In order to get married, you need a marriage licence, not a marriage certificate. The difference between the two can be confusing, but it’s important to know the difference when you go to apply for it.

A marriage licence allows you to get married. A good way to remember is to think of it like a drivers licence, which allows you to drive. A marriage certificate is what you receive after you’ve said your “I do’s” to certify that you have married.  A marriage licence is what you need to apply for, and receive before you can get married.

When applying for your marriage licence it is only required to have one person present, but both parties getting married must complete an affidavit and have their signatures witnessed by a Notary Public, a Justice of the Peace or a Commissioner of Oaths. If you are out of province and applying, you must have a Notary Public witness your signature, who will affix a notarized seal. It is important to remember to bring ID for both parties on the application, even if only one of you will be there to apply in person.

You can download the Newfoundland Marriage Licence Application Form Affidavit here!

You can apply for your marriage licence in person at the Motor Registration Building, at 149 Smallwood Drive in Mount Pearl, or you can contact a Marriage Licence Issuer near you. Many couples prefer the second option, because many Issuers can arrange an appointment to meet with you outside of work hours, instead of taking a number and lining up for an undetermined amount of time. Here is the current list of current Marriage Licence Issuers in Newfoundland.

The current fee for a marriage licence is $100, which is non-refundable. At the Motor Registration building, you can pay for this with VISA, MasterCard, debit, or with money orders/cheques made out to the Newfoundland Exchequer Account. If you go the Marriage Licence Issuer route, make sure to ask them what payment options they have in advance of your appointment.

In order to be issued a marriage licence, you will need identification for both of you. If you are from Newfoundland, one piece of photo id is all that’s necessary. If you’re from outside of Newfoundland, you will need two pieces of major ID, such as your drivers licence or government issued photo identification, a passport, and/or birth certificate. In order to get married in Newfoundland, you need to be at least 19 years old, and proof of age will be required. If you are younger than 19 years of age, you will need consent. If you were married previously, you will have to provide proof of your marital status with the final decree or divorce certificate. It must be in English or French, or it will have to be translated, and there are additional requirements if you were divorced outside of Canada.

Timing for your marriage licence is extremely important. A marriage licence is only valid in Newfoundland for 30 days, but you need to apply for your marriage licence at least 4 days before your wedding. Applying for it anywhere between 2-3 weeks before your wedding is ideal, before you get caught up in last minute, week of the wedding tasks. This is the last thing you want to forget to do!

Once your licence is completed, at least one of you must pick it up in person, with ID for both parties.

So, a quick summary:
The fee for a Newfoundland Marriage Licence is currently $100
Both of you must complete an affidavit
Apply for your licence no more than 30 days before your wedding
Apply at least 4 days before your wedding
Bring ID for both of you, both when applying and for picking up the licence
Bring proof of martial status if you’ve been married previously

This information is correct and verified as of the time of writing, June 30th, 2016, but is subject to change. For the most up to date information, click on Vital Statistics, Service NL, visit them at 149 Smallwood Drive, or phone at 709-729-0305.

Being prepared for wet or exceptionally windy weather is just part and parcel with having a Newfoundland wedding. We are fully aware that our weather can be unpredictable, and can change at a moments notice. The weather is the one aspect of your planning that you can’t control. Don’t allow it to discourage you! A rainy wedding day can be just as beautiful as what you have pictured throughout your planning!

Photo by Enlightened Photography NL – www.enlightenedphotographynl.com

The more you prepare for the possibility of bad weather, the happier and more confident you will be in the event that it happens, so that you can fully embrace it! Don’t wait until the week of your wedding to consider your contingency plan. Make a bad weather plan well before your wedding date shows up on that ten-day forecast to avoid any unnecessary last-minute stress. Hopefully you won’t have to implement that plan, but it’s better to have those details worked out beforehand. If you have a wedding planner, this is where they can help you!

Photo by Jennifer Dawe Photography – www.jenniferdawe.com

If you’re planning an outside element to your day, such as an outdoor ceremony, chat with your venue about their plan B options. They may have an indoor space available for you to use, and will likely be able to provide you pictures from other weddings that have been held there. If they don’t, ensure that a backup location is booked, or that a tent is either purchased or rented. Don’t forget to find out the limitations of the tent, such as wind strength/speed. Some of the ones you can find at big box stores or online aren’t good for the kind of wind we experience. The amount you spend on a deposit securing a rental or separate backup location will be worth every penny if you wake up to rain drizzle and fog!

Photo by Enlightened Photography NL – www.enlightenedphotographynl.com

Once you’ve decided what your wet weather plan entails, write it down, and include it with your final communications with your wedding professionals. This will keep all of your wedding vendors on the same page, with no last minute phone calls needing to be made to solidify the plan.

Photo by Jennifer Dawe Photography – www.jenniferdawe.com

Rainy weather isn’t all bad either. Look at it as an opportunity to do some fun things, which it is! Accessorize with some pretty lace umbrellas! Or rock some bright umbrellas in your wedding colours! Have your bridal party wear brilliant row house-coloured rubber boots! All practical items to have with wet weather, but really fun for photos too.

Photo by Jennifer Dawe Photography – www.jenniferdawe.com

For your photo locations, your photographer should be able to lead you based on their experiences and your timeline when you are making plans for where to go. Some popular places in the St John’s area include The Rooms, the Inco Building, and the Newman Wine Vaults. Each location will have their own booking policies, and some must be booked in advance – another reason you will want to do this earlier rather than later. Other options include bed and breakfasts, such as Leaside Manor and Compton House. Winterholme is another stunning location that takes bookings for wedding photos. Your favourite bar or restaurant will likely allow you to come in for photos and I’ve never heard a bridal party complain about that!

Photo by Jennifer Dawe Photography – www.jenniferdawe.com

At the same time, you shouldn’t be afraid to do a few photos outside. 🙂 Rainy day wedding photos have a distinct romantic feeling to them. Some lighting tricks will make the raindrops look like a million sparkles. It’s very likely that the rain will have a break at some point during the day, and you should take full advantage of it! For example, some photos during the break between dinner finishing and the dances beginning might be a possibility!

Photo by Enlightened Photography NL – www.enlightenedphotographynl.com

Being prepared for a weather forecast that isn’t ideal is the only way to cover all of your bases. At the end of the day, it’s only a minor detail, and your wedding will still be the memorable, fabulous experience you want it to be! Have fun with it, and don’t forget, it’s supposed to be good luck to have rain on your wedding day!

Special thanks to Enlightened Photography NL for the usage of noted photos in this article. You can find the brilliantly talented Tammy at 
www.enlightenedphotographynl.com
www.facebook.com/enlightenedphotographynl