Non-legal wedding in Canada

[Laura & Ted 0]

Once we get our visa and I get to the US (hopefully by early 2010... waiting for packet 4 now!), we're going to get legally married there as required by the K1 process. It will be a small, private ceremony with no family or friends present.

And we're planning our "real" ceremony for September 2010 in my hometown in New Brunswick.

My question is about who can officiate. (We're not religious so not having a priest/minister/etc. We'd like to have a friend do the ceremony.) Since we will already have our marriage certificate from the US wedding and therefore not filing a Canadian marriage certificate, does that mean that the officiant at our Canadian wedding does not have to be a "registered officiant" and therefore not have to go through all the procedures to become registered?

I'm hoping people who have done their "second" and non-legal wedding in Canada (or another beneficiary's home country) can share their wisdom with me!

Thank you!!!

[Peachey 10]

I would think since you are not legally getting married you can have anyone do it, including your cat

[Emancipation 2]

or your mailman.

[CdnMN 0]

Once we get our visa and I get to the US (hopefully by early 2010... waiting for packet 4 now!), we're going to get legally married there as required by the K1 process. It will be a small, private ceremony with no family or friends present.

And we're planning our "real" ceremony for September 2010 in my hometown in New Brunswick.

My question is about who can officiate. (We're not religious so not having a priest/minister/etc. We'd like to have a friend do the ceremony.) Since we will already have our marriage certificate from the US wedding and therefore not filing a Canadian marriage certificate, does that mean that the officiant at our Canadian wedding does not have to be a "registered officiant" and therefore not have to go through all the procedures to become registered?

I'm hoping people who have done their "second" and non-legal wedding in Canada (or another beneficiary's home country) can share their wisdom with me!

Thank you!!!

Providing you are already legally married and not needing to register the marriage in Canada, anyone can officiate. Essentially, you would be renewing your vows.

Do the people who will be attending know you are already married. If not, and certain phrases are used, it could be an issue. If those in attendance are led to belive it is an actual ceremony that is where there may be an issue.

[Darnell 8,478]

I suggest the visa officer at the consulate - send him/her a postcard, inquire.

ya, sorry, that was mean.

MANY people have 'wedding ceremony' after that 'legal ceremony' - can view it as a 're-affirmation of vows' ceremony or a 'wedding celebration'

[Krikit 1,164]

I SO want to be invited if it's your cat.

A former co-worker ran off and got married while on vacation. When he came back we gave them a "reception" and made them perform a ceremony because we'd missed it. I scripted it using a Star Trek theme (by request...lol), and the resident comedian officiated. It was a hoot.

So, yeah. My answer is the officiant doesn't have to be registered. lol

[Peachey 10]

yeah my invitations to my "wedding" say "Wedding celebration".

[Laura & Ted 0]

Funny, I was just snuggling my cat as you wrote that. I'll see if he's available on our wedding date.

CdnMN, what are the sensitive phrases you're referring to?

Edited December 3, 2009 by Laura & Ted

[Emancipation 2]

Do the people who will be attending know you are already married. If not, and certain phrases are used, it could be an issue. If those in attendance are led to belive it is an actual ceremony that is where there may be an issue.

What's the issue? there will be no signing of any documents nor are you marrying another person as in polygamy.. no issues no matter what you say I would think.

Edited December 3, 2009 by Emancipation

[trailmix 77]

I SO want to be invited if it's your cat.

I'll do it for you! I would like to visit NB!

Edited December 3, 2009 by trailmix

[Krikit 1,164]

OMG, Topo. You look so cute!! I would TOTALLY ask you to officiate at my wedding.

[CdnMN 0]

Funny, I was just snuggling my cat as you wrote that. I'll see if he's available on our wedding date.

CdnMN, what are the sensitive phrases you're referring to?

For a marriage to be legal in Canada...at least in Ontario, the follow is required to be a part of the ceremony

1) The couple must individually signify their consent to the marriage.." Do you xxx take..."

2) There must be a public declaration and opportunity to provide evidence that the marriage should not take place..."If anyone here can give just reason why this couple should not be married....during the service....or by the posting of Bans of Marriage at least 3 weeks before the ceremony (If I remember correctly it is 3 weeks)

2) There official must state the authority by which he pronounces the couple as husband and wife..."By the power vested in me by the Province of xxx I now pronounce you husban and wife..."

These statements are not legally supposed to be a part of a "staged" ceremony. Of course, it isn't a big deal if you are already married. The problem is when the couple are not really married and the service is designed as a deception.

[Darnell 8,478]

Perhaps 'Public Display of Connubial Bliss with Phils EggPie Ceremony' might be great title for the invitations? Come On - be cross-cultural (Egg Pie is amazing ) ...

[warlord 73]

Perhaps 'Public Display of Connubial Bliss with Phils EggPie Ceremony' might be great title for the invitations? Come On - be cross-cultural (Egg Pie is amazing ) ...

There is the I think Universal Church or something that's you can become an ordained minister and legally able to marry. My friend got that done a few years back and actually performed a ceremony on it. He's anything but religious too, but he just wanted to marry and be an ordained minister because he's warped...

[Rustbelt 0]

Once we get our visa and I get to the US (hopefully by early 2010... waiting for packet 4 now!), we're going to get legally married there as required by the K1 process. It will be a small, private ceremony with no family or friends present.

And we're planning our "real" ceremony for September 2010 in my hometown in New Brunswick.

My question is about who can officiate. (We're not religious so not having a priest/minister/etc. We'd like to have a friend do the ceremony.) Since we will already have our marriage certificate from the US wedding and therefore not filing a Canadian marriage certificate, does that mean that the officiant at our Canadian wedding does not have to be a "registered officiant" and therefore not have to go through all the procedures to become registered?

I'm hoping people who have done their "second" and non-legal wedding in Canada (or another beneficiary's home country) can share their wisdom with me!

Thank you!!!

I had my real wedding in the US and a "celebration" in the UK. I asked an old family friend to officiate, had "wedding celebration" on the invites and although I dressed up in my gown again, and it "looked" like a wedding, we didn't do things that are key to an actual UK wedding like "signing the registry" (which is what makes it an actual marriage). So as long as you avoid anything that creates an official record of the marriage in Canada, you should be able to do whatever you want. Within reason.

- Steve's wife