INUVIK - A day before the big event, Arlene Hansen had only one reservations about marrying her first couple.

Her daughter Tamara said to warn them "that if they cry, I'm going to cry, too," said Hansen.

Arlene Hansen, centre, shares a smile with John Loughram and Coleen Blanchard of Mission, B.C., July 9. She performed the couple's marriage ceremony on Friday, her first since being appointed Inuvik's only marriage commissioner. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

"So I had to ask them, 'You just want the simple marriage deal - wham, and you're done, right?'" she said with a laugh.

John Loughram, 45, and Coleen Blanchard, 47, were fine with that. They had made the trek from Mission, B.C., to get married under the midnight sun.

When they were trying to arrange their marriage a few months ago they found out all the local churches were booked for peak wedding season and Inuvik doesn't have a justice of the peace.

The territory's office of Vital Statistics, which issues marriage licences, pointed the happy couple to the former town councillor, Inuvik's only marriage commissioner.

The owner of Originals on Mackenzie was appointed to the position by Sandy Lee, Health and Social Services minister, last month after being encouraged to fill the vacant role by fellow resident Jenetta Day, vital statistics deputy registrar general.

Day figured her personable, not-so-shy friend fit the bill perfectly.

All Hansen had to do was fill out some paperwork. She said she's ready to give it her best shot.

"I think it will be interesting and fun and I'll meet lots of people in a joyous time in their lives. I think it's an honour to participate in that."

After Loughram and Blanchard's wedding, she was scheduled to oversee the marriage of Harley Minakis and Aurelie Lui the next afternoon, on Saturday, at Jak Territorial Park's observation tower.

The actual service is not time-consuming. As long as the couple has two witnesses, Hansen said the whole thing can be over and done with in less than two minutes after they declare a few simple things, including that they're not breaking the law in tying the knot.

There are also a few ground rules Hansen has to follow. She cannot marry couples after 10 p.m. unless by special permission, in which case she has to make sure both parties are not drunk.

All couples have to possess a marriage licence and a statutory declaration stating they aren't already married. Hansen has the responsibility of registering the marriage.

Apart from all the love and joy involved, she said it's also a fast and easy alternative to elaborate wedding ceremonies.

"It's to allow people to have a choice, for those wanting an alternative to church weddings," said Hansen.