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Cortney Pasternak
Cortney Pasternak is licensed by the Registrar General of Ontario and the Ontario Humanist Society to provide Humanist (similar to civil or legal) marriage ceremonies in Ontario (though she is happy to officiate at many other life cycle events as well). She has been screened and trained by the Ontario Humanist Society, which is a vibrant, dynamic and growing organization. More about Cortney →
Tag Archives: humanist officiant
Do Your Wedding Right the First Time
I often hear from couples getting married for the second time (or for those who are learning about Humanist Officiants for the first time) that they often feel (or felt) they had little power or control over their wedding – … Continue reading
Posted in Blog
Tagged covid 19, humanist officiant, Humanist weddings, marriage prep, married, pre-marital counselling
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Ideas for Unity Rituals for Weddings
I’m often asked for different ways couples can celebrate their unity in their wedding ceremony or marriage ceremony. While I am familiar with some as a Humanist Officiant, which include candle lighting and a ring warming, here is a list … Continue reading
Posted in Blog
Tagged humanist officiant, marriage ceremony, marth stewart, unity, wedding ceremony
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Nervous About Being the Centre of Attention? Some Alternatives and Help
I am often told by couples that they feel very anxious about standing up in front of others for their wedding ceremony. I have had some couples forego personal vows (or elope) because having to state something so personal is … Continue reading
Posted in Blog
Tagged anxiety, counsellor, humanist officiant, meditation, mindfulness, psychotherapist
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Anxious while Planning your Wedding? Or is the Planning Exacerbating your Anxiety?
Some good tips here for the anxious bride while planning a wedding. How about starting with managing (your own) expectations… As a Humanist Officiant and a Counsellor / Psychotherapist, I can help.
Posted in Blog
Tagged anxiety, counsellor, humanist officiant, psyhotherapist, wedding
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Therapy Dogs and Help For Those Who Are Grieving
I have always believed — based on both personal and professional experience — in the role animals can play in providing comfort to people who are upset or grieving. We know this from the popularity of therapy dogs, equine therapy, … Continue reading
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Tagged counselling, funerals, grief counselling, grieving, hamilton, humanist officiant, therapy dogs
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Mindfulness for your Wedding Day
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
Posted in Blog, Uncategorized
Tagged humanist officiant, mindful marriage, mindfulness
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Talking Before Walking Down the Aisle: The Benefits of Pre-Marital Counselling
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
Posted in Blog, Uncategorized
Tagged counseling, counselling, divorce, engagement, humanist officiant, pre-marital counselling, premarriage counseling, weddings
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Humanist Weddings: No Negotiating Gender Equality
A fellow Marriage Officiant recently shared a story with me about a couple who called off the wedding with just over a month to the big day. In this case, the bride had confessed that she had become unhappy because, … Continue reading
Posted in Blog
Tagged gender equality, humanist officiant, humanist wedding, jewish weddings, marriage ceremony, rituals, vows, wedding
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The “Perfect” Marriage Proposal: Spectacle versus Meaning?
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
Posted in Blog, Uncategorized
Tagged engagement, humanist officiant, marriage proposal, promposal, proposal
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What do people really want at the end of their lives?
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
Posted in Blog, Uncategorized
Tagged death, humanist officiant, Humanist weddings, life passages, marriage
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