‘Love love’: Innisfil sees spike in civil marriage ceremonies

When love came calling, Katie and Adam Born each chose to say “I do” at Innisfil Town Hall.

The local couple was supposed to be legally married before a destination wedding planned weeks ago. So on March 23, the pair – who have been together for 11 years – headed to the city’s administrative center for a low-key service with their two young children and another couple, who acted as witnesses, in tow.

“I wanted something intimate, small and light,” Katie said Innisfil Today. “City hall was our best option. We didn’t tell anyone we were doing it because we wanted the big celebration to happen while we were away.”

Even under-the-radar weddings can be stressful, so she appreciated the “top notch” level of communication from city staff regarding key details regarding the date, officiant and procedures leading up to the service.

“It was very easy and cost effective,” said Katie. “It was a well-oiled machine. The day itself went perfectly. The official was very flexible; my kids were running around like crazy all the time. Everything went exactly as I wanted.”

She will always remember the special vows she shared with Adam and him crying during the ceremony.

“I don’t see him cry very often,” she said.

They were one of seven marriages performed at the town hall that day. So it seems many more couples are putting a little love into their civil ceremonies these days.

In fact, the popularity of this wedding exchange method has “steadily grown” since the municipality started offering them in 2005, says registration coordinator Jamie Brain.

While many couples canceled large weddings due to restrictions on gatherings related to COVID-19 in 2020, the city safely held more than 60 civil ceremonies for those who wanted to keep their date. In 2023, Innisfil held 147 ceremonies, almost double the previous year.

“Over the past few years, we’ve found that many couples are moving away from big, expensive weddings in favor of simple, more personal ceremonies,” Brain said. “It’s a great option for couples who want to break away from a traditional ceremony; it’s fast, convenient and affordable. An added benefit is the ease of an all-in-one service where couples can obtain their marriage license as part of the ceremony booking process.”

Ceremonies cost $350 plus harmonized sales tax. And the city offers vow rehearsal and renewal services.

To ensure each big day runs smoothly, the city has two employees to perform ceremonies during standard business hours and three contract officials who can travel to couples’ homes, private venues and City Hall on weekends. They will also go outside the municipality for a fee.

For Wendy Ricciardi, helping happy couples get married has become a passion project. A long-time manager of the Innisfil ideaLAB and Library, she took on the role of officiant in 2016 ahead of her 25th wedding anniversary.

She expects to perform her 200th ceremony later this year.

“Look at the numbers; they just keep going up and up,” Ricciardi said. “I keep everyone’s name and date. i love love I love happiness and all the feeling of love. We give them introductions and vows to choose from. I organized the ceremony for them. Whatever questions they have, we have the answers. I try never to say no. I brought my bluetooth speaker for some couples. I let people put little petals in the boardroom. I’m going to make a family hit for them. I’m sure all of us (officiants) would do anything to make the day special.”

Ricciardi’s most memorable moments? After presiding over her first service, she brought the couple a bottle of champagne. He helped marry co-workers. A couple she married in a small service during the pandemic invited her back to hold a second, larger ceremony once health and safety restrictions were relaxed. She traveled for work to Hockley Valley and Creemore. And personalized vows often bring a tear or two to her eye.

And he was there for the day of the seven ceremonies in March, helping those born into wedded bliss.

“I was overjoyed when I left that day,” Ricciardi said. “I can’t say enough how much I love doing it. There were times when I had to pull it all together – it’s emotional.”

With the money raised for many households, a civil ceremony can overcome the need for a large, traditional service, Katie said.

“The major consideration is cost,” she said. “With the cost of living being so high these days and many young people getting married and having to buy houses, it’s just not worth spending all that money in one day. The cost was peanuts compared to other weddings I’ve attended for friends.”

Also, starting this month, the city will participate in the Ontario government’s new marriage license modernization program, which allows applications to be submitted through an online portal, simplifying the process for both the couple and license issuers.

More information about the city’s marriage program can be found at innisfil.ca.