ERIN – Couples looking to get hitched can now do so from the comfort of their vehicle with the Town of Erin’s “drive-through” marriage service.
The town will be providing the service on Sept. 9 from 1 to 4pm.
Couples that already have a valid marriage licence and have made their payments will be able to drive through and get married outside town hall. No appointments are required.
Clerk Lisa Campion said the town often hears residents say they just want to get what’s legally required and then they’ll have a ceremony and celebrate at a different date.
“We’ve heard people want the bare minimum,” Campion told the Advertiser.
“After COVID, they just want what’s legally done,” she explained. “So we saw this as an opportunity to bring it forward, just as a service enhancement.”
Newly married couples will also receive an “exclusively Erin” gift, donated by local businesses.
Couples will drive up, Campion will wed them and the paperwork will be processed.
“So it’s really not too much different in terms of the ceremonies that we typically offer,” she explained. “But the difference is, there’s no appointment required and the expediency of it.”
The town began offering marriage services last October after council authorized a bylaw to adopt a civil marriage solemnization service in the town.
Since adding the service, Campion said the town has seen an increase in inquiries but couldn’t speak to the year-to-year comparison as it’s just approaching the one-year mark.
“We’ve had more people reach out even just to get their licenses, because we know our neighbouring communities are backed up, we know that our communities are slowing down with their appointments,” Campion explained.
“We’re here to serve our residents,” she added. “So if there’s a need, we’re always going to come to see what ideas we can bring forward to accommodate that.”
The service also offers the town a unique opportunity to partner with local businesses, Campion noted.
“We have a fantastic community,” she said. “We have an amazing business community and it’s just another opportunity to showcase that through our unique partnership.”
If the service is well received, Campion said it’s something the town will consider offering again.
“To me, the success isn’t going to depend on how many people come out,” she said. “It’s just the fact that we’re able to provide this service.
“Even if one [couple] shows up that’s an accomplishment,” Campion added. “Even being able to showcase our businesses and generate a conversation about the town and just have people know what we have to offer, that’s a success in itself.”
Asked if offering a service in this form is downplaying the significance of the occasion, Campion said it’s not intended to undermine marriage, adding, “I think everyone has different ideas.
“Certainly we’re not here to undermine that, but we’re here to offer a service.”
She added the town is looking to accommodate residents looking for a no-fuss, expedited service that is catered to specific couples.
“Marriage is an amazing thing. It’s between two people and that’s the start of someone’s life as a couple,” she acknowledged.
“And it’s awesome for us to be part of that. This is just a different way we’re approaching it.”
A civil marriage ceremony costs $250. For those who don’t have a licence and would like to get one, information is available at erin.ca/town-hall/clerks-office/marriage or by emailing clerks@erin.ca.
