I married my daughter

East Kildonan

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/03/2025 (212 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

One year ago, I was given the greatest honour of my life – marrying my daughter Jordan to her husband Adam. Applying for a marriage commissioner’s licence is an easy process, and I highly recommend this idea to families planning a wedding.

While planning their event, we all attended the Wonderful Wedding Show. It was a great opportunity to interview many vendors, all in one place. As the kids were discussing a wedding commissioner, I blurted out “I’d do it.” I am not afraid of public speaking but, moreover, I know both so well, and I thought it would make the ceremony personal and special.

After some discussion, the kids formally asked me to do it. I accepted.

The process of the three of us planning the wording of the ceremony was such a wonderful, fulfilling experience. It was a ceremony that no one had heard before, because it was truly written just for them. We included personal anecdotes, and the kids wrote their own vows and their own ring-exchange words. And I cried when the time came to pronounce them husband and wife.

Since then, I have been asked several times if I would perform a ceremony for a friend. Sorry, but no. Here is the reason why, and the reason for my article:

I recommend that you find someone within your own family or circle of friends to do it. It is simple to get your commissioner’s licence, and it is so meaningful for the special couple (and guests) to have this personal touch at the ceremony.

If you are interested, please go to the Manitoba Vital Statistics website.

Choose (from the left side) “Getting Married / Marriage Licence Requirements”

Scroll to the bottom of the page to find: “Apply to become a Marriage Commissioner”

You will have a choice of becoming a one-time commissioner or a five-year commissioner. Either choice costs just $100. The one-time licence is just for one day, one occasion. The other lasts five years and allows you to perform an unlimited number of ceremonies, but it is important to note that this option puts your name and contact information on a public registry, and anyone can contact you to ask you to perform their ceremony.

When a couple applies for a marriage licence, they receive an envelope to give to the person marrying them. The Province of Manitoba requires the Commissioner to say two things at the ceremony (and receive a response from both parties) for a marriage to be legal. Within five days after the marriage, the commissioner must deliver the completed and certified registration of marriage to the Vital Statistics Branch at 254 Portage Ave. in Winnipeg. A few weeks later, my daughter and her husband received their marriage certificate by mail.

Happy first wedding anniversary, Jordan and Adam!