MANITOUWADGE -- Love is one of the highest experiences we human beings can have, and it can add depth of meaning to our lives. The essence of marriage is the taking of another person in his or her entirety as a lover, companion and friend.
These are words taken from traditional wedding ceremonies, which speak of the promise of a deep, long-lasting marriage. Is a wedding in your future? You now have the option to have the official ceremony performed at the Manitouwadge Town Hall.
Florence MacLean, the CAO of the Township of Manitouwadge, has taken all the required courses and certifications and is now qualified to perform marriage ceremonies.
Although marriage should not be entered into lightly, but rather with great consideration and respect, it is a simple procedure to register and take your loving vows.
Plan the date! For ceremonies at town hall during regular business hours, start the official process two or three weeks in advance. The first step is to contact the town clerk, Joleen Keough, who will issue the provincially legislated forms and collect payment for the services. A marriage license, which is to be utilized within three months of issue, is $100, and the cost for a simple ceremony at the town hall during regular business hours is an additional $300. This fee includes the room rental and the officiant’s fee. You can schedule a ceremony after hours or at a different location within the Township of Manitouwadge at a fee of $450.
If your dream is to get married at the cottage, on a boat or other venue outside of the municipal boundaries, Florence is available to travel. She can officiate at any wedding within the province of Ontario. Travel costs and a fee of $450 will secure her services for the ceremony.
The town hall venue is located within the council chambers. There is a lovely decorated archway available, and you can bring additional simple decorations and music of your choice. Up to 20 guests can attend the ceremony, which normally would last for about 30 minutes. Additional space can be rented at the Rec Centre or other private meeting spaces for those seeking to continue the celebration later or with a larger group of people.
When it comes to the vows, you may choose either a simple ceremony or a regular ceremony (with or without rings), of a non-secular nature, or you may choose to write your own vows. If you do decide that your love is best solemnized with your own sentiments and style, a meeting with Florence will be scheduled to go over these personal vows to ensure their validity and appropriateness.
No matter where or when, simple or complex, your wedding day is a special occasion. Take the time to plan it with love, patience, contemplation and with the remembrance that it will be a day to reflect upon for the rest of your lives. Make it a beautiful, precious, memorable one.
And as the wedding vows traditionally conclude: May you enjoy length of days, fulfillment of hopes and peace and contentment of mind. You may now kiss your beloved.
