How much does a wedding officiant cost in Ontario?

Couples ask me this before anything else, and they deserve a straight answer. Here is what officiants charge in Ontario, why the numbers vary as much as they do, and how to tell a fair quote from an inflated one.

The short answer

In 2026, a licensed wedding officiant in Ontario typically charges $350 to $900 for a ceremony. Around Hamilton, Burlington and the Golden Horseshoe, most quotes land between $450 and $850.

• [City hall or a courthouse civil ceremony](/services/civil-ceremonies): roughly $150 to $300, at a fixed time slot, with a standard script and no personalisation.
• [Elopements and micro-weddings](/services/elopements) (a short, personal ceremony for a handful of guests): $350 to $500.
• [A full personalised ceremony](/services/weddings) with a consultation, a script written for you, a rehearsal and on-site coordination: $650 to $900.
• Religious clergy: often a donation to the congregation plus an honorarium, which can be anywhere from $200 to $600.

My own packages are listed with prices, so you can compare without asking. I officiate across Hamilton, Burlington, Mississauga, Brampton and the rest of the Golden Horseshoe.

What makes the price go up

Writing time. A ceremony written from scratch, in your words, takes several hours of conversation and drafting. That is most of the fee.

A rehearsal. Coordinating the processional, the readings and the ring exchange the evening before adds a second visit.

Travel. Most officiants include a radius (mine covers Hamilton and the surrounding cities with no travel fee). Beyond it, expect mileage or a flat travel fee, and for destination weddings, accommodation.

Peak dates. Saturdays from June to October book up first. Some officiants charge more for them; I keep one price year-round.

Extras. Multilingual ceremonies, a second officiant, unity rituals that need props, or a signing table supplied by the officiant may be priced separately.

What should be included, always

Whatever the price, a complete quote covers:

• A planning meeting or call to get to know you.
• The ceremony script, with drafts you can edit.
• Guidance on your vows, if you are writing your own.
• The legal part: witnessing the signatures, completing the licence, and registering the marriage with the Office of the Registrar General.
• Arriving early on the day and staying until the paperwork is done.

If a quote does not clearly include registration of your marriage, ask. That step is what makes you legally married.

What is not included

• The marriage licence itself, which you buy from a municipality (about $150 to $180). See my guide to getting a marriage licence in Ontario.
• Your marriage certificate, ordered afterwards from ServiceOntario.
• Venue fees, a sound system, chairs or a signing table, unless stated.

How to compare quotes

1. Ask what is included, in writing.
2. Ask how many drafts of the script you can request.
3. Ask whether the officiant has a backup if they fall ill. A professional will have one.
4. Read reviews and, ideally, watch a short video of them officiating. Delivery matters more than price.
5. Check they are registered to solemnize marriages in Ontario. You can ask for their registration number.

Is a cheaper officiant a bad idea?

Not necessarily. A short, well-delivered civil ceremony is exactly right for some couples. What you are paying for at the higher end is time: the hours spent listening to you and writing something nobody else will ever hear. If a personal ceremony matters to you, budget for it the way you budget for photography. If it does not, say so plainly and choose the simpler option with a clear conscience.

If you would like a quote for your own day, tell me about it and I will come back with a firm number.