Who needs The Chapel of Love, when the town’s council chambers are a lot closer?
Although Minto never was barred from conducting civil weddings, with the change in its clerk and a new civil marriage solemnization service bylaw, the town is now able to offer two wedding people to conduct weddings.
Clerk-Administrator Marsha Paley and Deputy-Clerk Theresa Campbell now have the authority to provide civil marriage ceremonies at municipal properties and anywhere else in the province.
The municipal clerk’s team recently organized a training session with 13 other municipal officials, one from as far away as Thunder Bay, to learn from a wedding officiant how to conduct a civil wedding service.
On Oct. 7, the town implemented a new by-law to authorize civil marriages by its staff.
The new bylaw details the fees and guidelines “to ensure the civil marriage service is special yet offered at a reasonable cost.”
If the ceremony is held at the Minto administration building during business hours the fee remains at $200, while the cost continues to be $300 plus the officiant’s expenses if the ceremony is held at a site outside of the council chambers or outside regular business hours.
As one of approximately 73 municipalities that offer the service, those costs are comparable to other municipalities.
Minto also offers an opportunity for a rehearsal and a ceremonial renewal of vows.
“Being able to offer civil wedding ceremonies … is an extension of the marriage licence service the town already provides” said Mayor David Anderson.
“Having two marriage officiants gives a couple the opportunity to be married during the day, on week nights, or on weekends depending on staff’s availability.
“Staff promises that each couple’s event can be especially personalized by the couple to make it memorable.”
For more information on the service, contact the clerk’s office at 519-338-2511.
