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Cortney Pasternak
Cortney Pasternak is licensed by the Registrar General of Ontario and the Ontario Humanist Society to provide Humanist (similar to civil or legal) marriage ceremonies in Ontario (though she is happy to officiate at many other life cycle events as well). She has been screened and trained by the Ontario Humanist Society, which is a vibrant, dynamic and growing organization. More about Cortney →
Category Archives: Blog
Mixing it up: Marriage Unions Becoming More Diverse in Canada
Increasingly, the couples and families I find calling for a Humanist wedding do so for a couple of key reasons. One reason is that they don’t follow the religious traditions of their parents or grandparents and they want a ceremony … Continue reading
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Tagged blended weddings, humanist officiants, Humanist weddings, mixed marriages
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The Wedding Book Alternative
Given that an increasing number of couples are looking for ways to either save money on their wedding day or are looking for more eco-friendly alternatives to traditional wedding ceremonies, rituals and party favours, I love finding interesting and meaningful … Continue reading
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Tagged alternative wedding, eco-friendly, guest books, humanist wedding, weddings
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Decisions Around Death: Re-imagining the Funeral
I was recently reminded of my maternal grandmother who died a couple of years ago. She was almost 90 and had had a pretty good, healthy life in many respects. She had also left some pretty clear instructions for all … Continue reading
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Tagged alternative funerals, burials, cremation, funerals, humanist ceremonies
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Humanist Weddings: Honouring Cross-Cultural Diversity and Modernizing Rituals
One of many things I love about conducting weddings in Toronto is that there is a good chance that the city’s multicultural landscape and energy will be reflected in the couples that decide to marry. Indeed many of the couples … Continue reading
Posted in Blog, Uncategorized
Tagged Greek Orthodox, humanist ceremonies, humanist officiants, Humanist weddings, Jewish, rituals, traditions
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Wedding Season and Officiant Bargain Hunting
Gorgeous spring weather is such a great reminder that wedding season is fast approaching. I’m reminded how much I enjoy hearing from couples searching for a wedding officiant — even those working more last minute with very little time to … Continue reading
Posted in Blog, Uncategorized
Tagged bridal gowns, brides, ceremonies, Humanist, humanist officiant, Humanist weddings, toronto wedding officiants, wedding officiant, weddings
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Vow Renewals — I Do
A married friend said to me recently she thought that couples should renew their vows every five years (it should be noted that she’s been married for 14 years and has never renewed her vows). I found her rationale interesting. … Continue reading
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Tagged couples, life partners, marriage ceremony, married, vow renewal, weddings
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Marriage Fraud: Responding to a Real or Exaggerated Crisis?
It’s easy to understand the anger following the recent news story about a Canadian woman who married a Cuban man, only to have him leave her days after he arrived here. Her story is not a happy one. It is … Continue reading
Posted in Blog, Uncategorized
Tagged family reunification, Humanist, marriage fraud, ontario humanist society
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Eco Weddings – 10 tips for greening your wedding
A Humanist wedding is by its very nature “alternative“. While “green” or eco weddings may now be more common than they used to be, I’ve enjoyed reading recently about the growth of environmentally friendly weddings. I thought then, given my … Continue reading
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Tagged eco weddings, green weddings
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Humanist Weddings Growing in Popularity
I am often contacted by couples looking for an officiant to perform a “legal” or civil ceremony for them. Their thinking is that a Humanist wedding – which can indeed be spiritual and filled with beautiful cultural rituals and traditions … Continue reading
Posted in Blog
Tagged Atheist, Humanist, Humanist weddings, non-religious, traditional, wedding ceremonies, wedding ceremony
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Gay Marriage Good for Economy
I clearly remember the second time I officiated at a same-sex ceremony. It was here in Toronto down at one of my favourite spots — Kew Beach. I remember it so distinctly because the women who were getting married were … Continue reading
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