Civil Marriage Ceremonies | Township of North Huron

The Township of North Huron is pleased to offer non-religious, civil marriage ceremonies presided over by a legal Civil Marriage Officiant.

In the Province of Ontario, a civil marriage may be performed by a judge, justice of the peace, and a Municipal Clerk, or their delegate. The Township of North Huron Municipal Clerk has delegated their authority to legal, trained, and local Marriage Officiants who offer civil marriage services. A civil marriage ceremony is non-denominational and follows the requirements of the Marriage Act, R.S.O. 1990 for the Province of Ontario.

If you are planning on having a North Huron Officiant perform your marriage ceremony, please refer to the Civil Marriage Information & Planning Package by clicking below:

North Huron Civil Marriage Information And Planning Package

The fee for Civil Marriage Ceremonies is set out in the Township's Fees and Charges By-law. The fee is payable to the Township of North Huron by cash, debit, credit card or cheque and will be required to be paid at the time of confirmed booking to reserve your date and time with the desired Officiant. Please note that the fee for a Civil Marriage Ceremony does not include the cost of the marriage license, which is an additional cost set out in the Township of North Huron Fees and Charges By-law.

North Huron Civil Marriage Officiants

North Huron Civil Marriage Officiants are available to perform a civil marriage ceremony at any reasonable time and place of your choice. Scheduling a civil marriage ceremony should take place at least four (4) weeks prior to the intended date. Efforts will be made to accommodate your desired ceremony date and time.

A list of North Huron’s Civil Marriage Officiants and information about them is available below. Once you have determined your desired Officiant, couples must complete and submit the Civil Marriage Officiant Booking Form to begin the booking process. The couple is encouraged, while booking the Officiant, to advise of any accessibility requirements that may need to be taken into consideration by the Officiant.

Within two (2) days of submitting the booking form, Clerk’s Department staff will contact both the Marriage Officiant and couple to confirm availability and arrange for the payment of fees.

A civil marriage ceremony booking is considered “booked” once payment has been received in full and Clerk’s Department staff have confirmed the availability of the requested Marriage Officiant.

The following individuals are authorized to perform civil marriage ceremonies, under the delegated authority of the Municipal Clerk:

Alice McDowell

Alice McDowell is a retired Elementary School Principal with work experience in both Huron and Perth County. Alice enjoys spending her time being actively involved in the community, you may recognize her from being involved in both local hockey and soccer organizations with her children. She and her husband live on a 120+ year old family farm in East Wawanosh where they raised their three children and where she enjoys the company of her five grandchildren.

Alice strives to work with couples to create a personal and professional civil ceremony that will leave you with a meaningful and “perfect” ceremony.

Colleen Schenk

Colleen Schenk has been a resident of the Township of North Huron for 48 years. While raising her 3 children in Wingham, Colleen has participated in many community committees including; Wingham’s Planning Committee, canvassing for multiple causes such as the Canadian Cancer Society, a founding member of both Habitat for Humanity and MADD, and the Blyth Festival’s Art Gallery.

For 28 years, Colleen served as a trustee on the Huron County and Avon Maitland District School Boards. Ultimately that led to her involvement with the Ontario Public School Boards Association, serving in various capacities including President Of Ontario for over 3 years. These experiences have given Colleen the opportunity to speak in public and will help serve you better as you prepare for your event…whether it is a wedding, a vow renewal, or a memorial celebration.

Colleen looks forward to meeting with you prior to the event to ensure that your desires are incorporated into your celebration, and your needs are met. On your wedding day, Colleen vows (along with you of course!), to help make your celebration as unique or as simple as you desire.

Margaret Speer

Margaret “Maggie” Speer is the Marketing Coordinator for a local business in the community. With a background in Journalism, Competitive Public Speaking and Marketing, Maggie has a deep understanding of human connections, which she seamlessly integrates into her role as an officiant. Maggie enjoys spending time with her husband Dave, and their two boys on their family farm in East Wawanosh and playing the snare drum with The Brussels Legion Pipes and Drums.

Margaret strives to make your ceremony memorable, heartfelt, and truly one-of-a-kind, reflecting your unique journeys and love stories. Whether it’s a wedding, vow renewal, or memorial service, Maggie ensures each ceremony resonates deeply with all attendees.

To book a North Huron Marriage Officiant for your ceremony, please complete and submit the Marriage Officiant Booking Form.