Rev. Dr. Brian - Wedding Officiant

05/21/2026

A little bit about why I chose to become a minister and wedding officiant.

Today my son asked me why I became a minister and why I love to marry people. So I told him a little of my story.

A little over 32 years ago, before I became officially ordained, I was already being treated as a religious leader and spiritual counsellor by a large group of friends, because my passion for studying various faiths and traditions and how I can connect faith and spirituality to meaningful relationships was already a prominent part of my life. So many people already came to me for guidance, concerns, questions and conversations.

One evening a couple of good friends of mine came to me and asked me to marry them. I had informed them that I couldn’t legally marry them at the time, but that I could perform a commitment ceremony for them, they would just have to go down to city hall for a civil ceremony to make everything legal afterwards. They said they did not care, they wanted me to perform their ceremony and that it would mean the world to both of them if I did.

So that night, with a few friends gathered and after they had some time to prepare, I married the two of them in my home. At the end of it all, I had a massive “ah-ha” moment, a final piece of the puzzle fell into place, answering the big question of why I do what I do, why I spent so much time studying, practicing and learning all of these different things. I knew what I wanted to do with my life! I wanted to help build healthy relationships and marry people, to share in their special moment and help to bring more needed love into the world!

I told him, every person in the world has that one defining moment, that one instance where something clicks, that epiphany “ah-ha” moment when they know who they are and what they are meant to do. I told him that I wanted him to keep an open mind and open heart so that he can pay attention for his defining moment. Because everything I do, everything I strive to do with and for others, it can all be traced back to that one moment in my life!

Brightest Blessings everyone!

05/18/2026

Advice From A Wedding Officiant!

You know most people love a wedding, some even spend their whole life thinking about the perfect wedding day, planning things down to the last detail. Couple spend time contemplating the future, imagining how great things are going to be, and making all kinds of plans together. And you know it’s always nice to think about the bright side of things.

But I was contemplating the traditional marriage vows, you know the ones. “I, …. take you, …., to be my [husband / wife] to have and to hold from this day forward,for better, for worse,for richer, for poorer,in sickness and in health,to love and to cherish,till death us do part." Based off of the Anglican Book of Common Prayers. And there are just some things that couples don’t often consider with these words, because they are swept up in the moment. So I wanted to share some thoughts on this.

It’s not uncommon for couples to focus in on the good times, the fun, the shared laughter, the memories created moving forward, and these are all great as you grow old together. But focusing in on the positives, ignoring the rest, only gives you half the picture. While they are the positive aspects of marriage, lasting strong marriages are forged in those negative aspects that come with marriage.

It is easy to be with someone when they are healthy and vibrant, but commitment that binds and strengthens the marriage are forged during those periods where sickness and illness enter in. It is easy to get along when your finances are going great and you have freedom without worry, but staying together when there is financial strain and struggles requires deep understanding and a shared unity with each other.

There are of course going to be good times where you get along, looking at each other with love and compassion. And there are going to be times where you get on each other’s nerves and fail to communicate properly with one another. That is completely natural in marriage, those are the moments that you strengthen your empathy, where you learn to let go of the pain and frustration and forgive each other. And this will happen over and over again throughout the years.

But is by staying strongly united and keeping the love for one another alive, that all of those good times and bad times really pay off. Because those good times are the rewards, the rest and repose between those tough times that make the relationship stronger, more resilient, and more worthwhile!

It is always good to remind yourself as you are approaching the altar and standing before the minister (officiant) that you chose each other for a reason, that the person that you are standing beside is the person you fell in love with. Knowing this, you know that together, standing as one, you are exactly where you are supposed to be!

Brightest Blessings!

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05/11/2026

Let your marriage proposal reflect your personality!

When you are thinking about proposing to the love of your life, it should be a reflection of who you are as person, it should feel authentic and not be a performance for the benefit of others. When you are ready the proposal only requires two things: your love for each other and the answer to the question, everything else is pomp and circumstance.

Society and the media have made marriage proposals this elaborate big deal, with all of these grand gestures. So many people think that they have plan out these massive adventures or costly romantic gestures to set the stage for popping the big question. This plays on the concepts of living up to some fantasy and the idea of keeping up or competing with others. Yet, when you ask elderly couples or couples who have been married 30, 40, 50 years, most say the same thing, the proposal was simple, it was spontaneous, it was genuine!

While the grand gestures are nice, the adventures together can set a wonderful stage, the best thing that you can do regardless of how you propose is to make that person feel like you are present with them in that moment, and that they are the only person in the world for you. Make it a surprise, something spontaneous and something that speaks to the love you share with each other.

It is about making the proposal something from the heart. No matter how grand or how simple you make it, both of you need to feel that love in that moment. Now when I say simple, this does not mean turning to your partner while chilling on the couch and saying “Hey wanna get married?” You need to put some effort into it and feel when the right time and the right space to propose is. And it should be a reflection of your relationship together.

Don't let the plan become too complex, as this increases the chance of things going wrong. The focus should always be on love, not theatrics. And think about what would feel the most meaningful to the one you asking to be your partner for the rest of your life!

05/10/2026

Love Has No Labels! Love Has No Boundaries! Love Is Love!

05/10/2026

05/05/2026

Why prioritizing time with your partner after the ceremony is important!

You did it! You went through all that time planning the day, making sure payments were made, venues were booked, meals and cake were planned out, and you got an officiant that you want to work with. You went through all the stress and struggles, and you are finally married. But after the ceremony is over, everyone wants to pull you away from each other to speak or to take a picture or whatever. But you just want to spend time with one another to catch your breath and relax.

Spending time with your partner on your wedding day is the whole reason why you are there! And while you are supposed to be playing host to your guests, if you are not careful, then the whole event can turn into just playing the dutiful host to everyone, rather than spending time together and celebrating your special day with one another.

It is importantly that you make time for each other, to give yourselves the space to just be in the moment together. To embrace everything that you have accomplished, overcome, and succeeded in to get to this point. And you need that space and that break to simply be in love with each other.

So speak with your wedding party, have them run interference for you, after all the wedding pictures are done and before the reception kicks off, so that the both of you can have that moment together. Use this time to just enjoy each other’s company and to let your nerves and mind settle! Love each other, spend time in silence if you need to. It is all about simply allowing yourselves the space to just be a couple and to remind each other that you did it. You are finally married!

05/05/2026

A little marriage humour because it’s inevitable that one partner is always going to be cold, while other partner is always going to feel hot!

05/04/2026

Woohoo! I have been selected by a wonderful couple to be flown down to Illinois to perform a wedding (commitment) ceremony for them! It is going to be a great ceremony with heathen undertones to match their energies and personalities, so that they can pay homage to their ancestors while being respectful of their family members! Very excited for this adventure! Congratulations to Sharayah and Aaron on your upcoming wedding day!

04/25/2026

Hooray!!! One more couple to be married this coming August. Congratulations to Lindsay and Andrew on your up-coming wedding day. I am honoured to officiate your special day for you, and look forward to helping you celebrate your special moment together!

04/11/2026

Morning Folks!

You know there are a lot of things that I do as a minister, but one of the greatest joys of my life is getting to stand before a couple as they say “I do!” This is one of the greatest feelings and a sincere honour each and every time. Seeing the look on each others’ faces as I read through their ceremony and address their loved ones always fills my heart with joy and love. I welcome all partnerships and feel blessed to be able to share in a couple’s special day!

02/14/2026

Quote of the day: “Love is not just the warmth in our hearts, but the light we choose to be in someone else's darkness. When we understand this, every small act of kindness becomes a love letter to the universe." - Unknown

Affirmation for each of you:

I am worthy of deep, authentic love that nourishes my soul. Love flows to and through me effortlessly, filling every cell of my being with its golden light. My heart is open to giving and receiving love in its purest form. I attract relationships that honour my highest good and support my spiritual growth. The love I seek is already within me, radiating outwards abd drawing in beautiful connections. I trust in divine timing and know that love unfolds perfectly in my life. I am love, I embody love, and I share love freely with those around me. My capacity to love grows stronger each day, and I recognize the sacred in all relationships. I release any past hurts and welcome new love with an open heart. The universe conspires to bring me relationships that align with my truest self!