I was lucky enough to chat with Cole about being an Alberta adventure officiant for eloping! He provided so many details about hiring an officiant for your elopement.
What are the benefits of hiring an officiant?
Knowledge and experience. Things happen on your wedding day so why not have a person on your team who has dealt with situations and knows quick solutions. Also your paperwork is so important to be filled correctly. So having an officiant who knows the process is key!
What tip(s) would you give someone eloping when it comes to selecting an officiant?
You want to hire someone who suits you as a couple, and your vision for the wedding you are planning. Do you want the ceremony to be a romantic and captivating moment with all eyes on you? Or do you want someone who will take control and guide the process with energy and fun? The tone of the ceremony sets the pace for your afternoon and party so your officiant is a bigger part of your day than just legalizing your paperwork.
What are the different types of ceremonies you offer?
My favorite is the hiking elopement. Adventure and intimate!!!!
The other types are:
Civil ceremony – for those getting married in Mexico or other destinations basically if you are just looking for the legal side of things.
Elopement – I would define this as mostly outdoors and under 20 people.
Wedding – Larger guest list and typically at a venue.
Vow renewal – I love to help couple celebrate the milestones in the years together.
What can a couple expect during their ceremony?
Customization and personalization. I use questionnaires and video calls to get to know my couples. This allows me to tailor the readings and the general ceremony to their personalities. I love to incorporate family traditions or something cultural.
Can the couple change the script of the ceremony?
They can influence the script any way they like. Except for the legal exchange set by the province. Those vows are legally binding and have to be repeated.
What are some ways couples can make their ceremony unique?
I ask my couple to think of their hobbies and pastimes together. What is something you love? Something meaningful you both can share?
Here are a few beautiful ideas to make your ceremony even more personal:
Wine Box Letters – Write heartfelt letters to each other and seal them away with a special bottle of wine. Then, open it together on your first or fifth anniversary to relive your wedding day and see how far you’ve come.
Sand Ceremony – Pour different colored sands into one bottle to symbolize your lives blending together—never to be separated. This one’s especially popular for couples with kids or blended families, and it’s such a sweet way to include everyone in your love story.
Handfasting – is becoming much more popular. Its a step on top of ring exchange to show the intertwining of lives together.
I have had a couple do things that relate to travel, their pets, climbing ropes, hell Ive even made a cocktail at the altar before!
Its your wedding day, so you should be able to decide what fits and what doesn’t! Watch bad rom coms, look up the best of wedding fails on YouTube, talk to other married people and see what they wish they would have skipped to make a ceremony more personal.
It’s yours to create and I’m here to help bring the vision to life!
Get more elopement planning tips and guidance on my blog;
- Tips from a florist for your alberta elopement: READ IT HERE
- Benefits of using an officiant vs friend for your elopement: READ IT HERE
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