Waterdown, Ontario

Wedding & funeral officiant in Waterdown.

Luanne Wilbur writes and officiates personal weddings, elopements and celebrations of life across Waterdown and the surrounding area.

9 km from Hamilton · no travel fee

Tell me about your day See ceremonies & prices

Waterdown is ten minutes from my door, and its ceremonies have a village feel: the old stone buildings along Dundas Street, the gorge at Smokey Hollow where Grindstone Creek drops over the escarpment, and the backyards, barns and family properties out in Flamborough. I officiate weddings, elopements, vow renewals and celebrations of life across Waterdown, Carlisle and the rest of Flamborough.

Waterdown is inside my free 25 km, so there is never a travel fee.

Your marriage licence in Waterdown

Waterdown is part of the City of Hamilton, so the licence is Hamilton's: $178, valid for 90 days anywhere in Ontario. The Flamborough Municipal Service Centre, 163 Dundas Street East in Waterdown, lists marriage licences among its services and is open Monday to Thursday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Applications are walk-in; arrive at least 30 minutes before closing with two pieces of government ID each. More in my guide to getting married in Hamilton.

Where to get married around Waterdown

Westfield Heritage Village

In Rockton, west of Waterdown, the Hamilton Conservation Authority hosts weddings at Westfield Heritage Village: ceremonies in the Victorian church, the log church or the bandstand, receptions in Ironwood Hall. Book directly with Westfield.

Smokey Hollow

The ten-metre falls on Grindstone Creek are right in the village, on the Bruce Trail, with a small parking lot off Mill Street. They are lovely for a quiet moment together; stay on the marked trails, and never cross the railway tracks.

The Royal Botanical Gardens

The gardens are a few minutes away. They are not taking ceremony-only bookings at the moment, but professional photos are allowed with a permit at Hendrie Park, the Rock Garden and the Arboretum, in three-hour slots.

At home in Flamborough

Many Waterdown and Carlisle couples marry in a backyard, a barn or on a family farm. I come to you, and I will walk the spot with you beforehand.

Prices

The Simple Legal Service is $300, the Signature Ceremony $500 with a rehearsal, and a celebration of life $300. No travel fee in Waterdown or Carlisle. See the packages.

Celebrations of life in Waterdown

I can usually meet a family within a day or two and lead the service at a funeral home, a church or community hall, a garden or a family home. How a celebration of life works with me.

Questions Waterdown couples ask

Can we get married at the Royal Botanical Gardens?

Not with a ceremony-only booking at the moment; the gardens' weddings are packaged with receptions. Check rbg.ca for the current offer, or come for photos with a permit.

Do you officiate backyard weddings?

Yes, often. Tell me roughly how many guests and where you will stand, and I will plan the ceremony around the space.

Ceremonies & prices

Ceremonies, written for one room.

Every ceremony is drafted in your voice, paced for your guests and rehearsed before the day. Packages run $300–$500, everything included — no hidden fees, no upsells.

Weddings

Personal, modern ceremonies

From intimate elopements to full traditional weddings — officiated with warmth, clarity, and care.

From$300· 2 packages

Up to 25 minute ceremony
Completion of all legal requirements under the Ontario Marriage Act
Marriage licence signed and registered

See what's included

Elopements

Just the two of you, or very nearly

A short, entirely personal ceremony for two people and a couple of witnesses — on the escarpment, at the waterfront, in a garden, or anywhere that means something to you. Same care and same legal rigour as a full wedding, without the production around it.

From$300· 2 packages

Up to 25 minute ceremony
Completion of all legal requirements under the Ontario Marriage Act
Marriage licence signed and registered

See what's included

Vow Renewals

Saying it again, on purpose

For couples marking five years or fifty, a second marriage, a hard season come through, or a wedding day that never quite felt like theirs. There is no licence and no paperwork — just the ceremony you would have written if you had known then what you know now.

$500all in

Complimentary consultation and planning meeting
A completely personalized ceremony script
Assistance with renewed vows (optional)

See what's included

Celebrations of Life

Honouring a life, with dignity

Compassionate, personalised funeral and memorial services that gently centre the people you have loved.

$300all in

Family planning meeting
Custom eulogy & readings
Rehearsal with the family and speakers

See what's included

Not sure which one fits, or need something the packages don’t cover?

Tell me about your day

In their words

Couples and families, on what the day felt like.

“You made the day more special than we can put into words. We rewatched the ceremony the other day and I’m still just so blown away at how amazing you were. We feel so lucky that you played such an important role in our day because you mean the world to us ❤️❤️❤️”

Ruby

Wedding · October 2025

Good to know

Questions, answered.

How far in advance should we book?

For weddings, 6–12 months is typical, though I can sometimes accommodate shorter timelines. For funerals and celebrations of life, I move quickly — usually within days.

How do we book you?

You can fill out the inquiry section right here on the website, or call or text me at 289-994-2665

How much do you charge?

My prices are published and the same all year. The Simple Legal Service is $300: up to 25 minutes, every legal requirement of the Ontario Marriage Act, and your licence signed and registered. The Signature Ceremony is $500: a consultation, a ceremony written for you, help with your vows, a rehearsal, and the licence filed. A celebration of life is $300. There is no deposit to enquire, and travel is free within 25 km of Hamilton.

Do you travel outside Hamilton?

Yes. I officiate anywhere within 70 km of Hamilton: Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Mississauga, Brampton, Toronto, Brantford, Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo and the Niagara Region. Travel is free for the first 25 km, which covers Hamilton, Dundas, Ancaster, Stoney Creek, Waterdown and Burlington. Beyond that it is $0.70 per km past the first 25 km (one way), and I confirm it in writing before you book.

Where I officiate

Hamilton, and every town within an hour of it.

Weddings, elopements and celebrations of life across the Golden Horseshoe. No travel fee within the region.

Enquire

Tell me about your day.

A few details is all I need to tell you whether your date is free and what it would cost. No deposit, no obligation.

1I read it myself and reply within one business day.
2We talk it through — by email, or a short call if you prefer.
3If it feels right, I hold your date. Nothing is owed until then.

Phone

289-994-2665

Service area

Hamilton and everywhere within 70 km