Ceremony Creation

How I Work - Steps to Your Perfect Ceremony - Fees

How I Work

Creating a unique ceremony for you is a very personal experience! Here’s how I work to design a meaningful ceremony that is all about you and celebrates you as a couple.

As soon as we confirm that we are a good fit and we agree to work together, I focus on getting to know you both, your love story and what is important to you for your special day. We do this through a face-to-face meeting, your answers to many questions, email and/or phone conversations.

Images and symbols convey powerful messages. I research various cultural rituals, symbols and traditions that may carry meaning for you and reflect the commitment you are making. Then, in close consultation or collaboration with you, I develop and write your ceremony to reflect your values, beliefs, traditions, wishes and promise to each other.

We will consider the people who are important to you so your ceremony can be designed to involve and engage them in celebrating your commitment, in the way you wish. If this means working with you to create and hold a bilingual ceremony, in English and another language of your choice, I happily do so.

Your ceremony may be conventional or unconventional in its tone or theme; it may be simple or elaborate; spiritual or civil; non-religious or with religious elements. It may involve children or elders; it may be gender neutral.

I confer with you throughout the process, however often or long it takes. I will continue to develop and revise your ceremony until you are completely happy with the result.

A Day or Three Ahead

I will help prepare the ceremony participants and conduct a rehearsal a few days in advance. I coordinate with others involved in the ceremony such as musicians, photographers, wedding/event planners. You relax and leave the ceremony in my hands.

Officiating the Ceremony

On the day, I will ensure all the elements of the ceremony are organized and all participants are ready and on track to achieve as seamless a ceremony as possible. I will preside at and guide the enactment of the ceremony. I will witness your vows of commitment, sign and register your marriage certificate.

Afterwards, If you wish, I can provide you with an attractive digital keepsake copy of your ceremony.

Steps to your Perfect Ceremony

Contact Sonia and request an initial phone chat: I will respond to your request within 48 hours.
A 15 to 20 minute phone call with one or both of you: I hear your aspirations for your wedding or commitment ceremony. You learn about me, and how I like to work with couples. If we both get a good feeling about the possibility of collaborating on your special day, we agree on a face-to-face meeting.
A face-to-face meeting between the 3 of us: I get to know you as a couple. I ask a lot of questions to hear and understand what is important to each of you, and to gather the personal details that will inform your ceremony. If you are not sure what you want, I’ll consult on possibilities and help you figure out what will be the perfect ceremony for you. You confirm that I am indeed the person you would like to be your Celebrant.
Agreement to jointly create your ceremony: As we all agree and are excited about how to work together, we complete and sign-off on a service agreement that reflects your specific requirements and my promise to you.
Additional information from each partner: each of you complete a written questionnaire that includes key basic information and additional details so I can personalize your ceremony and get all the facts right.
I do whatever research is required to find and select meaningful elements for your ceremony, as required: this takes several weeks during which we respond to each others’ questions or concerns by email and telephone. I may also meet with you individually or together again to ensure meaningful content.
Designing and/or crafting your ceremony: I write or edit, refine and tweak your ceremony so you are happy with it; and we confer closely by email, phone or video conference. Alternatively, I will work closely with you to write your own ceremony and ensure it will have the desired meaning and impact.
You approve the completed ceremony: you sign-off on your ceremony and relax, knowing the main event is all taken care of. The ceremony rehearsal will help allay any last minute worries about it.
You enjoy your very own one-of-a-kind ceremony: worry-free, you leave it to me to lead and officiate your ceremony on your special day. If it is a marriage, I solemnize it and complete documents as required by the Marriage Act.
After the ceremony is time for reflection and paperwork: you go away with fond memories; I reflect on the privilege I have enjoyed being your Celebrant. For weddings, I register your marriage and you may apply for a marriage certificate. If you have opted for one and provided your photos, I prepare and present you with an attractive keepsake copy of your ceremony.

Fees

Each wedding, commitment ceremony and renewal of vows is completely unique. Accordingly, the fee for each ceremony reflects the artistic nature of a carefully designed and originally-written ceremony, the elements you want, the professional services I will deliver, and my exclusive attention on your rehearsal and wedding days.

The agreed upon fee forms part of a written contract that outlines our agreement. You’ll have time to consider the quote and details in the agreement before signing.

Fees for original and unique custom ceremonies with a rehearsal typically range from $2,000 to $3,500. Long weekend ceremonies are at a premium. Date reservation deposits are requested for high season weekend dates booked longer than 6 weeks in advance.

Sixty percent of the ceremony services fee is payable as a non-refundable deposit upon signing the agreement. The balance is due at least 3 days prior the wedding ceremony, and may be paid in up to two instalments, as agreed. Payment by e-transfer is preferred.

“Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone – we find it with another.”
Thomas Merton

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