Things to Think About for Your Customized Wedding
It’s easier to plan and co-ordinate your wedding when you work with people you know to be good at what they do. Catherine Kentridge can refer you to people and places with whom she has been impressed. Please just ask if you need any recommendations.
The Ceremony
Once you’ve firmed up ideas for your wedding, Catherine will send you a draft written ceremony, which you will go through with her to help ensure your day reflects your wishes in every way.
The draft may include personalized vows, readings, greetings for guests, any special elements, and the schedule. It may also include the story of how you met and what happened next—this is often a much-appreciated part of the ceremony.
The Rehearsal
A wedding rehearsal is always a good idea. It helps with the flow of the ceremony and gives you an accurate idea of how long everything takes.
Rehearsals help you know what to expect and get over your nerves. It also gives you the chance to have your wedding ceremony twice!
Timing of the Wedding Rehearsal
Most couples book a rehearsal for one or two days before the ceremony.
Ideally, the rehearsal should be at the venue and as close to the time of day as the actual ceremony as possible. This is especially important for outdoor weddings so you can be sure no one is squinting into the sun during the ceremony—especially not the two of you!
This is your first chance to see, hear, and feel how your ceremony will unfold. Most venues are happy to let you rehearse on the Thursday before a Saturday wedding.
We were looking to find an officiant who would make our wedding ceremony be special, be unique, grab the attention of our guests, and most importantly speak to our hearts. Catherine was the perfect choice! Side-note… we asked Catherine to announce an extra surprise to our guests… that we were expecting a child! We trusted her that much, that we knew she would deliver this news with the perfect touch-- The crowd roared! Thank you Catherine for contributing so beautifully to one of the best days of our lives
The memories of our wedding day will forever be a reminder of our love for each other. We were happy that you could provide us the opportunity to share our love with our guests in such an intimate ceremony.
You were fantastic and the ceremony was absolutely magical. We couldn't have picked a better person to conduct it with such warmth and sincerity.
Thank you once again for delivering such a perfect ceremony on Saturday!! You have no idea how many people approached us and were raving about how wonderful you were!
Thanks again for taking the time to meet with us at such a late hour! We both felt that you were a perfect fit for us, even after a quick 30 minute chat. We loved your energy, your knowledge, and your beliefs/attitudes towards the wedding day. You have the perfect blend of formality and lightheartedness that we were looking for (and your love of cats sealed the deal!).
Your German was flawless and my family was highly impressed!
Hiring you to perform the ceremony is the best decision we’ve ever made!
After our wedding, so many people commented on how wonderful you were. You kept it interesting and fun and you were everything we could have possibly hoped for in an officiant.
People really enjoyed the way you told our story and your French was bang on!
Catherine was so wonderful that we’ve already had people ask for her contact information so she can do weddings for their relatives.
You are not only such a professional, but so warm, a lovely speaker, and did such an amazing job of customizing everything to our unique needs. I can’t tell you how many people remarked on just how wonderful a job you did.
We cannot thank you enough for your wonderful officiating of our marriage. We continue to receive praise for our ceremony. It was all we could have imagined, hoped and dreamed.
It was a pleasure working with you to create an interfaith ceremony that was intimate, personal, and most importantly, meaningful to us. We are so happy as we reminisce about our special day.
We were so thrilled with how it all turned out and felt that the ceremony you scripted for us was perfect. Your command of the audience was excellent and your suggestions really made for the perfect wedding.
At very short notice Catherine Kentridge agreed to come to our home and marry us in front of a couple dozen close friends. She was well-prepared, kind, and professional. I could not recommend her more highly.
You were like part of the family.
It was a joy to listen to you. Your voice is like music.
What a beautiful, elegant wedding. We are so glad we found you. You were just perfect for our ceremony.
What a lovely ceremony. You are a natural for this. You have such presence and radiate such a sense of joy. And your accent is to die for!
We have received so many compliments on the beautiful way the ceremony was set up.
You are a lovely speaker and a true professional—your guidance and advice on creating a custom ceremony was greatly appreciated! You were a delight to work with!
Thank you for giving us the wedding we had dreamed of for eight years. It was perfect!
Marriage Licence
As long as you are getting married in Ontario, you can obtain your Marriage Licence from any City Hall in the province, regardless of the actual location of your wedding. Applying for the licence is a process that you are required to do on your own. You will be able to obtain it within 90 days of the planned date of the wedding (but not before 90 days).
Many couples like to provide their Marriage Licence ahead of time so that Catherine can bring it to the ceremony; it is also then one less thing for you to worry about on the day.
About the Legalities
We sign the Marriage Licence during your ceremony and Catherine will mail it to the Registrar. If you would like a Marriage Certificate, you apply for this yourself not less than 90 days after the ceremony.
