The Hitching Post

Can You Get Married at the Last Minute in Ontario?

Every once in a while, my phone rings and I hear some version of: “We know this is really last minute, but… is there any chance you could marry us?”

And my answer is often: Quite possibly!

Not every wedding needs months of planning. Sometimes life changes. Sometimes plans fall through. Sometimes a couple simply decides they don’t want to wait anymore.

And sometimes two people wake up and think, “Why don’t we just get married?”

I happen to love those calls.

How quickly can you get married in Ontario?

The ceremony itself can often be arranged quite quickly. The important thing is making sure you have everything legally required for an Ontario marriage, including a valid marriage licence and an authorized wedding officiant.

Once those pieces are in place, your wedding doesn’t have to be complicated.

Depending on availability, I can sometimes accommodate weddings on very short notice here in Niagara.

What about witnesses?

You need two witnesses for a legal marriage ceremony in Ontario.

But if you’re dreaming of a true elopement and don’t want to bring anyone with you, don’t let that stop you.

At the Wee Wedding Cottage in Niagara-on-the-Lake, we can arrange witnesses for our elopement ceremonies. You really can arrive as two people and leave as a married couple.

Does a last-minute wedding have to feel rushed?

Absolutely not.

There’s a difference between a wedding that is arranged quickly and a ceremony that feels hurried.

Even a simple elopement can have laughter, beautiful words, meaningful vows, rings, photographs and those wonderful little moments you’ll remember years from now.

Just because it’s small doesn’t mean less important. Having a simple ceremony certainly doesn’t mean boring. Actually, they can be the most memorable,

Where can we have a small wedding in Niagara?

There are plenty of possibilities throughout Niagara, depending on the kind of wedding you have in mind.

I also offer intimate ceremonies at the Wee Wedding Cottage in Niagara-on-the-Lake, including elopements and small weddings.  For those wishing a ceremony with reception possibilities for up to 15 people, we have a beautiful venue in St. Catharines that will host.

During the warmer months, couples can marry in our garden gazebo. We also have our little indoor Sunroom Chapel for very intimate ceremonies.

It’s intentionally uncomplicated.

You don’t have to book a ballroom, order 75 dinners or spend the next six months deciding between twelve shades of napkin.

You can just get married.

What if our circumstances are a little unusual?

I’ve been marrying people for a long time, and I’ve learned that couples don’t always fit neatly into wedding-industry boxes.

You may be travelling to Niagara and suddenly decide this is the perfect place to marry. Your original plans may have fallen apart. You might want a private LGBTQ+ wedding where you know you’ll be welcomed. You may be older and have absolutely no desire for a traditional wedding production. Or perhaps you’ve simply decided that the important part isn’t planning a wedding.  It’s being married.

I believe your ceremony should reflect the two of you.

Thinking about a last-minute wedding in Niagara?

If you’re wondering whether we can make it happen, reach out.

Tell me when you’d like to marry, how many people you’d like to have with you, and what you’re imagining.

If I’m available and we can meet Ontario’s legal requirements, we’ll see what we can do. Sometimes the best weddings begin with: “This might sound crazy, but…” Those are some of my favourite phone calls.