emotion and sentiment that is inspiring and meaningful to the couple, with empathy for their friends and relatives. It is a very specific work delivered to an emotionally charged audience.

3. Friends often wander into personal sentimental reminiscence which might not be for everyone.

Something else to consider - stories about the couple are a gorgeous addition to the ceremony IN THEIR PLACE, but a friend or relative may tend to wander into sentimental reminiscence, which has no place in a ceremony. It takes skill to know how to weave meaningful yet appropriate stories into a ceremony.

4. This is what we do for a living so we take pride in our craft.

Professional celebrants like myself create and conduct wedding ceremonies for a living. It’s what we do and it’s what we were trained to do. We are good at it.

5. You will have to pay an extra fee to a registered officiant anyways to sign the legal paperwork.

Ceremonies delivered by friends not registered with the government are also NOT LEGAL in our province (British Columbia) and couples who choose that route will be required to pay a fee to a registered officiant to attend to sign the legal paperwork. NOTE: celebrants ordained with CIMM are not allowed to offer such a service.

As an ordained minister with the Canadian International Metaphysical Ministry I am a one-stop-shop, authorized to solemnize legal marriages in the Province of British Columbia.

I specialize in spiritual, inter-denominational, non-denominational and multi-faith ceremonies. I take care of all legally required paperwork though the marriage licence MUST be obtained by the couple) See my FAQ page for a list of all that I include in my celebrant services.

6. Many couples these days express a reluctance to include any ‘religion’ in their ceremony.

By ‘religion’ they usually mean those endless dogma-laden ceremonies we’ve all squirmed (or slept) through at some point. I prefer the word ‘spirituality’ and my standing as an ordained celebrant with the CIMM requires that my ceremonies incorporate spirituality. This can be anything that speaks to the couple and is meaningful to them. A reading perhaps (I provide some suggestions if needed) or even a favourite song lyric. Have a Taylor Swift song lyric that is significant to you and you’d like to include? Hey this is your wedding not mine – go for it! You can rely on me to offer honest advice if I consider something is wildly inappropriate.

7. From my years of experience I know which vendors are fabulous. I welcome questions and love to provide recommendations.

Remember too that while I do not offer planning services, as an experienced celebrant I will be happy to recommend other excellent pros and vendors, and I guarantee to work seamlessly and cordially with your venue.

8. Lifecycle Celebrants™ Code of Ethics

In conclusion, all Lifecycle Celebrants™ follow a code of ethics set out by the Celebrant Foundation and Institute, and the code has this to say about the ceremony. It is a driving force in my approach to wedding ceremonies.

To ensure that clients/honorees have complete choice of and final say over their ceremonies, and that the Celebrant's personal beliefs are immaterial to this process. To encourage clients in choosing and/or approving a ceremony that is satisfying to them.