Weddings & Other Rites of Passage Ceremonies
Colin Read is our current Lay Chaplain. He is an experienced presenter and facilitator and has a passion for working with individuals to create personalized rituals and ceremonies. He enjoys creating ceremonies that draw upon peoples’ vision, ideas, spiritual values, and background to reflect their individuality and uniqueness, thus creating an event full of meaning and lasting memories.
We are pleased to provide you with services that celebrate and dignify the special occasion you are commemorating. When it comes time for the important rites of passage, we honour beliefs from many traditions and backgrounds.
Our lay chaplains and officiants are licensed by the province of Ontario to officiate at marriage services, and trained by the Canadian Unitarian Council for weddings, funerals, naming dedications, and other life passage rituals.
To begin planning your significant life event, email us at laychaplain@grandriverunitarian.ca.
As always, lay chaplains and officiants can perform ceremonies in the venue of your choice.
Weddings/commitment Ceremonies
We are believers that a ceremony should be a reflection of both of you, so there are a lot of creative opportunities guaranteeing that your ceremony is exactly what you are looking for. From traditional to radical, no two ceremonies are the same—just like you, each is unique.
Dedicating yourselves to one another and marking your life together before friends and family can be a powerful moment in a couple’s lives. We proudly officiate same-sex marriages.
Wedding Fees:
Full Package: Consultation and Officiating: $400
Deposit: $150
Rehearsal: $100
Mileage: $0.60/km for ceremonies held outside Region of Waterloo
Signing License Only Fees: $200
Deposit: $100
Mileage: $0.40/km for ceremonies held outside Cambridge/Kitchener/Waterloo
Commitment Ceremony Fees: $350
Deposit: $150
Mileage: $0.60/km for ceremonies held outside Region of Waterloo Vow Renewals
Vow Renewals
Vow renewals are an opportunity for a couple to renew the promises that they made to each other when they first came together in a marriage or commitment ceremony. It is a time to celebrate their love again with friends and family.
Fees:
Consultation and Officiating: $300
Deposit: $150
Rehearsal: $100
Mileage: $0.60/km for ceremonies held outside Region of Waterloo
Celebrations of Life and Memorial Services
We offer an opportunity to create a meaningful testament of the life lost to us, and to honour the feelings of those left behind. Lighting candles; eulogies; and words of loss, love and hope help shape a memorial. We can help you to start creating a service that is sensitive, honest and true to the person being remembered.
Fees:
Consultation and Officiating: $400
Deposit: $200
Mileage: $0.60/km for ceremonies held outside Region of Waterloo
Child/Adult Naming Dedications
A Naming or Dedication Ceremony addresses both the significance of the name chosen and the relationship to a nurturing community for a Baby, a Child or an Adult. This is inclusive to an adoptive child into the family or to embrace stepchildren into a new family. They are all welcoming ceremonies that are a joyful event with family and friends. The celebration may be large or small, formal or informal.
Fees:
Consultation and Officiating: $250
Deposit: $100
Mileage: $0.60/km for ceremonies held outside Region of Waterloo
Pet farewell rituals
This is a time to gather friends and family for a celebration to honour the life of your pet. Your can plan your memorial at any time: immediately following the death or later; any time is appropriate to commemorate the love you shared.
Fees:
Consultation and Officiating: $150
Deposit: $50
Mileage: $0.60/km for ceremonies held outside Region of Waterloo
Other Life Transitions
We are also available to help you celebrate other life transitions such as:
House Blessings
Retirement
Gender Identification
Coming of Age
Ending a Relationship
Miscarriage
We would be honoured to be a part of your important day.
Please email us at laychaplain@grandriverunitarian.ca for assistance with your ceremony.