Photo: Kamp Photography at Breezy Bend Country Club
Photo: Kamp Photography at Breezy Bend Country Club
Marriage Commissioner/Wedding Officiant
Why choose Colleen?
There are many marriage commissioners who will write a great ceremony for you.
So, how am I different?
I don’t have one ceremony I use for each wedding — you get to choose the words that are spoken to you at your ceremony and you can include any ideas that you have found.
When I lived in Brandon I was a Toastmaster member and guests often comment that I enunciate well and am easy to hear.
I have an eye for detail and help wherever I can!
How do I help?
I have hidden a musician’s orange extension cord in the flower bed dirt so it wouldn’t show in the ceremony area.
Recently a wedding guest with a disability asked me if there was a more comfortable chair he could use — I took it up myself to find a chair and carry it across the room to the guest.
I will pin on or straighten boutonnières for groomsmen and fathers making sure the pins are hidden,
I will watch for necklaces and dresses that need straightening, sew on buttons
AND I have sewed a ripped seam on a groomsman’s tuxedo pants
Your photographer will know what to watch for during the ceremony because I will tell him/her of special moments.
Your musician or DJ will know what cues to watch for because we will have talked about that before your ceremony.
AND SO MUCH MORE!
Personalizing your event
You may have a concern that words spoken to you at your wedding ceremony by your officiant may not be ‘your kind of words’.
I will give you many ideas to choose from, you can include any of your own ideas and you can give me information about the two of you so I can personalize your ceremony.
You will know in advance exactly what will be said to you at your ceremony; I will not go off script to tell my own joke.
Couples have told me they feel very relaxed when I speak and I will always be very professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No hesitations – Yes Yes Yes!
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I have officiated at more than 2100 wedding ceremonies and — I do it all!
If I am unable at the last minute to officiate, I have many contacts and I will find you another marriage commissioner. You will not be left to search yourself.
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I have a wealth of experience with couples of many cultural backgrounds and am open to performing ceremonies from a variety of belief systems (religious, spiritual, civic, etc.).
I am an ally of the LGBTQ community - same sex couples and
I will always be respectful of your wishes.
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That is a great idea!
Your friend/relative would be required to obtain a one-time marriage commissioner licence from Vital Statistics at a cost of $100.
Here is how I can help to make this stressless!
Your friend/relative would officiate your ceremony and I would ensure ALL paperwork is completed accurately and sent to Vital Statistics right after your ceremony.
Another option — I can work with you to help write your ceremony.
Another option — I can attend your rehearsal and walk through the different parts of the ceremony so your officiant knows what to do.
Your ceremony will be choreographed and organized.
I would be available for any questions you might have.
Jessica & Brett with Beau at the Trappist Monastery Ruins
ThreeBestRated 2024 Award Wedding Officiants Winnipeg
Conor & Joseph had their ceremony at the Seasonal Garden at The Leaf
Kind Words
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"Colleen was an absolute pleasure to work with. She was so well organized and helped give us the guidance in creating a ceremony that was custom and perfect for us. She is very courteous, professional, and so easy going. We are so happy that she officiated our wedding!"
— Curtis & Meagan
Wedding Ceremony & Vow Renewal
Fees
I will send you a confirmation email and around three months before your ceremony we can set up a Zoom session or FaceTime call to start to talk about your ceremony.
My 2024 all inclusive fee for designing and officiating at your ceremony in Winnipeg — $375
For attending at your rehearsal to help organize and choreograph your ceremony — $200
Some couples might be having a symbolic ceremony at a church or destination spot at a later time and at this time they only want to be legally married — $225.
Ceremonies that are outside of Winnipeg, I do have a travel time and expense fee.
I do ask for non-refundable $200 e-transfer (colleenolafson@gmail.com) as a retainer to hold your ceremony date and time in my calendar.
The balance of my fee can be paid sometime during the week before your ceremony.
During our time working together I encourage you to send any questions to me and
I will always respond to your emails / texts quickly!
Photo credit: Lauren Cox Photography
