SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Getting married is a special moment in any young couple's life, which is why it's important to make sure you pick the right person to perform your wedding.

Jesslyn and Jordan Plett were married by Rev. Joey Royal this past July. Getting married by a reverend is just one of the many ways couples can choose to tie the knot. - photo courtesy of Joey Royal

"I love doing weddings," said Reverend Joey Royal.

"It's a happy occasion. Any time you get people together for important period in their life - weddings, funerals, baptisms, things like that - you're sort of honoured."

Royal is a reverend at the Holy Anglican Church, and has performed about six weddings since he was ordained in Yellowknife in 2012.

Royal said there is no set formula to ensure a ceremony goes smoothly.

"I've done a few of them now, and they're all different. Everyone has their own personality and those personalities sort of come out in the weddings."

Royal added that he has maintained relationships with most of the couples he has married.

"When you actually go through that journey with people, it's a really significant moment and you form these bonds with them," he said.

While religious couples will likely choose to get married within their respective churches by an ordained official, those with no religious official affiliation may choose to get married civilly.

In the NWT, civil weddings are presided over by marriage commissioners. There are currently 26 marriage commissioners registered in Yellowknife. To get a list of the people who are able to perform weddings, couples have to contact the registrar general of vital statistics in Inuvik.

Alternatively, brides- and grooms-to-be could just go the DIY route and get a friend or family member to perform the ceremony.

According to Umesh Sutendra, communications specialist for the Department of Health and Social Services, all that is required in order to be able to perform a wedding in the NWT is proof of Canadian citizenship and territorial residency. You must then fill out a form explaining why you want to become a commissioner and submit it to the registrar general.

Those looking for something a little more official may also want to turn to Yellowknife's mayor. Mark Heyck decided to become a certified marriage commissioner after getting elected, but it wasn't until last summer that he performed his first wedding.

Heyck said he was approached to do the wedding by the mother of the groom.

"You can see how special it is for those two people to come together," said Heyck.

"It was a pleasure and an honour to be there."

Heyck said he has already been approached about doing some weddings this year and has had to turn at least one person down because he had already committed to performing a wedding on the same day.

"I'll have my hands full with weddings when the summer months roll around," he said.

Although civil weddings may be a tempting option for some, Royal said one of the benefits of getting married in a church is that the reverend provides marriage training both before and after the wedding.

"It's just geared toward helping people and giving them some resources and skills," said Royal.

"Marriage is tough, and sometimes people need help."

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