Kim Gardner Wedding Officiant

Description

I am an independent wedding officiant, preparing, consulting and performing, multi-faith and non-religious wedding ceremonies. I work with you to create a customized ceremony to suit your beliefs and personality. I'm here to offer as much or as little guidance as you would prefer and require. I work with you directly whether or not you elect to include a wedding coordinator or parents in our discussions.
I have had many years experience as a spiritual and secular counsellor and chaplain. All wedding ceremonies reflect my deep respect for the rights and freedoms of all individuals to express their own convictions, sexual preference, cultural background, religion and ethnicity. I have most direct experience and involvement with Christian, Jewish, and Tao (Buddhist) traditions but do not theatrically impersonate the officials of any. To me, a creative ceremony script that reflects your personalities and relationship is of paramount importance. Your wedding is an occasion when only the words, thoughts and emotions that you want are spoken. In Ontario, there are very few core requirements for what constitutes the performance of a legal wedding; the rest is up to you. While I have a wealth of experience in wedding traditions and typical expectations, I am absolutely clear that your wedding ceremony can only follow your guests' and families' expectations to the extent you direct. I always prepare and submit to you for your approval a detailed script so there are no surprises. I can ad lib well and appropriately when the need arises due to a disruption but otherwise I consider it a solemn trust to stick to pre-agreed wording. This is your special day, no one else's. Only your convictions, expressions and preferences deserve a voice, It is my duty to voice them with dignity and respect. I offer complete services and you can use those you choose: - pre-contract meeting to assess suitability of this officiant - simple public office/studio facilities for elopement/legal/destination preparation wedding - legal only ceremony with required questions and signing by you the couple, myself, two witnesses 18+ years old - do the legal aspects at a ceremony where a suitable non-registered friend, clergy or relative visibly leads the ceremony - ceremony with guests present and standardized script of my choosing - ceremony with guests and your customized ceremony script with sub-ceremonies, readings and featured musical performances - rehearsal where we practise the actual ceremony to make sure all participants know where and what they will be doing - pre-wedding and post-wedding couple's marriage counselling (not required) - my work dovetails and cooperates smoothly with your wedding coordinator, venue representative, photographer and DJ DOCUMENTATION: ________________________________________________________________________ In every case, it is my responsibility to present the record of marriage portion of the licence to you or your designated recipient and following the ceremony to check the licence carefully for accuracy and completion and then before mailing it to the Registrar of Ontario, and to scan it for your and my records. I must also maintain a Marriage Register and have all parties sign in it as well. I must also safeguard the confidential registration number the government bestows on me and not permit it to be known or used by an unauthorized person. You can check the government of Ontario website list of officiants to verify that I am registered with that ministry of the Ontario government. http://www.ontario.ca/data/registered-religious-officials See Hamilton, Gardner, Kimberley Ross ELIGIBILITY: ________________________________________________________________________ All marriages that are legal in Ontario can be performed. All couples are married without refusal for reasons of previous marriage experience as long as a valid marriage licence is presented. Securing of the licence is done by the couple at the local office of the nearest municipality, That is when legal divorce documentation (if applicable) and declarations regarding blood relationship are made. http://www.forms.ssb.gov.on.ca/mbs/ssb/forms/ssbforms.nsf/AttachDownload?openagent&TM=9_14_2015_1_57_19_PM&ENV=WWE&NO=007-11018E&SEQ=1&VER=2 LOCATIONS: ________________________________________________________________________ The most frequent geographical locations for your residence and ceremony venue are within one hour travel time of Hamilton (Golden Horseshoe, Niagara to Oshawa including Metropolitan Toronto) and Huntsville. It is understood that your wedding will not always be close to your residence so check with me to determine if travel allowance applies. WHAT NEXT: ________________________________________________________________________ Contact me by telephone or email today for more information or to arrange an initial meeting at my office or a public venue of your choosing. For fee amount, please specify your locations, expectations, and dates. SAMPLE VENUES I HAVE SERVED COUPLES AT: ________________________________________________________________________ Liuna Gardens, Liuna Station, Marquis Gardens, Brantford Golf and Country Club, Westfield Pioneer Village, Royal Botanical Gardens RBG, Liberty Grand, One King West, Belcroft, Blue Mountain, Aboard the Seguin, Taboo Resort, Hidden Valley, Deerhurst, private cottages, city hall wedding chambers, hotel banquet rooms, wilderness and park settings.