Who Can Marry You in Kelowna — And How Do You Choose?

When you’re planning a wedding in Kelowna, there are plenty of decisions to make: the venue, flowers, food, music, photographer and, of course, who is going to stand up front and officially marry you. While it might seem like almost anyone could perform the ceremony, British Columbia has specific rules about who can legally solemnize a marriage.

For most couples in Kelowna, there are several options to consider.

Marriage Commissioners

A marriage commissioner is a popular choice for couples who want a civil, non-religious ceremony. Marriage commissioners are appointed by the Province of British Columbia and are authorized to perform legal marriage ceremonies. They can conduct ceremonies at many locations, including wedding venues, parks and private properties, provided the arrangements meet the legal requirements.

A commissioner can be a particularly good choice if you want a straightforward ceremony without religious elements. You can still personalize your vows, readings and other parts of the ceremony.

Religious Representatives

If faith is an important part of your relationship, you may want a religious representative such as a minister, priest, rabbi or other authorized religious official. In B.C., religious representatives must be registered with the Vital Statistics Agency and authorized to solemnize marriages.

This option can be especially meaningful if you belong to a particular congregation or want traditional religious customs incorporated into your wedding ceremony.

Treaty First Nation Designates

B.C. law also recognizes Treaty First Nation designates who are authorized under the laws of a treaty First Nation to solemnize marriages. Specific eligibility requirements apply, including requirements concerning membership in the relevant treaty First Nation.

For couples with a connection to a treaty First Nation, this can provide another culturally meaningful option.

What About a Friend or Family Member?

This is where couples sometimes get confused. You may have a best friend, parent, sibling or other special person you’d love to have standing beside you and conducting the ceremony. However, simply being asked to officiate does not make someone legally authorized to solemnize a marriage in B.C. The person performing the legal ceremony must have the appropriate authority under provincial law.

You can, however, involve a friend or family member in other meaningful ways. They could give a reading, tell your story, introduce the couple or even conduct a symbolic portion of the ceremony while an authorized officiant handles the legal requirements.

How Do You Decide Who Should Marry You?

The most important consideration isn’t necessarily price or availability. Think about what you want your ceremony to feel like.

Ask yourselves:

• Do we want a religious or non-religious ceremony?
• Do we want something traditional or highly personalized?
• Do we want someone who is funny and relaxed, or more formal and traditional?
• How comfortable are we with the officiant?
• Are they willing to learn about our relationship and tell our story?
• Will they help us feel relaxed on the wedding day?
• Are they familiar with the legal requirements?
• Do they fit the size, location and style of our wedding?

Remember that the ceremony is the part of the wedding where you actually make your commitment to one another. Your officiant will be standing with you during one of the most important moments of the day.

So when choosing someone to marry you in Kelowna, look beyond simply finding someone who is available. Choose someone whose personality, approach and values fit the kind of wedding ceremony you want to remember for the rest of your lives.