About Me

 

My Story

After retiring from a fulfilling and rewarding nursing career, I made a commitment to spend more time doing what I truly love—and officiating weddings is at the top of that list! Having been happily married to my wonderful husband for over 45 years, I am a firm believer in the beauty of marriage. I understand the joy of sharing life with a loving partner, and it’s a true honor to be present when couples embark on that same journey.

I’m a wife, mother, grandmother, and proud fur-mom. I've had the privilege of watching my own children find their loving, supportive partners and build beautiful lives together. And the greatest gift of all? My brilliant, funny, and amazing grandson.

Originally from Welland, I raised my family in Wainfleet and Fonthill and now call Norfolk County home. I approach life with passion and a sense of adventure—always open to new experiences and never shy about exploring the world. I’ve traveled to 30 countries (and counting!) and I’m always looking forward to the next destination. When I’m not traveling, I’m in my kitchen, cooking and baking, or enjoying time near or on the water, especially kayaking. I also love golfing, cycling with my husband on our tandem bike, attending theater performances, live concerts, Toronto Rock games, and watching NFL. My favorite moments, though, are those spent laughing with loved ones, enjoying a winery lunch or a day at the spa! On quieter days, you’ll find me reading a good book, snuggled up with my loyal companion, Fergus—my 6-year-old Scottie-Poo. Oh, and did I mention my love for travel? It’s truly one of my greatest passions.

The skills I developed throughout my nursing career have made my transition to officiating weddings seamless: professionalism, patience, clear communication, empathy, flexibility, problem-solving, and attention to detail. With a calm personality and a great sense of humor, I pride myself on keeping my commitments. You can count on me to be punctual and fully dedicated to your special day. Together, we’ll craft a ceremony that reflects your unique values, style, and personalities as a couple.

I am wholeheartedly supportive of every couple ready to make a lifelong, loving commitment, and I welcome all couples, regardless of faith or orientation. Whether you’re planning a grand celebration or a simple elopement, my goal remains the same: to witness, bless, and solemnize your bond of love in a meaningful and personal way.

It is truly an honor to guide couples through their wedding ceremony, to witness the exchange of vows and rings, and to declare them married. I would be delighted to be a part of your special day and help make it unforgettable!

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 My Ceremony Philosophy

Let’s make your Day personal, authentic & fun!

 

Photo Credit: Blackbird Photography

I believe your ceremony should be a genuine and authentic celebration of your unique love and relationship. It should reflect your passions, values, and personalities—never mine or anyone else’s.

A ceremony is a spiritual event, and your ceremony can include religious elements if that’s your choice, but the focus is always on you, the couple.

Your wedding ceremony is about you two—your commitment to each other—more than it is about the guests or the officiant. It’s your moment to shine.

I believe in giving you the freedom to choose. That’s why I offer a wide range of options for ceremony elements and language, allowing you to tailor everything to your preferences.

Professionalism is essential in every aspect—from my attire and demeanor to clear communication, presentation, resources, and seamless collaboration with your other wedding vendors.

I believe in the power of great relationships. I pour my heart into every ceremony, especially when I see how passionate couples are about making the experience meaningful and unique.

And most of all, I believe in creativity. Almost anything goes when it comes to the tone, style, or theme of your ceremony—so let your imagination run wild! believe the ceremony should be a real, authentic celebration of your love and relationship.

“Amazing officiant - professional, thoughtful, attentive and so organized!

We could not be happier that we chose Shirley to officiate our wedding. Shirley proved to be very professional and knowledgeable in every interaction. She was thoughtful and attentive to details about our ceremony, providing suggestions and guidance that helped make our ceremony run smoothly. Shirley was responsive to our questions and requests and supported our vision for personalizing our ceremony. When speaking with Shirley about our vision, she was an active and attentive listener, asking questions and encouraging us to share our stories so that she could get to know us better. On the day, Shirley was organized and prepared, arrived early, and was a cheerful and calming presence. She is also an excellent public speaker and her preparedness for our event was evident. Not only was it a privilege to work with Shirley, it was a delight to get to know her and interact with her throughout the process.”
— Andrea & Martin

How to Ensure the Best Wedding Day Experience!

Here are some important things I recommend in order for you to have the best possible wedding day experience:

Communicate With Me

I’m here to answer any questions you have as you prepare for your big day. Feel free to reach out—I’m happy to help in any way I can.

Consult Me Before Making Changes

If you’re considering changing the date, time, or location of your ceremony, please reach out to me first to check my availability. Due to other commitments, I may not be able to accommodate last-minute changes.

Submit Your Ceremony Content early 

Please email your ceremony content to me at least two months before your wedding day. The closer you get to the big day, the busier you’ll become, so I recommend completing your ceremony details well ahead of time—don't leave it until the last minute!

Be Creative

One of the best things about modern weddings is the freedom to make your ceremony uniquely yours. I encourage you to design a ceremony that reflects your values, style, and personality—don’t feel bound by traditional customs or the expectations of others. If you need ideas to make your day even more memorable, I’m happy to offer suggestions!

Schedule a Second Meeting

I’ll reach out to set up a second meeting about two weeks before your wedding day. During this meeting, we’ll review your ceremony content, finalize all the details, and conduct a "talk-through" rehearsal via Zoom. It’s a great way to ensure everything flows smoothly.

Trust my experience

With years of experience and industry knowledge, I’m here to guide you through every step of the process. I know how to work seamlessly with other wedding professionals, and I’m happy to help with anything—just ask! I have done hundreds of weddings. Trust that I’ll ensure your ceremony is exactly what you envisioned.

be prepared for the unexpected

While we can plan every detail, life can sometimes throw us a curveball. Rest assured, I’m committed to excellence, and I will do everything in my power to ensure your wedding day is extraordinary, no matter what comes our way.

Wedding Day Expectations

On the big day, I’ll arrive at least 30 minutes before your ceremony begins. I’ll check in with you to make sure the Marriage Licence and rings are in place, and I’ll coordinate with the other wedding professionals (musicians, photographer, etc.) to ensure everyone is on the same page. If there’s no wedding coordinator, I’ll step in to help manage the details of the processional and ensure everything runs smoothly. You can relax knowing you’re in good hands.

I am excited to work with you to make

your wedding day as special as it can be!

shirleykennedyofficiant@gmail.com