Ceremonies by Jan
Let me help you create a memorable event!
I am a Humanist Officiant, licensed by the Province of Ontario to perform legal, secular, non-religious weddings in Ontario. I also officiate celebration of life events, funeral ceremonies, and naming ceremonies. I can perform a variety of ceremony styles and either provide a fully-written ceremony for your day or work with you to build one that suits your style.
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Readings can be from my collection or you can provide them.
Poems, song lyrics, a meaningful quote -
I help you select the perfect additions to your ceremony.
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Contact me today to see what I can do for you!
Your Wedding Day
Your day can be fancy or simple, fun or serious, country-casual or urban-formal.
I will work with you to help make the ceremony memorable.
My greatest wish is that you look back on your wedding with a huge smile!
And don't forget about renewing your vows: five, ten, fifteen years or more after your wedding - it's a beautiful way to say I am proud to be with you!
Preparing for Your Ceremony
You must purchase a marriage license - this can be done at most Town or City Halls and must be done within three months of your wedding date. You will send a scan or clear photo of the licence to me as soon as you have it.
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You must select two witnesses, age 18 or older, who will be at the ceremony and will sign the documents with us.
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After the ceremony, when all documents are signed, I'll finalize the license and mail it to the registry office. I'll leave with you (or will mail to your home) the Record of Solemnization (an informal record of your wedding) and instructions for what to do next.
Approximately 12 weeks after your wedding you may request a marriage certificate from the registry office - this can be easily done online. There is the option of requesting an expedited certificate, if your circumstances require it.
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I work to make this as easy as possible for you, so you can focus on the joy and fun of the day!
About Me
My business was born when a friend who works as an officiant said "You'd be great at this!". And I love doing it!
It's an honour to be a part of such important moments in people's lives.
I'm an outdoor enthusiast, who enjoys camping, paddling, cycling, gardening, and sailing. I am an active volunteer: I spent 12 years helping to run a film series and introduced the films to the audience, handled special guests, and helped with events; I served on the board of a small professional theatre company; I edited the newsletter for a Bruce Trail Club; I've fund-raised for the Stephen Lewis Foundation; and more.
My professional and volunteer work have given me much experience with public speaking - with audiences from 12 to 400 people!
Reviews - Happy Couples!
Karen & Marc
Jan was a fantastic officiant for our wedding(s) - yes, that's right we did it twice in two days! We did an "elopement" type of ceremony for just the two of us and two days later repeated the ceremony for our 4 kids, blending our families together. Jan did a fantastic job of capturing the feel we were going for, and had many wonderful and wise things to say about marriage. Most importantly for us was how she incorporated our children into our second ceremony and helped put the focus on them. We wholeheartedly recommend Jan as an officiant and wouldn't hesistate to work with her again (10 year commitment ceremony perhaps!). Thank you so much Jan for providing an invaulable service to both of our special days.
We could not say thank you enough for the amazing ceremony you performed. You made our day very special and we could not have asked for anything better.
Our guests complimented you several times during our reception and they all felt your words and energy was perfect for us.
Jason and Franco
Alex & Jess
A huge thank you to Jan Smith for conducting such an honest and heartfelt ceremony at our wedding. Her words of wisdom about the true expectations of marriage, reaffirmed not only our belief in marriage but our guests as well. She made the mandatory requirements of the service just as endearing as the parts of the service we customized. She was warm, welcoming and eloquent bringing out tears of joys and some laughs as well. My husband and I, along with all of our guests at the ceremony, enjoyed every second. We truly can not thank her enough.
Sharon & Chuck
Thank you so much for an amazing ceremony! It was just perfect, even with me forgetting the ring.
Thank you for the personal touches!
Brianna & Chad
I just wanted to thank you again for such a lovely ceremony! Our family were all so touched and keep commenting on how intimate and beautiful it all was! They LOVED the hand holding ritual and were all very emotional during that part.
Chad and I are so happy with how everything turned out, and really appreciate you working with us throughout this hectic ordeal!
Many, many thanks from all of us!
What is Humanism?
Humanism is an ethical philosophy, which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. We believe in the building of a more humane society through ethics based on human and other natural values in the spirit of reason and free inquiry.
It is not theistic, and it does not accept supernatural views of reality.
TODAY I MARRIED MY BEST FRIEND
Rachel Elizabeth Cooper
Today I married my best friend,
Our bond complete, it hath no end,
We share one soul, we share one heart,
A perfect time – a perfect start.
With these rings we share together,
Love so close to last forever,
This special day – two special hearts,
Let nothing keep this love apart.