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	Creative Ways to Get Married
	story Debbie Bruce   No two couples are the same, and as a result no two weddings are ever the same. Nor should they be. Where a typical wedding with a big church, white gown and bustling reception may adhere to tradition, there are those who prefer to do something a bit more unique and unconventional. “When the couple starts the planning process envisioning their wildest fantasies for hosting an event as large or as intimate as their wedding, anything goes,” says Holly Carney, owner and lead coordinator of Mississauga’s Holly Matrimony Weddings (www.hollymatrimony.ca). “With ‘Out of the Box’ weddings, you’re going to get a really fun event that has been personalized to reflect the unique personalities of the Bride and Groom.” Do you want to take the plunge into marriage while jumping out of a plane at several thousand feet? No problem. How about reaching new heights by scaling a mountaintop as you exchange vows? Go for it. Do you plan for your attendants to be dressed as fellow Storm Troopers or Trekkies as you recite your vows in Klingon? Make it so. The sky is literally the limit as far as the theme of the wedding, all it takes is a little planning and a lot of imagination. “It’s a good idea with any wedding to start with a Certified Wedding Planner who has experience and the right network to be able to advise you on your journey,” advises Carney. “If you aren’t hiring a planner, the first step is brainstorming for ideas and then approaching the area or attraction you have in mind to ask them some questions.” Ask at the spot you’ve chosen if they’ve ever had a wedding there before (you’d be surprised how many ‘untraditional’ places have hosted weddings) so you can get referrals for officiants and other necessities. Many vendors specialize in adventure weddings (Niagara Falls is a hot spot for wild weddings), so getting married on the Spanish Aero Car as it suspends you and your witnesses over the whirlpool rapids is easier than you think. The challenge with creative weddings is finding an officiant and dealing with legal matters. Pledging your eternal love underwater is easy but finding an officiant with their scuba license might take some digging. And as unconventional as you want to be, getting married is a still a legal process and conventional laws may affect your overall vision, so you need to be flexible. Rowing out to the middle of your favourite lake to exchange ‘I do’s’ is fine, but the marriage license will likely have to be signed on land where a legal address can be used. Having a planner on your side to handle all of the legal and logistical legwork can save both time and money. You’ll also want to find an equally open-minded photographer so you’ll always have some high quality reminders of your special day. A little research will also have to be done if permits and waivers are necessary, depending on where and what you choose to hold the wedding. “I try to encourage all of my couples to have THEIR wedding, and make it a memorable day,” says Carney. “Dream, plan, and then enjoy.” GL