Weekend wedding and naming celebrant

Couples wanting a non-religious or personalized wedding, and families marking a baby's naming or a vow renewal.

A fixed fee per ceremony, usually in packages (for example a simple ceremony, or a full one with a planning meeting, rehearsal and custom script).

• Confident public speaking
• Warm, calm manner with nervous people
• Good writing and storytelling
• Organized and reliable on the day

• Authorization to legally marry couples differs by province and territory, so confirm what you need before taking bookings
• Naming ceremonies are not legal documents, so be clear with clients about what you can and cannot sign
• Check whether you need commercial general liability insurance or whether venues ask for proof of cover
• Wedding demand is seasonal, with summer and early autumn busiest in much of Canada
• Check whether your municipality requires a licence for home-based businesses
• Register for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $200 to $1,200, depending on what you spend on training, materials and promotion. Check whether you need liability insurance or whether venues ask for proof of cover.

Check first, as authorization to legally marry couples differs by province and territory. Be clear that naming ceremonies are not legal documents. Also check municipal home-based business licence rules and GST/HST registration once revenue passes the small supplier threshold.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $300 to $2,000, depending on how many ceremonies you book. You might start with about 5 hours a week. Demand is seasonal, with summer and early autumn busiest in much of Canada.