What makes Modern Celebrant ceremonies so different?

 

Reflection:

Having our clients work through a reflective discovery process is one of the signature elements of collaborating with us in ceremony. Seemingly simple questions that are designed to help you express what lies within. Not perfect words but real, honest words. This is a contemporary and inclusive spin on those old marriage prep courses. Meeting in-person: We offer a relaxed in-person consultation and/or interview. We listen deeply to you, drawing out the most compelling threads of the experiences and feelings you share. We also take great care to honour your faith and cultural traditions. Ceremonial presence: Our gift is to weave your words, feelings, and traditions into a ceremony that reflects you and your life. Presented in a way that engages the heart and mind.

Can we meet you before making our decision?

Yes! We believe this is incredibly important. There needs to be a connection between us. And you need to feel complete trust.

How far in advance should we book?

For the ceremonial aspect of our contemporary ministries, we accept a limited number of ceremonial commissions each year. For some dates, we are booked a year in advance, other dates we’re wide open. No rhyme or reason to it. Always a good idea to check with us, even last minute. For instance, we work on extremely short notice for Celebrations of Life and Memorial ceremonies.

Who does Modern Celebrant work best with?

The people who are drawn to our one-of-a-kind ceremonial experiences want to see and feel more deeply at a particular time in their life. And they want their family, friends, and other guests to have a powerful experience too. In essence they commission us to create a personal and collective memory. They are people of ALL orientations, faiths, and backgrounds who want to live meaningful life.

How does it work once we make our decision?

To hold your date, we’ll have you sign an Agreement and provide a retainer that varies between 40% – 50%, depending on the ceremony. Further payments are by postdated cheque or e-transfer. We do not accept payment the day of a ceremony, as for us the actual ceremonial experience is far beyond a financial transaction. We can accommodate multiple payments if that is easier for you. From there, we get the ball rolling with as much padding as possible to allow space for reflection, interviews, visioning and writing, edits, rehearsals etc. A portion of yoru ceremonial fee is directed to our governing bodies. You will receive a tax-receipt for this.

Can you do Religious ceremonies? Cultural Ceremonies? Multi-faith?

In addition to being professionally educated and certified Celebrants, each of us is a recognized Religious Representative authorized by our own governing bodies which are recognized by the Province of BC.  We perform a wide variety of interfaith and intercultural ceremonies, as well as serve the community in other ways.

How many ceremonies do you do in one day?

Simple answer. 90% of the time: just One. Yep. You are our primary focus on the day of your ceremony. We consider your ceremony to be important and take the time to ensure we are emotionally present and engaged for it.  On occasion we do two ceremonies in one day, but only if there is a huge amount of time between the two ceremonies, and only if both parties give permission.

Does Modern Celebrant come to us?

Yes. We can perform your ceremony wherever you wish. Parks, beaches, mountain tops, and if you want a stunning view of the mountains and conifers with an intimate group, you even have a ceremony at Michele’s place! All you have to do is ask!

What attire will you wear for our ceremony?

We are always professionally and appropriately dressed, in keeping with our role as holders of ceremonial space. That means modest, stylish, sensitive and in keeping with the tone of your ceremony. We do not wear clothing that will distract in photographs, though let it be said that we have awesome shoes!

What happens on the day of the Ceremony?

We arrive at least 30 minutes before the ceremony. This is a respected experience for us as well, and we don’t like to rush. We make sure the ceremonial space is set up properly, help welcome guests, test any sound equipment e.g. microphones, speak with musicians to coordinate cues, chat with the photographer about best shots and angles, touch base with any readers, and just generally put everyone at ease so they can settle into the ceremonial experience.

Weddings: What about Rehearsals?

There is an additional charge for rehearsals because of the time involved. We’re experts at rehearsals. Even with a large wedding party, we can smoothly run through all the logistics of the ceremony in one hour, including entrance (processional), standing positions, readings, vows, rituals, leaving (recessional). We even tell you when you will hold your bouquet and when you won’t… and HOW to hold it.  You’ll feel very at ease.

Making it Legal: The Marriage Licence

In the province of British Columbia, the couple must apply for their marriage licence. The fee is $100. Only one of you needs to apply; however you must have identification, e.g. passports or birth certificates for both parties. If either of you has been divorced you will be required to provide documentation for this as well. The licence can be obtained in various places around BC. Click here to find out where to apply in your area. At the ceremony, we guide you and your two witnesses in signing the Licence as well as the official Marriage Register (which we bring). Following the ceremony, we file the paperwork with the government.

Can we write our own vows?

Absolutely! We love it when you do. We give you ideas and samples to get you started, and then offer our expert guidance on the editing. Something you may not have thought of is keeping the vows a surprise till the day of (we’ll edit them with you individually then) and also how to ensure the vows are cohesive in tone and length. We help with that too.

 

 

 

 

Incorporating Symbolic Rituals to Deepen Meaning

One of the most transformative aspects of a Modern Celebrant ceremony is the inclusion of a symbolic ritual. These aren’t just theatrical add-ons; they’re carefully chosen acts that make an invisible commitment suddenly visible. You might be drawn to a handfasting, where cords or ribbons are loosely tied around your hands, binding your stories and intentions together in a way that feels ancient and grounding. Or perhaps a unity candle lighting, where two separate flames merge into one steady glow, speaks to the new life you’re building. We’ll talk through options like a sand ceremony that beautifully includes children or parents, a ring warming that invites every guest to silently bless your rings, or even a tree planting if your love is deeply rooted in the natural world.

What matters most is that the ritual feels authentic to you, not like a performance. We never push a one-size-fits-all script. During our discovery process, we listen for the moments in your story that cry out for a tangible expression—like a shared love of the sea becoming a water-pouring ritual, or a passion for travel inspiring a map-signing ceremony where guests mark a globe with well-wishes. We’ll explain the flow, help you source any materials, and weave the ritual so seamlessly into the ceremony that your guests feel they’re witnessing something profoundly personal rather than checking a box. Even the smallest gesture, done with intention, can leave everyone holding their breath in the best way.

What If We’re Nervous About Speaking in Front of Everyone?

It’s completely normal to feel a flutter of nerves—this is a big moment, after all, and your heart knows it. Many of our clients walk into our first meeting worried that their voice will shake or that they’ll forget everything they wanted to say. We take that pressure off. If you choose to say your own vows or share a few words, we’ll work with you to shape them so they feel like you, not like a memorized poem. We also offer gentle, practical techniques: breathing together before you step up, holding hands in a way that grounds you, or positioning yourselves so you’re speaking primarily to each other rather than a sea of faces. Because in that moment, the only person who needs to hear your words is the one standing right in front of you.

For those who truly dread the spotlight, we can design the ceremony so that the celebrant carries the bulk of the spoken word, with your responses kept to short, repeat-after-me phrases. We’ve seen couples who were terrified of public speaking end up absolutely glowing, not because the nerves disappeared entirely, but because the ceremony held them so safely that they could be fully present. Sometimes we’ll even suggest a pre-ceremony quiet moment, just the two of you and us, to settle in, have a laugh, and remember why you’re doing this. That shift from performance to presence changes everything.

Handling the Unexpected: Weather, Tech Glitches, and Last-Minute Changes

Real life has a way of tossing small surprises into even the most carefully planned day, and we’ve learned to embrace that rather than fight it. If your outdoor ceremony gets a sudden downpour, we’ll have a calm, clear backup plan ready. We carry a pop-up umbrella in our kit, but more than that, we carry a mindset that says: rain can become a gift—a shared moment of laughter, a canopy of guest-held umbrellas, a story you’ll tell for decades. The same goes for a microphone that decides to cut out or a playlist that skips. We arrive early to test sound, coordinate with your venue or DJ, and bring a small backup speaker just in case. If technology fails, our voices are strong and warm enough to fill a space without a hint of panic.

Last-minute changes—a mislaid vow card, a family member arriving late, a toddler who suddenly needs to be part of everything—are all met with quiet flexibility. We’ll check in with you discreetly, adjust the order of events if needed, and protect the emotional heart of the ceremony so you don’t have to carry that weight. Our role is to be the steady, unflappable presence that absorbs the unexpected so you can stay right where you are: in the thick of a moment you’ve been dreaming about.

We’ve also learned that some of the most memorable ceremonies include a beautiful “imperfection”: a dog wandering up with the rings, a gust of wind scattering flower petals at exactly the right moment, a peal of thunder right after the vows. We don’t treat these as failures; we pause, smile, and let them become part of your unique story, woven in with care.

Celebrations Beyond Weddings: Naming Days, Vow Renewals, and Milestone Moments

Life’s big moments aren’t limited to weddings, and neither are our ceremonies. A naming day, for example, honours a child—newborn, adopted, or older—without the framework of a religious baptism, yet with no less reverence. Parents, guideparents, and family gather to speak promises of love and support into a young person’s life. We weave in readings, music, and often a symbolic act like a candle lighting, tree planting, or wish box filled with letters to be opened on a future birthday. The tone can be joyful and playful, or deeply reflective, depending on what feels true to your family.

Vow renewals hold a special place in our practice. Whether you’re marking a milestone anniversary, walking through a season of challenge together, or simply wanting to say “I’d choose you all over again” in front of the ones who’ve witnessed your journey, we craft a ceremony that honours the life you’ve already built. It’s less about the wedding you once had and more about the marriage you’re living. Often, children or grandchildren play a role, and we love helping couples write fresh vows that acknowledge the decades behind them.

And then there are the quieter thresholds: a milestone birthday that deserves more than a party, a retirement that closes a long chapter, a home blessing when you’ve finally found your sanctuary, or a healing ceremony after a loss. These moments deserve witnesses and words just as much as a wedding does. We bring the same reflective discovery, the same deep listening, and the same attention to presence. Because a life fully lived is a mosaic of moments worth marking, and we’re honoured to help you frame each one.