We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maureen McDermott a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Maureen, thanks for joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

My Officiant business is just one hat that I wear. I’m also a professional photographer and Reiki master and I infuse all of these into my weddings. My approach to wedding ceremonies is rooted in creating personal and unforgettable experiences for couples. The reaction from wedding couples has been overwhelmingly positive, with guests often remarking, “This is the first wedding I’ve attended where I truly paid attention to every word and felt sad when it was over.”

Word of mouth from impressed wedding guests and couples has been the main source of my business growth. With over 25 years of experience as a photographer, I seamlessly integrate candid shots before and after the ceremony, providing couples with memorable keepsakes that complement the work of their hired photographers.

During the ring ceremony, I infuse the power of Reiki as a Reiki master, using a crystal selenite bowl to pass around to immediate family and significant guests, allowing them to contribute their good wishes to the couple. The actual ring ceremony for the couple itself is a carefully guarded surprise, and I can confidently say that no one has ever been disappointed by this unique and meaningful moment.

In contrast to officiant agencies that offer generic ceremonies, I take a bespoke approach. Each ceremony is custom-crafted for the couple. I gather insights through in-person meetings, Zoom conversations, and thoughtfully designed questionnaires to weave their love journey into a one-of-a-kind ceremony.

My commitment to professionalism is unwavering—I always arrive punctually, dressed to impress, ensuring that every detail is perfect for the couple’s special day.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My journey to becoming a wedding officiant is a deeply personal and transformative story. Over the last decade, life presented me with profound challenges—I lost all four of my beloved siblings, and most recently, my mother, who battled Alzheimer’s and dementia until her passing at the age of 93.

Her struggle was further compounded by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which, for a period of six months, prevented me from being able to visit her in her long-term care home in Ontario. This experience plunged me into what felt like the darkest chapter of my life.

In the midst of this emotional turmoil, I found myself advocating for the well-being of elderly individuals in long-term care homes, a cause that became incredibly important to me. It was during this time that I met Christine, a friend and wedding officiant, who became a source of solace and support. Her friendship helped me navigate the immense grief and uncertainty that accompanied the challenges of those six months. Eventually, I started to manifest more Joy in my life. After all, I was getting really tired of all the grief.

One day, Christine suggested something that seemed out of reach at the time. She said, “You know, you would make a great wedding officiant.” At that moment, I couldn’t fathom how I could possibly bring happiness to others while I was grappling with my own sorrow.

However, the universe had its own plans for me and answered the call for Joy in my life. The plan unfolded rapidly. I serendipitously crossed paths with a woman who offered a course to become a certified officiant. Surprisingly, the process was straightforward and affordable. Before I knew it, my certificate was on its way, officially granting me the ability to unite couples in matrimony in Ontario.

As soon as I became a full-service officiant, clients started coming my way, and my journey as an officiant began. It was a remarkable turn of events, and I’ve never looked back since. This journey has not only allowed me to help others celebrate their love but has also provided a path to healing and happiness in the midst of adversity.

In addition to traditional wedding services, I also offer something truly special—an option for custom bespoke elegant elopements right on my property. I have a charming “Wee Wedding Cabin” that is perfect for hosting intimate elopements. The concept is simple: you and your partner arrive with your wedding license, and I take care of the rest. It’s an all-inclusive package at a reasonable price that provides you with all the elements of a larger wedding neatly wrapped into a hassle-free experience. You only need to show up, and I handle the rest, ensuring your elopement is as elegant and memorable as any big wedding celebration.
In addition to traditional wedding services and my charming “Wee Wedding Cabin,” I offer a diverse range of elopement services designed to cater to your unique desires. Whether you envision exchanging vows on a beach, aboard a boat, amidst the serenity of a forest, in the comfort of your own backyard, or even in a cozy coffee shop, I can make it happen. I’m here to transform your dream elopement into a reality, no matter the location or setting.

Furthermore, I provide services that cover just the legal paperwork, perfect for destination weddings or when you have another ‘Guest officiant’ or family member for your big wedding day but need the essential legal aspects handled separately. This flexible approach ensures that your wedding experience is tailored to your specific needs and desires, making your special day truly exceptional, wherever and however you choose to celebrate it.

I solve the problem of cookie-cutter ceremonies. Instead of generic scripts, I craft custom and bespoke ceremonies that authentically reflect the couple’s love story. I ensure that every element of the ceremony is a reflection of their unique journey together. By also offering Elegant Elopements, I ensure everyone can get married, regardless of their budget. In essence, you can have your wedding cake, and eat it too!

I’m most proud of the genuine connections I create with my couples and the trust they place in me to craft their special day. The fact that my business has grown primarily through word of mouth from satisfied clients speaks volumes about the quality of service I provide. For days after I perform a wedding, I’m on a natural high. The feeling you get when it’s you and the wedding couple and you have taken them over the threshold into marriage is indescribable. In fact, it’s just pure joy!

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

One of my most cherished experiences in my journey as a wedding officiant stems from my very first clients—a same-sex couple who trusted me before I had even completed my officiant certification. This story is a testament to the power of love, the importance of inclusivity, and the incredible opportunity that came my way.

When this couple initially reached out to my friend, Christine, an experienced officiant, they were met with an unfortunate reality. Christine was already double-booked for their wedding day, and their search for an officiant had been a challenging one. But, she presented the idea of hiring me, even though I had not yet started my course. They had encountered numerous officiants who, for various reasons, refused to marry them. Some were outright discriminatory, holding biases against same-sex couples, and others cited different, often trivial, reasons for their refusal.

As fate would have it, my journey into officiating began when I registered for an officiant course. During the course, the instructor posed a critical question: “Do you support and would you marry same-sex couples?” For me, there was never a moment’s hesitation. Love, after all, knows no boundaries, and I was just as eager to officiate same-sex weddings as I was for any other couples.

What makes this story truly remarkable is the unwavering faith this same-sex couple had in me, a budding officiant who had not yet received formal certification. Their trust in my commitment to equality and love was a gift beyond measure. They chose to embark on this journey with me, and I, in turn, had the privilege of officiating their wedding. It was an opportunity I could have only dreamed of, and it set the tone for the inclusive and meaningful weddings I would go on to create for countless couples, regardless of their gender or orientation.

This experience reaffirmed my belief that love transcends all barriers and solidified my commitment to making every wedding celebration a reflection of the profound and boundless love that unites two souls. It’s a story that continues to inspire me and reminds me of the remarkable power of love, trust, and inclusivity in the world of wedding officiating.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My journey as a wedding officiant took an unexpected turn in early 2023 that put my resilience to the test. At the time, I had only booked one wedding for the 2022 season. However, things were looking up as I began to receive bookings for weddings in 2023, marking an exciting period for my business.

Unfortunately, on my way to the airport for a trip out of the country, disaster struck. My luggage fell out of the back of the airport shuttle and was hit by several vehicles. Inside that luggage were the essentials I relied on to run my business—a Nikon camera and all its lenses, my laptop, prescription glasses, and more. The loss was not just financial but deeply personal, and the violent manner in which it occurred was devastating.

Upon arriving at our winter destination, I had to confront the aftermath of this loss, which included valuable items and precious photos from an elopement wedding. While I managed to salvage 30 high-resolution photos for the wedding couple, the loss of the other photos weighed heavily on me. The couple understandably became less understanding and demanded the missing photos, which were unfortunately gone, likely crushed by a passing vehicle.

Coming back from such a setback, replacing the financial losses, and finding the confidence to carry on was an incredibly difficult journey. However, it was a test of my resilience, and it reaffirmed my dedication to my craft and the couples I serve. This experience, though challenging, has strengthened my determination to provide exceptional wedding experiences and create lasting memories, even in the face of adversity.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.maureenmdermottofficiant.ca
• Instagram: maureenmcdermottofficiant
• Facebook: maureen mcdermott officiant celebrant
• Youtube: Maureen McDermott The Officiant

Image Credits
Jamie Doyle Photography Le Photography Sophie Stevenson