We conduct simple, 'civil' (non-religious, non-denominational, secular) humanist weddings. These ceremonies are similar to those conducted by a 'Justice of the Peace", or a "City Hall wedding". We also conduct 'microweddings', a new name for 'elopements'. Mary is licensed as a Marriage Officiant by the Registrar General of Ontario, and the Ontario Humanist Society Since 2004, I have married over 1500 couples. Always happy to chat.
Wednesday
Who am I? Mary Beaty, Humanist Officiant
I have married about 1500 couples since 2004, and I offer simple and meaningful secular (non-religious) Humanist wedding services, including both traditional and modern ceremonies, for couples who wish to design their own weddings.
For more information and sample Ceremonies at WeddingsofToronto.com
Email me at MaryBeaty (at) Gmail (dot) com.
or:
SEND AN [ENQUIRY] FORM HERE
Simple Multicultural wedding - everyone is pretty happy!
Here is a nice family wedding, with a Scottish handfasting ceremony (and the tea ceremony for after).
And we marched back down the aisle to bubbles, of course.
Popup micro family wedding at UofT on a quiet Sunday morning
Quiet little micro wedding at Univ of Toronto |
It's summer, and University is quiet at the moment, especially on a Sunday morning before lunch. You can pre-BOOK a few places for small weddings (Hart House, Vic College, etc.). But sometimes you can also just wander in with a handful of family and find a quiet corner. I liked this stone step, because I'm really short and the groom was a Big Friendly Giant. Please contact me if you want to chat about location ideas.
Friday
ElopeToronto.com - Globe and Mail agrees this is a 'trend'
COUPLES ARE ELOPING TO CREATE ONE-OF-A-KIND WEDDINGS
well, after officiating at 1500 elopements in 20 years, I can agree with this article. (grin)
But there are a few RULES:
1) Tell your mom, if you tell your mom things anyway
2) Tell your best friend and siblings, if you tell them things anyway.
3) You don't need rings or flowers, unless you WANT them.
4) Dress up, or down, bring along a friend with a guitar, or don't bother.
5) Don't confuse an elopement with a flashmob wedding. Find a quiet tree, or your own apartment or a hotel, or a beach, or a backyard. Find a little peace and privacy for 20 minutes. THEN go out and take pix all over town if you wish.
there are zillions of articles on this blog with advice, or just contact me. MaryBeaty (at) Gmail.com
HAVE FUN!
Monday
Micro wedding at the Music Garden
What is a 'Micro Wedding' ? (aka PopUp wedding)
Micro wedding is a new term for a small private wedding. Here's a news clip about this 'trend'
Send us an enquiry here and we'll explain more.
We have conducted 'micro weddings' since 2004. They are also called 'elopements', 'small civil weddings', 'city hall weddings', 'pop-up weddings', 'house weddings', 'registry weddings', 'family weddings" and lots of other terms, and it basically means the way your great-grandparents were probably married.
In earlier days, people generally got married at home, in the 'parlour' or outside on the lawn. You got dressed in the bedroom, and the family and local ladies made the wedding brunch.
Today's couples often choose a park, the condo party room, someone's balcony, or a quiet corner of a city landmark, or any place you can gather with a small group for a half hour, the same as you would hold a graduation picnic, a birthday party, or just any little celebration. Dress-up is optional!
Feel free to write me with any questions, and I'm happy to make suggestions.
Save the funds you would have spent on the 'big fat' wedding - and go on a travel adventure!
A few recent micro elopements :)
Micro wedding in my apartment (check the sox!) |
Micro wedding in the backyard of my apartment |
Popup in the couple's condo |
Saturday
Winter locations for micro-weddings (popups, elopements, 'signings')
Brrr. Although we do conduct outdoor weddings in winter, and have ventured to snowy spots like the Brickworks. Grange Park and Riverdale Park, and even the skating rink at Nathan Phillips, I DO RECOMMEND indoor locations for your small intimate micro-wedding. We need to have about 30 minutes for the wedding and signing, and it gets COLD, and we can't sign if it's wet.
SO! Your apartment, my apartment, your friend's condo event room are handy. Most restaurants will let you stand in a quiet corner at 4pm (before evening service) and hold a quick wedding, (don't say "wedding", say "private meeting" - they don't want to worry about confetti and champagne serving). But do ask about private 'snugs', small dinner party rooms at places like the Irish pubs on the Danforth.
But you can also rent a co-working room at various locations, like the Centre for Social Innovation on Spadina, etc. Just think, 'where could I hold a small meeting?', and you'll think of places you could hold a small wedding. Contact me at marybeaty (at) gmail (dot) com, and I can offer suggestions. Happy planning!
How to arrange a simple legal non-religious 'civil' wedding in Toronto ('micro wedding')
Questions big or small? Use this [ENQUIRY FORM] and I'll write back! I will also send a sample contract and a fee scale. Fees are simple, and based on the size of the wedding, and include transportation and office fees. See FAQ and main website for more information for both small and larger events.
Mary is licensed as a Marriage Officiant ("wedding Celebrant") by the Registrar General of Ontario, and the Ontario Humanist Society and has performed over 1500 civil weddings. I am currently the Secular Humanist Chaplain at the University of Toronto
HUMANISM is an ethical philosophy of secular living, stating we all share a duty of care to each other, to lead ethical lives of compassion and respect, for other people, and the world we all share. Humanist Wedding Ceremonies are simple, meaningful, non-religious legal marriage ceremonies, which reflect your wishes, your values, and your story. We also provide ceremonies for baby-namings, memorials, and other life events.
Micro (popup) wedding in High Park on a sunny morning.
Newly married couple in High Park |
Friday
Small (micro) wedding at Victoria College
Micro elopement on the steps at Vic College |
The couple booked the STEPS at Vic College, and we had a lovely small wedding in the Quad. Around us were people taking photos for BIG weddings later in the day, but we were finished and happy and ready for the celebration dinner at a restaurant by the time the other couples were resting up for their events.
Small weddings are very traditional, actually - and quite fun.
Monday
Small restaurant wedding - on the patio at dusk
Here's a happy spring wedding. The rain stopped JUST LONG ENOUGH for us to set up the lights and the flags and a table for signing, and a lovely time was had by all.
The restaurant is Her Father's Cider (we had weddings there before when it was LOIRE).
Great food, lovely staff, very very happy evening.
Happy couple at a small family wedding |
30 guests at a 'micro wedding' |
Saturday
Small Legal wedding at home
Riverdale Home Wedding |
Small legal weddings are back, also called 'micro-weddings', a new term for elopements, in post-covid times. This is in Riverdale, walkable from my home. And yes, another tall couple. I think I'll start calling myself a Hobbit. But it was a happy wedding, with a few friends and champagne.