Finding a wedding officiant or marriage commissioner is often left to last. We encourage you to pick and book your officiant sooner than later. In this article we offer answers to common questions. We also found the best marriage officiants in Calgary.
What is a marriage officiant?
A marriage officiant or marriage commissioner is a person certified to officiate a wedding ceremony so that you can get your marriage certificate.
What does a wedding officiant do?
A wedding officiant or marriage officiant performs a number of wedding services. Packages can range from vow renewals and mini ceremonies to elopements, destination weddings, refersals.
What’s a good wedding officiant?
A good wedding officiant is the one that can create a personalized marriage ceremony, communicates clearly, looks respectfully and makes your special day about your celebration of love, not your marriage license.
Cost of hiring a wedding officiant
The cost of a marriage commissioner in Calgary, Alberta varies depending on the services provided. Generally, marriage officiants charge between $175 and $750 for their services. Of course, it depends on the contents of the package going from basic to the most elaborate.
Free marriage commissioner!
Did you know you can get a marriage commissioner in Alberta for free? The province offers free temporary marriage commissioner appointments.
Please note that this only applies to civil non religious marriages. We recommend you contact your religious organization about your faith marriage officiants.
In short, your friend can marry you for free. The process takes 2-4 weeks. Get the details and apply to become a marriage commissioner for a day.
How to pick the right wedding officiant?
First, see if you want a friend to marry you. If so, get your friend to apply to become a single day marriage officiant in the province of Alberta.
Second, check the list of marriage officiants below, read their reviews. See if the review resonates with what you want to see in your ceremony.
Third, verify the commissioner’s registration with the province. Use the link to make sure the commissioner of your choice is property accredited to perform your marriage ceremony.
Finally, communicate to your wedding commissioner. Talk to them about what you want. Ask for their creative input. Make sure it fits you. Talk to them openly. The more you tell them, the better the result will be.
Verify a marriage officiant in Alberta
Anyone can state he or she is a wedding commissioner. However, the province of Alberta takes it seriously and has a directory of all accredited marriage officiants. Make sure you check your commissioner before you book them.
Best marriage officiants
You can search Service Alberta for marriage officiants but their list doesn’t include customer reviews. We collected wedding commissioners that are highly recommended on Google reviews.
Top overall by Google Reviews
Married by Cole – Calgary wedding officiant
5.0 stars based on 133 reviews on Google and 110 on WeddingWire
111 25 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2S 3G4
+17809942378
marriedbycole.com
Tamara Jones – Calgary Marriage Commissioner, Officiant
4.9 stars based on 98 reviews on Google and 46 on WeddingWire
7 Tuscany Estates Close NW, Calgary, AB T3L 0B4
+14034636918
weddingsbytamara.com
Urban Officiant – Marriage Officiants
5.0 stars based on 81 reviews
17 Masters St SE, Calgary, AB T3M 2C1
+14034644131
urbanofficiant.com
Sharon Barwick Weddings
5.0 stars based on 77 reviews on Google and 81 on WeddingWire
+14038801900
sharonbarwickweddings.com
Calgary Northwest
Tamara Jones – Calgary Marriage Commissioner, Officiant
4.9 stars based on 98 reviews on Google and 46 on WeddingWire
7 Tuscany Estates Close NW, Calgary, AB T3L 0B4
+14034636918
weddingsbytamara.com
Robert Rooney Marriage Commissioner
5.0 stars based on 3 reviews and 4.6 (9 reviews on WeddingWire)
8120 Beddington Blvd NW, Calgary, AB T3K 2A8
+14032751704
robertrooney.com
Calgary Northeast
Shirley Barwise Marriage Commissioner
4.5 stars based on 2 reviews
140 Martinview Close NE, Calgary, AB T3J 2P2
+14038070147
Calgary Southwest
Married by Cole – Calgary wedding officiant
5.0 stars based on 133 reviews on Google and 110 on WeddingWire
111 25 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2S 3G4
+17809942378
marriedbycole.com
Vows by Judy
5.0 stars based on 23 reviews on Google and 72 on WeddingWire
4004 4 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T3C 0C1
+14038697112
vowsbyjudy.ca
JP Weddings
5.0 stars based on 22 reviews
1808 36 Ave SW Suite 221, Calgary, AB T2T 6J2
+14038031132
jpweddingsyyc.com
Weddings by Sheri-D Wilson, Alberta Marriage Commissioner
4.5 stars based on 16 reviews
4411 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T3C 0L9
+14036864292
sheridwilsonmarriage.ca
Graeme Morton – Marriage Commissioner
5.0 stars based on 15 reviews
22 Malibou Rd. SW, Calgary, AB T2V 1W6
+14036928545
graememorton.ca
Jacqueline Hoare – Creating Ceremonies With Heart
5.0 stars based on 12 reviews on Google and 37 on WeddingWire
220 Oakmoor Pl SW, Calgary, AB T2V 4A4
+14038186430
lifecelebrant.ca
Wilma Dodge
5.0 based on 9 reviews
95 Cougar Ridge Landing SW, Calgary, AB T3H 0X8
+14032758424
weddingsbywilma.ca
Calgary Southeast
Urban Officiant – Marriage Officiants
5.0 stars based on 81 reviews
17 Masters St SE, Calgary, AB T3M 2C1
+14034644131
urbanofficiant.com
Hitched by Dustin – Calgary Wedding Officiant
5.0 stars based on 46 reviews
Calgary, AB T2Z 2T4
+14037714404
hitchedbydustin.com
Talk to our wedding planning team if you’d like to book our preferred marriage commissioner.