Toronto City Hall Wedding vs a hired Officiant?

12 hours ago
3 min read

Why couples still prefer to hire an Officiant, rather than opting for a Toronto City Hall Wedding Ceremony.

For context, it has been 19 years since the City of Toronto last directly offered civil ceremonies at Old City Hall. After that program ended, a third-party group, Ministerial Associates, rented space inside City Hall and brought in licensed independent officiants to perform ceremonies branded as “Toronto City Hall Weddings.”

They aren’t city clerks, but private officiants operating in a municipal building. When COVID closed those doors, couples quickly realized something important: a simple, affordable civil ceremony never required City Hall at all. You could hire your own officiant and get married in a park, at home, in a backyard, or anywhere you wished with the same legal validity, more flexibility, and at a lower cost.

Now that the City is once again offering clerks to perform short civil ceremonies to generate revenue, many couples are still choosing independent officiants. Here’s why:

1. Personal Contact

With an independent officiant, you know who you’re hiring. You can read reviews, see their personality, and speak to them directly. After your wedding, they remain your personal contact, whether it’s a postal strike, a misspelled name on paperwork, or questions about getting your certificate. You’re not assigned to a rotating clerk you’ll never reach again.

2. Personality & Comfort

This is your wedding even if it’s small, and it should have a happy vibe. You shouldn’t feel rushed because another couple is waiting. Independent officiants choose this work because they care about you and your experience. You get to see who we are ahead of time on social media, not meet a stranger five minutes before you say “I do.”

3. Flexibility

Running late? Weather change? Need witnesses? Officiants don’t see you as a time slot, we see you as people. We work with you to make it happen, not cancel and move on to the next appointment.

4. Accommodation & Sensitivity

Chosen names, blended families, accessibility needs, language support and independent officiants adapt with compassion. Whether you want something meaningful and emotional or simple and efficient before a destination wedding, we tailor the moment to you.

5. Less Costly with a Relaxed Vibe (with Tips!)

Many independent officiants offer packages that are just as affordable, or even less expensive than Toronto City Hall Weddings. You can choose your location and avoid downtown parking fees. You can get as dressed up or down as you wish. And, if you are planning another celebration or a destination celebration, we offer practical advice and seasoned guidance.

6.Professional Focus

Officiating isn’t a side task, it’s our profession. We stay current on processes, paperwork, and evolving policies because our reputation depends on it. For instance, if you are told that you have to wait 6-8 weeks before you can order your Marriage Certificate, you don't. If you are told that there is no way to expedite getting your Certificate faster, you can. If they have made an error on the licence such as using white out, or switching your first name for your last name, an Officiant will catch these issues before they escalate, a city clerk will not. (And yes, I've seen it all!)

A “city hall wedding” was never about the building. It was about simplicity. And independent officiants have been delivering that with warmth, flexibility, and personal care all along.