Month: November 2024

Ask Me

Wedding Planning Advice

Sandra

There are so many decisions to be made but I suggest finding your wedding planner/coordinator first. If you have a wedding officiant already in mind, you should reach out and see what their availability is like for your preferred months. You have your guest list, your officiant, venue, theme, food, flowers, attire and so much more to consider. This why many couples start planning a year of more in advance.

A wedding planner can offer you comprehensive wedding management, final coordination and execution that will dramatically reduce the time commitment for you as a couple. Your wedding planner should work with you on every planning and design aspect from vendor and venue sourcing until the day itself. Your planner will act as your advocate, teammate and collaborator, getting to know your needs and wants as a couple and helping to bring your dreams to life. 

For many, Day of Coordinators, their work begins weeks or months before your big day. It includes a venue walk through, wedding timeline planning, vendor confirmation, ceremony and reception information, contract review, rehearsal assistance, a planning team, plus generally 14-16 hours working on your actual wedding day.

Now it is time to find your perfect venue. This is where an experienced wedding planner can come in handy. You want to find a venue that aligns with your vision. f you’re planning a modern wedding, look at art galleries, well-designed restaurants, or warehouse spaces. You might also consider a wedding incorporating more natural elements works well with outdoor venues such as parks, backyards, and farms. Choosing a venue that fits in with your theme will enable your wedding to feel more connected to the space.

My best advice is to try and enjoy the process. My role as an officiant is to make the time when you are exchanging vows, rings or whatever you choose, magical for you both – easy, effortless and so memorable. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or if you are looking amazing wedding for an amazing wedding officiant. sandralruch@gmail.com

wedding officiant, Sandra Ruch standing in front of head table at wedding in 2024.
Ask Me

What other Life Cycle events do you perform?

Sandra

Weddings

I bring a professional attitude infused with joy and enthusiasm to both your wedding planning and your wedding day. I am an ordained Kohenet (Hebrew Priestess).  I am a mother and grandmother and community leader.

I will facilitate a wedding ceremony that will meet all your expectations whether you are religious or secular, I believe in the inclusion of all. Wherever you choose to celebrate – in a traditional setting or under a waterfall, I will bring just the right amount of reverence to your wedding ceremony.

I am licensed to officiate wedding in the province of Ontario, Canada.

Memorials and Funerals

It is so important to take time to remember those we loved in a way that is both respectful and healing to those who are left behind.

As your funeral / memorial celebrant and an experienced spiritual leader, I will offer you respect, sensitivity and professionalism.  I will work with you to create a beautiful experience using all my knowledge and resources.

I will meet with you to offer guidance and consulting while planning a personalized and meaningful funeral or memorial service. I have a wide library of resources for readings, music and other special ceremonies to help us design a service that honours the life of your loved one.

Coming of Age Ceremony – B’nai Mitzvah

According to Jewish tradition a child becomes a bar or bat mitzvah automatically at the age of 13.  This means that with or without any kind of party, they become responsible for their own actions.

In my opinion, this is an important milestone for our children. It is an occasion to be honoured and celebrated.  I also encourage a special education leading up to the event and marking the day with a celebration that reflects your family and your values.

Families who are not affiliated with synagogues or Jewish community centres and do not feel called to be are looking for an alternative.  There are many who have felt disenfranchised by the mainstream Jewish community for a variety of reasons.

I am offering an alternative experience for your adolescent.  As a private tutor, I offer a customized training experience for your child.  It is my hope to create a coming of age experience that is tailor made for your family and your values.  I offer Hebrew language lessons, Jewish History, Jewish culture, Jewish holidays and more.

I have been preparing B’nai Mitzvah students since 1995.  I was a teacher at Temple Israel ( a Reform Community) in London, Ontario and more recently at the Winchevsky Centre ( a secular community).

I promise an eclectic and exciting education for your child.

  • Weddings
  • Funerals
  • Memorials
  • Baby Naming Ceremony
  • Adult Name change celebration
  • Bar/Bat Mitzvah
  • Coming of Age Celebration
  • Unbinding Ceremony

Ask Me

What does a wedding officiant do?

Sandra

Your wedding officiant is required for any legal wedding in Canada. I am ordained to officiate weddings in the province of Ontario. Our job is to fill in and sign your wedding licence, your record of solemnization and a government wedding registry. We are required to mail your marriage licence within 48 hours.

A wedding officiant will work with you to create a wedding ceremony that reflects your values as a couple.

If you choose me, we will design a ceremony together that will use the language and the elements that are perfect for you.

Ask Me

What does a wedding officiant charge?

Sandra

This price varies based on your wedding. How many guests will you have? Do you require a customized ceremony? Where is the location of your ceremony?

I charge $300.00 a legal signing without a ceremony or an exchange of rings or vows. No guests, except two witnesses. This is the perfect package for you if you are planning a destination wedding and want to take care of the legal paperwork in advance or if you need a marriage certificate for legal reasons.

I charge $400.00 for as small intimate ceremony with your closest family and friends (20 guests or fewer). We will work together to create a personalized ceremony.

I charge $600.00 for wedding of more than 30 guests with a completely customized ceremony. I will work with you to create a ceremony that is tailored to who you are as a couple.Perhaps you have a friend or family member who will participate or you want to include elements of different cultures. This is the way to go if your ceremony is more involved: bigger wedding party, the inclusion of additions (sand ceremony, handfasting, etc) or cultural elements, multiple speakers, involvement of children, special language considerations, or if you simply want to personalize your ceremony text to suit you both.