JP Weddings

07/08/2024

Waiting for the processional to begin at Pine Meadows, Banff Rocky Mountain Resort. Arch beautifully decorated by . Thanks to for the photo. Congratulations R+C!

05/06/2024

I would be most appreciative if you could take a moment to nominate me in the ‘officiant’ category…

12/27/2023

Thrilled to be recognized for doing what I love to do!! Huge congrats to all the other wonderful folks in our industry who were acknowledged in their respective categories, and also to those who weren’t mentioned…you’re all winners!

06/28/2023

Voting ends this Friday, June 30th! I you haven’t yet had a chance to cast your ballot, I would be grateful for your support now. It only takes a minute or two!! Thanks very much ❤️

Jane Paterson has been an Alberta Authorized Marriage Commissioner since 2015. She truly enjoys meeting new couples and working together with them to design a ceremony that reflects who they are and how they want to celebrate.

06/09/2023

Happy to share that I’ve made it to the voting round for this year’s ballot!! I really appreciate the ongoing support I’ve gotten from so many of you, and am asking you to take a moment to help me out again. You can only vote once. Thank you, thank you, thank you! ❤️

Jane Paterson has been an Alberta Authorized Marriage Commissioner since 2015. She truly enjoys meeting new couples and working together with them to design a ceremony that reflects who they are and how they want to celebrate.

05/03/2023

It’s that time of year again! I would be grateful if you could take a moment to nominate me in the ‘officiant’ category ❤️

Nominate your favourite businesses from May 1 to 15, 2023. Then, come back from June 8 to 30 to vote for the finalists.

06/25/2022

There are just a few days left to cast your vote! If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to do so, I would really appreciate your support in the officiant category!

https://avenuecalgary.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7cce945c0c72f8d28d6851785&id=f7e79a6a92&e=f89783757e

Vote for the top nominees until June 30, 2022. Those with the top votes will be published in print and online in January 2023.

06/10/2022

I’m delighted to announce that JP Weddings (that’s me) has made it to the voting round for the Best Wedding Services with Avenue Calgary in the Officiant category! If you have a minute or two to spare, and if you’re so inclined, I would be grateful for your support. The online ballot is active between June 8th and June 30th and you may cast one vote per day, per category. Thanks very much ❤️

Vote for the top nominees until June 30, 2022. Those with the top votes will be published in print and online in January 2023.

05/03/2022

It’s that time again! If you have a moment, I would appreciate your nomination…

Nominate your favourite wedding and event professionals in and around Calgary. Nominations close May 16, 2022.

08/20/2021

Okay, I promise this is the last post you’ll see from me regarding Avenue Magazine’s Best of Weddings contest! For me, one of the greatest things about being an officiant is that some of my strengths (customer service, attention to detail, organizational ability) allow me to ‘shine’ while at the same time, some of my weaknesses (less than stellar listening skills, a tendency to procrastinate, shyness in unfamiliar settings…yes, really!!) have slowly been improving over the past few years.

If you’re able to take a moment to cast a vote sometime before the contest closes this coming Monday, August 23rd, I would be very appreciative. And, while you’re at it, check out the other categories and give your fave people some support!! Thanks so much 😘.

https://www.avenuecalgary.com/avenue-calgary-weddings/best-wedding-services-in-calgary/ #/gallery/291314413?group=388862

08/14/2021

One of the most awesome things about being a marriage commissioner is that every day is an adventure. This summer alone, I’ve officiated ceremonies in the rolling hills behind a family farm, in the gardens adjacent to a national historic site, on the grounds of an elegant hotel, in a field of wildflowers in Kananaskis, in a couple’s backyard, in a little park surrounded by the mountains, and in a rural community hall. Next month I get to cross an item off my bucket list when I officiate my first heli-wedding!!

Reminder…you can cast a vote daily until August 23rd.

https://www.avenuecalgary.com/avenue-calgary-weddings/best-wedding-services-in-calgary/ #/gallery/291314413?group=388862

We're looking for the top wedding professionals in the city and we want to know your favourites. Vote daily in each category until August 23.

08/10/2021

Full disclosure: shameless self-promotion makes me really uncomfortable.
Fuller disclosure: I’m competitive and love to win (who doesn’t?). I was discussing this little conflict with my daughter; she suggested that instead of simply asking (okay, begging) people to vote for me, I should mention something I love about being a marriage commissioner/officiant each time I post a request for friends to participate in the contest. Let’s start with the obvious one — every day at work is a happy day. I’m surrounded by smiling, positive, joyful people all the time!!

Reminder…you can cast a vote daily until August 23rd.

https://www.avenuecalgary.com/avenue-calgary-weddings/best-wedding-services-in-calgary/ #/gallery/291314413?group=388862

We're looking for the top wedding professionals in the city and we want to know your favourites. Vote daily in each category until August 23.

08/05/2021

Thanks to all those of you who nominated me, I’ve made it into the final round in Avenue Magazine’s ‘best officiant’ category for their annual Best Wedding Services issue! Now I’m asking you to take a moment to vote for me. The competition runs until Monday, August 23rd; you’re allowed to cast a vote once per day. That means that if you have a bit of spare time on your hands and are so inclined, you could potentially send a total of nineteen votes in my direction!! You’re also welcome to share the link below. Thank you SO much — I really appreciate your support!

https://www.avenuecalgary.com/avenue-calgary-weddings/best-wedding-services-in-calgary/ #/gallery/291314413?group=388862

We're looking for the top wedding professionals in the city and we want to know your favourites. Vote daily in each category until August 23.

07/01/2021

Hey Facebook friends — it’s that time again! Last year, I got so much support from you that I ended up as first runner-up in Avenue Magazine’s ‘best officiant’ category in their annual Best Wedding Services issue. I’m asking for your help again this year. For starters, I hope you’ll consider taking a moment to nominate me. Just tap on ‘officiant’ and type JP Weddings / Jane Paterson’ in the box. Thank you very much!!

https://avenuecalgary.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7cce945c0c72f8d28d6851785&id=a0c309709c&e=5aa34fe757

We're looking for the top wedding professionals in the city. Tell us who you think we should consider in more than 30 categories.

12/31/2020

Thank you so much to all of you who took the time to cast a vote for me as ‘Best Officiant’ in Avenue Magazine’s online ballot this past summer / fall. I’m delighted to announce that I placed second in my category (always the bridesmaid haha!!). Huge congratulations to my colleague Jacquie for taking the title, and to my colleagues Cole, Tamara, Karen and Julie Ann for joining me as runners-up. Congratulations also to the many other wonderful wedding professionals who are celebrated in this issue. A big shout out to Avenue Magazine for focusing the spotlight on our little industry this month!

The winner and runners-up of Avenue's first-ever best wedding services online ballot.

09/26/2020

We’re going into the homestretch! Please consider taking a moment to cast a vote for me as ‘Best Officiant’. You can vote daily until September 30th. Thank you!!

https://www.avenuecalgary.com/avenue-calgary-weddings/best-wedding-services-in-calgary/ #/gallery/238166522?group=352561

Tell us which business is your favourite. Voting is open until September 30.

09/17/2020

It’s not too late to cast a vote for me in the ‘Best Officiant’ category. If you haven’t yet voted, it only takes a few seconds. If you’ve voted previously, you’re welcome to vote again. Thanks so much for your support!!

https://www.avenuecalgary.com/avenue-calgary-weddings/best-wedding-services-in-calgary/ #/gallery/238166522?group=352561

Tell us which business is your favourite. Voting is open until September 30.

09/07/2020

Thanks to all of you who have already taken a moment to cast a vote for me. I think Labour Day is a perfect time to remind everyone that you’re allowed to vote daily until September 30th for my little business. I appreciate your support so much!!

https://www.avenuecalgary.com/avenue-calgary-weddings/best-wedding-services-in-calgary/ #/gallery/238166522?group=352561

Tell us which business is your favourite. Voting is open until September 30.

09/02/2020

Hello, my awesome Facebook friends! Because of all the support you showed me last month, I've made it to the voting round of the "Best of Wedding Services" with Avenue Calgary, and am in the running to be considered "Best Officiant". Now I'm asking for your help again. Please take a moment to vote for me; you're allowed to vote once per day throughout the month of September. If you want to consider going one step further, I would love it if you would share my post on your page and encourage your FB friends to support me as well. The prize if I'm the winner is that my name will appear in Avenue's wedding issue in January 2021 -- an amazing boost for my little business!!! Thank you in advance...

https://www.avenuecalgary.com/avenue-calgary-weddings/best-wedding-services-in-calgary/ #/gallery/238166522?group=352561

Tell us which business is your favourite. Voting is open until September 30.

07/27/2020

Hey FB friends! Avenue Magazine is giving you the opportunity to nominate your fave people in the wedding industry, and I would really appreciate your support in the ‘Officiant’ category. If I receive enough nominations, I just might make it to the voting round...in which case I’ll be asking you to click on my name again! You’re allowed to vote daily until August 10th, so go crazy. While you’re browsing the listings, look for other wedding-related businesses you like, and be sure to give them a boost as well. Thanks SO much!!!

Tell us your favourite wedding and event professionals in and around Calgary in more than 35 categories.

02/15/2020

I received a lovely note today from a bride whose wedding ceremony I officiated last summer. She had heard on a news report today that the Alberta government is piloting a program that has opened temporary marriage commissioner appointments to the general public, and was concerned that my role as a permanent commissioner might be in jeopardy. I assured her that I’m doing just fine; thanks to the many referrals I’ve received from past clients as well as from family and friends, my 2020 calendar is filling up nicely! Her question got me thinking, though. For obvious reasons, I believe that there are many benefits to hiring a civil marriage commissioner. However, I’m curious to learn if my clients feel the same way. If you have a moment, I would love to hear your opinions. The government is going to assess their pilot program in the spring, and it would be great to be able to provide them with some feedback. Thank you, and Happy Valentine’s Day ❤️

01/01/2020

As 2019 draws to a close I want to express my gratitude for all the support I’ve received throughout the year. Thanks to all the folks who provided your time and talent to make my life so much easier...the venue coordinators, photographers, wedding planners, musicians, DJs, and others. Thanks to my awesome marriage commissioner colleagues for your ongoing guidance and wisdom. Thanks to my family and friends for continuing to be my biggest cheerleaders. Most of all, thank you to each and every one of the amazing couples who trusted me to officiate your wedding ceremonies. This was a difficult, accident-prone year for me. Many of you ended up with either an officiant who had a forehead full of stitches and two black eyes, or an officiant who sported a massive hand/arm splint. On a day that should have been just about the two of you, you took time to show kindness and concern towards me. I am really fortunate to have such great people in my life!

Happy New Year — wishing all of you the best of everything in 2020!!

09/01/2019

I’ve had many, many dogs (and even one cat) included in ceremonies that I’ve officiated, but Troy was the first horse! He accompanied the beautiful bride to the end of the aisle, then watched the wedding patiently from the periphery.
(Photo credit: Sydney Morley Photography)

01/01/2019

And it's a wrap! I just returned home from officiating my last ceremony of 2018 and It's time for a few thank yous. First and foremost, a sincere thank you to each and every one of the couples this year who put their trust in me and allowed me to be a part of their wedding day. You opened up to me and shared your stories with me. I've learned so much from all of you. Thank you to my wonderful marriage commissioner colleagues for your ongoing guidance and support; it's great to know you've got my back. I've been privileged to work with many awesome wedding planners, venue coordinators, photographers and DJs, all of whom have put up cheerfully with my little quirks. Most of all, I owe a debt of gratitude to my family and friends. In the early days of this later-in-life career, you cheered me on when I needed confidence. Now, you just smile and nod when I go on and on and on (yes, I know I can be insufferable) about how much I love what I get to do!

I can't wait to see what 2019 will bring. Happy New Year, everyone!!!

08/20/2018

Occupational hazard: MANY outdoor wedding ceremonies during a weekend with exceptionally poor air quality made me feel like I’d chain-smoked an entire package of ci******es!

07/24/2018

I had Matthew McConaughey on my mind this past weekend, not because I have an older woman crush on him (although he DOES have a great smile), but because he played the title character in the movie 'The Lincoln Lawyer'. This was a guy who operated his business out of the back seat of his Lincoln Continental. After this weekend, I think I should be known as the 'The Crosstrek Commissioner'. Both Saturday and Sunday were exceptionally busy days, including three out-of-town weddings. There was no time to stop at home between ceremonies. I had to laugh when I looked at the back seat of my car as I was heading out each of the two mornings. Ceremonies were carefully stored in file folders, a thermal lunch bag with easy-to-eat snacks was next to them, and my emergency kit (safety pins, an extra pair of pantyhose, comfortable shoes for the long drives between venues, throat lozenges, etc.) completed the inventory. I'm happy to report that I didn't forget a single thing I needed...and that I added over 900 km to my Crosstrek's odometer in those two days. i love my job!!!

01/19/2018

My office this week!!

12/31/2017

I bundled up and happily headed out into the bone-chilling cold both yesterday and today to officiate my last two wedding ceremonies of 2017. Walking into a room filled with people gathered together to share their warmest wishes with a blissfully happy couple is the perfect antidote for the ‘blahs’ which tend to accompany this nasty weather.
Happy New Year!!!

11/12/2017

Even when I’m away on vacation I get happy reminders about my job!! This photo was taken at the entrance of the church in Cathedral Square in Havana, Cuba.

08/30/2017

During this wonderfully crazy-busy month of August, I quietly celebrated a milestone of sorts -- officiating my 100th wedding ceremony. The occasion almost slipped by unnoticed; after all, it was just one of six ceremonies I had the honour of being involved in that week. However, it did give me the opportunity to reflect back a bit. I clearly remember wedding number one, mostly because I have seldom experienced that level of nervousness! I had to will myself to get out of the car when I arrived at the venue. My palms were sweaty and my heart was racing. Then, that wonderful couple (who had no idea they had hired a rookie!) joined me at the front of the room and smiled at each other. My anxiety evaporated and I launched into the ceremony. I still get nervous before each ceremony -- one of my mentors told me when that's no longer the case, it's time to give up being a marriage commissioner -- but the joy of sharing a bit of each couple's special day more than compensates for those feelings.

I have learned so much in the slightly more than two years since that first wedding. For starters, my time management skills and organizational abilities, which I always considered to be one of my strong suits, can still use a bit of fine-tuning. Also, solely relying on one's memory at the age of 63 (or, really, at any age) probably isn't a good idea. And, never underestimate the importance of listening -- really listening -- to your clients.

I'm grateful to so many people for helping me to reach this milestone. Huge thanks to my three kids and their spouses/significant others, along with other family members and close friends, for their constant encouragement and advice, and for being my biggest cheerleaders. I very much appreciate my MC colleagues and the lovely ladies at vital stats for their guidance and helpful tips. Most of all, I want to thank each and every couple who has put their trust in me and allowed me to be a part of their wedding day.

I am truly fortunate to have stumbled upon this later-in-life career. Every day is a happy one for me.