Civil Ceremonies

The municipality has authorized marriage officiants on staff to provide civil marriage services. Municipal officiants are legally able to officiate civil marriage ceremonies anywhere in Ontario, subject to availability and applicable travel fees. With three ceremonies to choose from, these ceremonies are an excellent option for couples seeking a non-denominational ceremony.

If you wish to avail of the services of a marriage officiant, it is recommended that you contact the Municipality to confirm availably for your preferred date prior to submitting the marriage licence application, as the application requires the intended date of marriage. Ceremonies can be booked for a fee any day of the year, subject to availability.

Please note, the fee for a civil marriage does not include the fee for marriage licence, these are separate costs. The cost for a civil ceremony varies depending on whether it takes place at the municipal office during regular business hours or takes place after-hours or at another location; fees for civil ceremonies (including travel expenses) are outlined in the Fees and Charges Bylaw.

For more information or to book a civil marriage, please contact the Legislative Services Department by email or phone 519-369-2200 ext. 229.

Civil Marriage FAQs

How do I book a civil marriage through the Municipality?

Contact the Department of Legislative Services via 519-369-2200 ext. 243 or email for further information or to book a civil marriage.

Pay the required fees by cash, debit, or cheque payable to the Municipality of West Grey at the time of booking.

Where can we be married?

We can perform your marriage ceremony at the municipal office. Travel fees apply for weddings held off-site.

If you are hosting a wedding on private property in West Grey, please be aware of the following:

Tents: if you are erecting a tent or other temporary structure on your property, you may require a tent permit from the Building Department.
Parking: ensure that your guests follow all posted parking signs and do not block driveways, lanes, or fire hydrants. Overnight parking is not permitted between November 1 and April 1.
Noise: the Municipality's Noise Bylaw limits noise likely to disturb the inhabitants of the Municipality, such as loud music and yelling. For more information on how to request a temporary noise exemption, please review the Noise Bylaw.
Alcohol: if you will be serving alcohol, please see the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) website. You may also wish to purchase Party Alcohol Liability insurance for your event through your insurance company.

Who can perform my marriage?

Your wedding must be performed by an officiant registered with the Province of Ontario.

The Municipality has a list of trained officiants who can legally perform your marriage.

Couples who wish to have a friend or relative perform their wedding ceremony are encouraged to speak with our Legislative Services Department about options to involve an unregistered officiant in a legal marriage ceremony.

What do I need to know about getting married outside of Ontario?

Every country has their own rules, requirements, and fees for getting married. Check with the Vital Statistics Office in the province or territory in Canada where you wish to get married. If you plan to get married outside of the country, check with the Canadian representative in the country in which you wish to get married. When you get married outside of Ontario, your marriage won't be registered in the province of Ontario. It will be registered in the province or country where you were married.

One popular option is to have a simple ceremony in Ontario (like a Marriage in Minutes) and then have a destination celebration. In this example, the legal wedding will take place and be registered in Ontario.

What happens after the ceremony?

Once the ceremony is complete, the Officiant will forward the Marriage Licence to the Office of the Registrar General to be registered.
The couple will be given a Record of Solemnization of Marriage. This keepsake is not a legal record of the marriage but it does contain your marriage licence number should it ever be needed.
The Marriage Certificate is the legal record of the marriage and must be ordered by the couple from the Office of the Registrar General.