Weddings

In the wedding ceremony the wedding couple is asking God to bless and guide their marriage. And our Lord has said: "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you" (John 15: 12).

Agricola's pastor is authorized to perform marriage ceremonies in the Province of Ontario. The ceremony can be performed in a church or elsewhere as agreed upon by the pastor and the couple. At least two witnesses must be present during the ceremony.

The ceremony can be performed if the wedding couple have got a valid certificate showing there are no legal impediments for the intended marriage. This Canadian Marriage License from the Province of Ontario can be obtained by application at a Toronto City Hall (Municipal Clerk's Office, www.toronto.ca/registry-services.marriage.htm ). There is small fee involved. The licence is valid for three months.

If the wedding couple is coming from Finland, they should first contact to the Canadian Embassy in Helsinki, to know which documents are needed to get a marriage license from Toronto City Hall. For example someone who is divorced usually needs a passport and also the certificates of the divorce and a valid certificate showing there are no legal impediments for the intended marriage - all the certificates translated by an official translator. Getting these certificates takes time so it is better start the work early before coming to Ontario.