Category Archives: Uncategorized

Marriage Anxiety? Prep and Plan

Posted on January 5, 2020 by admin

With the plethora of wedding shows presenting a somewhat seamless path toward weddings — with wedding planners and others to ‘save the day’, it’s no wonder that couples experience intense anxiety in the lead up to their weddings (even if … Continue reading →

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Mindfulness for your Wedding Day

Posted on April 21, 2017 by admin

There is increasing research around the use and benefits of Mindfulness in couples therapy and in marriage more broadly. Consider this article by Gottman trained therapist Tori Parker. While Mindfulness is not just about meditation, meditation can help couples connect … Continue reading →

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Talking Before Walking Down the Aisle: The Benefits of Pre-Marital Counselling

Posted on November 1, 2016 by admin

While it has rarely happened in my work as a Humanist Officiant, according to US research, approximately 15 percent of couples do break off their engagements, even if they are close to their wedding dates. One couple I knew who … Continue reading →

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The “Perfect” Marriage Proposal: Spectacle versus Meaning?

Posted on May 11, 2016 by admin

I have written a fair bit in past blogs about the pressure couples (and brides in particular) face, from media and Hollywood to have the so-called perfect wedding (which doesn’t exist by the way). The stress of it all can … Continue reading →

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What do people really want at the end of their lives?

Posted on December 21, 2015 by admin

The quieter season for weddings in Canada is upon us. I find it is a good time to reflect on the many beautiful Humanist weddings I officiated this past summer. I’m always comforted by the couples, who, in the collaborative … Continue reading →

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Surprise wedding plans? Risky business.

Posted on April 1, 2015 by admin

Personally, I think it’s a pretty brave person that attempts a surprise wedding. It’s one thing if your guests don’t know about it (read my last blog here). It’s quite another if your spouse doesn’t know about it. In some … Continue reading →

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The Politics of Surprise Weddings

Posted on March 18, 2015 by admin

I’ve officiated a few surprise weddings over the years and I’ve seen many different reactions to the news and event itself. Some guests have reacted with joy. Some show no reaction at all. For others, it can be downright upsetting … Continue reading →

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Marriage Officiant Fraud: How to tell the difference

Posted on October 8, 2014 by admin

Recently, members of my organization, the Ontario Humanist Society voiced concern about a news article that appeared in the London Free Press. The article featured a woman named Dale Brewster who was charged with performing marriage ceremonies in London, Ontario … Continue reading →

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Humanist Weddings: Honouring Cross-Cultural Diversity and Modernizing Rituals

Posted on February 19, 2014 by admin

One of many things I love about conducting weddings in Toronto is that there is a good chance that the city’s multicultural landscape and energy will be reflected in the couples that decide to marry. Indeed many of the couples … Continue reading →

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Wedding Season and Officiant Bargain Hunting

Posted on May 6, 2013 by admin

Gorgeous spring weather is such a great reminder that wedding season is fast approaching. I’m reminded how much I enjoy hearing from couples searching for a wedding officiant — even those working more last minute with very little time to … Continue reading →

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