Wedding Officiating & Marriage Counselling
YOUR SPECIAL DAY deserves to be a centrepiece as it begins a new phase of your entire life. Give it the attention and care it deserves. Pre-marital counselling provides the foundation for a strong, lifelong relationship together.
Wedding ceremonies should reflect the personalities and values of the couple getting married.
Ensure that the person guiding your ceremony has taken the time to understand what’s important to you and what elements you would like to include in your ceremony including the content of each element.
DECLARATION OF INTENT
Often glossed over in many ceremonies, this aspect clearly communicates your desire to be joined together with another person. The Officiant will ask you a clear question of your intent, crafted in language that fits with your personalities and character. It usually ends with you responding with the well-known words, “I do.”
VOWS
The true heart of your ceremony, many individuals and couples choose to write their own vows. These statements you proclaim in front of your chosen witnesses and observers describing what you promise to do and be for your lifelong partner.
EXCHANGING OF RINGS
Most individuals choose, as demonstrated by our cultural tradition, to exchange a ring with their partner as a symbol of the vows they make on their wedding day. No law says it has to be a ring. Whatever is used, when it is exchanged, couples will state the purpose of the symbol so those present understand its significance. You may want to think meaningfully about what is said about any symbol you choose.
MAKING IT YOUR OWN
Each person and couple have unique backgrounds and values which should be central to your wedding ceremony. That might include faith perspectives, scripture or specific cultural aspects. These should all be considered when crafting a ceremony to meet the specific needs of each couple.
“Thank you so much for making our wedding ceremony meed our specific needs. It was amazing that you were able to take care of it all and in such a short time.”
Dr. Wes Thiessen, PhD
Wedding Officiant & Marriage Enrichment Specialist
Dr. Wes Thiessen has been marrying people for years. Certified as a marriage officiant as part of the clergy, Dr. Wes brings a unique blend of personal care for each individual and couple, along with a desire to incorporate personal preferences specific to those getting married. Believing in the strength of relationship, Dr. Wes puts a high value on investing in relationship in advance through pre-marital counselling.
Dr. Wes, a native of Calgary, AB, has spent 17 years living internationally, and has over 20 years of experience in post-secondary education. His international experience enables him to understand unique circumstances of couples from a variety of backgrounds. He speaks English and Arabic, has good command of French and can also carry on conversations in German and Hebrew.
“My Dad who is not one for weddings or religious ceremonies, said if Wes is doing it, he doesn’t care how religious it is, he’ll be there. For me, I was really nervous about the ceremony and saying the wrong thing, and Wes made it really relaxed and enjoyable and I laughed so much I didn’t have a chance to think about being nervous. It was amazing.”
Make sure you have someone who is on your side getting you started on the first day of the rest of your life. Dr. Wes will be on, and by, your side.
SERVICES
- Officiating at your Ceremony – $375
Wes will make sure your ceremony goes off with just one hitch—the happy couple! Personal touches will be incorporated to make your ceremony unique.
- Wedding Rehearsal – $125
Practicing the ceremony the day before will ensure that everyone who has a part to play will know what to do when, where and how. An essential part if you want the day to go off with only that one hitch!
- Pre-Marital Assessment – $100
Before you get married, invest in the services of an experienced professional to make sure you are on the right track. Including an individual assessment for each partner, this will cover 12 aspects of your personal relationship, finding both strength and growth areas. - Pre-Martial Counselling – $125/hr
- Spending some time with a professional means getting the guidance that’s right for you—communication skills, conflict resolution, unique personality characteristics—they all impact your relationship. Pre-marital counselling means you’ll get the attention providing a foundation for future good relationship.
- Package pricing – all of the above services can be combined to make an attractive price to include a pre-marital assessment, two hours of pre-marital counselling, your wedding rehearsal and the ceremony. Please contact Dr. Wes for details.
Pre-Marital Assessment Package – $300
Purchased in advance, this package includes the pre-marital assessment, a report for the couple, and two hours of pre-marital counselling with Dr. Wes.
- An initial consultation;
- The online multi-facet assessment with a report;
- Two sessions of one hour each to follow-up the assessment, creating unique steps forward for you;
“Your time spent with us has been an invaluable investment into our marriage. I’m so glad we did that!”