Avril Ewing Officiant & Celebrant

27/07/2023

The worst thing to happen at a wedding...

No pasta!

12/07/2023

I know we are not supposed to give up...and I think it's also important to know when to stop the insanity of doing something repeatedly that is so not working, while hoping for a different result.

For a long time my page did so well - it wasn't even about booking weddings and funerals but about the connections and conversations we were having.

Then one day, a couple of months ago - that just stopped.

Nothing changed on my end. I was still posting the same variety of content, but out of the blue all of the engagement came to a screeching halt.

It wasn't a slow decline that would tell me I need to make some tweaks and ramp things up - it was as though someone pulled the plug one night and that was the end of things.

I have continued to post and experimented with what time I post, what days I post, and even the content I post.

I keep an eye on the insights so I can see how many people my posts are being shown to - and although the numbers have gone from huge, to almost zero, to growing steadily again, the engagement hasn't come back.

I don't just post for the engagement, but the engagement tells me you enjoy what I am sharing and the knowledge and wisdom that I bring from a decade of experience in the funeral and wedding worlds.

Continuing to post every day simply seems like a waste of time and energy at this point. So....going forward I will only be posting super important things, and will keep my fingers crossed that a good amount of time between posts might prompt FB to show more of you my posts.

In the meantime - please join my VIP page to stay up to date with what I am up to. Click here to sign up: https://avrilewingofficiant.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=475a65a83e7b4251e191d5a30&id=a5f430b809

And hop into my group where I am currently hosting a live series on ABUNDANCE and am hosting a workshop in August! Click here to join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5292276690855156

I will still be checking in here every day and all messages come to my phone to I will be able to reply to you quickly!

Thank you!
Take care!
Avril xoxo

10/07/2023

I am going live today in my group to talk about...ABUNDANCE!

Will you join us? Click the link to watch live or catch the replay later!

https://facebook.com/groups/5292276690855156

10/07/2023

Happy Monday! Here is this week's blog post all about how to handle divorced parents while you plan your wedding...especially if they don't get along!

On a side note - not long ago there was a lot of engagement on my posts and so many wonderful conversations. Then one day...nothing! The data tells me FB isn't showing my posts to many of you so please...if you see this post, click like and leave a comment and fingers crossed FB will start showing my posts to you consistently again! Thank you!

Your entire wedding is meant to be a joyous occasion from start to finish, but divorced parents can sometimes throw a spanner in the works. Luckily, with a little preparation, you can ensure your w…

06/07/2023

"Reverend Avril was a real beacon of light during a challenging time for us. She made the process of my grandfather's passing manageable and helped my family through the funeral services and other processes with gentle guidance. The day of the funeral, Rev. Avril led a beautiful service that paid honour to my grandfather and allowed members of our family to share their own loving tributes. Her leadership at the cemetery was invaluable and many members of my family remarked on her compassion, excellent speaking skills and overall professionalism. My family will absolutely be using Rev. Avril for all our services moving forward, I can't recommend her highly enough. "

Thank you to the family of Mr. RW for your kind words. It was truly an honour and a privilege to serve you at your time of sorrow.

05/07/2023

Y'all know I'm a professional Tarot reader right?

I have spent a few years deep in my craft and have been popping up at parties, girls nights, and lots of Tarot events lately!

I am getting inquiries every week asking me about Tarot at weddings during cocktail hour - and I love it! What a cool way to entertain your guests while you are off getting your photos taken after your ceremony!

I bring my cute little fortune teller's tent complete with twinkly lights and all the items to make Tarot at your wedding the most magical experience - one your guests will talk about for years to come!

Tarot at weddings is $150 an hour and I will split hours - so if your cocktail hour is 90 minutes, your total will be $225. Two hours is $300.

Ready to include Tarot in your wedding festivities? DM me to chat!

03/07/2023

Congratulations to

Jackie & Leon

who were married this weekend with their closest people there cheering (and crying tears of joy) for them!

Thank you for inviting me to perform your ceremony for you!

03/07/2023

Happy Monday! Here is this week's blog post...all about how to have the most picture perfect wedding!

You’ve put months and maybe years of planning into your wedding day – from flower arrangements to bridesmaids’ dresses and canapes, even the napkin colour! However, once it’s all over, your photos …

27/06/2023

Huge thank you to St. Anthony's school in Port Hope for inviting me to bring my photo booth of Graduation 2023!

It was so much fun hanging out with the kids, watching them pose with their friends, and seeing their faces when I handed them their photos!

Such good luck graduates! Enjoy your summer and new adventure at high school!

21/06/2023

Tis the season!

I am available for all kinds of ceremonies in all kinds of places!

Dreaming of getting married on the beach at sunset or in the forest with the pixies and faeries giggling from their hiding spots?

Choose a quick 5 minute ceremony or a full ceremony complete with readings of your choice!

DM me to chat!

20/06/2023

Happy Tuesday! If you see this will you do me a favour please and like or comment on this post? I used to get soooo many comments from you and we had incredible conversations then one day suddenly...nothing! And I don't know if my page is working or not now.

In the meantime...here is my latest blog post over at my ministry - this week we chat about finding your life purpose!

Exercises To Clarify Your Purpose And Vision In Your Life and Business Whether it’s the beginning of a new year or we’re half way through, you want it to be your best year ever! I’d like to recomme…

19/06/2023

Happy Monday! Here is this week's blog post all about how to feel confident at your wedding when you have a little stowaway with you! Yep - this is for our pregnant brides!

I have had many pregnant brides stand in front of me over the years and it’s always so much fun to have a little stowaway with us! Our beautiful bride above let her loved ones know her dress …

14/06/2023

The St John's Community Dinner is happening today!

6pm in the parish hall!

Come by for a nice meal with your neighbours!

The Port Hope Piper will be there playing as everyone is coming in!

13/06/2023

Y'all know I'm also a professional Tarot reader right?

Well how about readings during your cocktail hour?

Each of your guests can pick 1 card and I will tell them what it means for them!

This will give everyone lots to talk about during dinner!

DM me to chat about Tarot at your wedding!

12/06/2023

Congratulations to

Jessica & Cameron who were married this weekend at a gorgeous local venue with all of their loved ones there to share in their joy!

It was so much fun and I feel it is very important to let everyone know...Jessica's dress sparkled!! So pretty!

Thank you for inviting me to lead your marriage ceremony!

12/06/2023

STORY TIME!

This past weekend I got to work with a photographer I met in 2022 at a wedding. She remembered me even though I always have the hardest time placing people simply because I see tens of thousands of faces every year!

She said “You were the Officiant for XYZ wedding” and I said “Oh yes! Now I remember you!”

She said the names of the couple…I won’t be sharing those details here.

Then she made a cringy face and said “You were late because you were stuck in traffic”

I replied with “Actually – I was an hour early because the couple booked me for 430pm but told everyone else the ceremony is to be at 330pm”

You see…although the date had been changed a couple of times because of lockdowns etc – at no time was I asked to change the time from the original 430pm to the new 330pm.

EVERYONE KNOW THE CEREMONY HAD BEEN CHANGED – BUT ME!

The photographer looked shocked!

I had been coming from another couple’s wedding and since they made sure everything ran on time, I was running early for my 430pm wedding.

I was right outside the wedding at 330pm (an hour early) with my phone in my hand listening to google maps get me there.

I glanced at my phone to see dozens and dozens of messages and missed calls from every way possible.

The messages were pure panic! AVRIL! WHERE ARE YOU! THE CEREMONY IS STARTING NOW!!!

Imagine how confused and horrified I was!

60 seconds later I pulled into the wedding to see all the guests in their seats waiting and the wedding party came rushing to my car to grab my stuff and get me to the mic.

Of course they wanted to know what happened!

I had a choice to make.

I could tell the truth and throw the couple under the bus in front of their parents, families, friends, and loved ones.

Or I could lie.

I lied.

I got to the mic and apologized for being late as I was stuck in Peterborough traffic trying to get across the city and thought it was best to just get here rather than stop to try to get a hold of someone on site to let them know.

Fortunately, everyone was cool about it (except for one guest who confronted me after) and told me not to worry about it. All is well now.

The photographer was so glad I told her all of this because she couldn’t fathom how the Minister could possibly be late to a wedding! Now she understands that I took a massive hit for the couple and put my own reputation on the line to save them from embarrassment on their wedding day. No guests from that wedding are likely to contact me for their own needs – but now I know the photographer would!

This is an important lesson for all.

This isn’t the first time I have arrived at a wedding to be told they changed the time and told everyone but me.

This isn’t the last time I have arrived at a wedding to be told they changed the time and told everyone but me.

It is ridiculously uncool and could cost you your ceremony!

Want the person leading your marriage ceremony (which turns your expensive party into a wedding by the way) to believe you believe this is the most important day of your life? Don’t leave them out of the conversations.

Weeks before your wedding it’s a good idea to review all of the paperwork and contracts you have with your vendors to make sure everything is as it should be, and also to make sure YOU understand the consequences of not communicating with them.

I always email my couples in the week leading up their their big day to confirm all the details including the address and location name, the time I will be there, and the time we will get started. Everyone has that opportunity to let me know they have made changes without telling me and decide if they will or will not be getting married by me as planned.

If you realize you have made a mistake – like realizing you did not tell the Minister about your schedule changes and need to ask if they can be accommodated – you need to own it and accept that it might not be something that can be fixed on such short notice.

The End.

Avril xoxo

06/06/2023

I have created another FREE printable for you!

This month's freebie is 25 Affirmations for Women!

Click the link to download this printable and if you would like the png files so you can size them any way you like, just let me know after you have downloaded the PDF!

I will be posting a video of how I love to use these affirmations so stay tuned!

Here is a boost of daily self-love for you to print and pin up everywhere you can seen them, put them in your journal, or keep them on your phone! Pop your details into the form below and you will be taken immediately to download my AFFIRMATIONS FOR WOMEN PDF. Thank you!  Avril xoxo  Please note!...

06/06/2023

An important reminder to hire professionals for your wedding.

Friendors cancel ALL THE TIME!

And it's also very likely the friend is not an ordained, licenced, and registered Officiant and just thought they could get the Church of the Universe to make its magic.

Btw...Church of the Universe is not recognized in Canada!

05/06/2023

Congratulations to

Natassja & Dale

who were married on Saturday at a gorgeous barn venue with all their loved ones there supporting them...and making sure they were very celebrated!

05/06/2023

Congratulations to

Margaret & Cole

who were married on Saturday in Cole's dad's garden with all their friends and family there cheering for them!

05/06/2023

Happy Monday! Let's address something that happens multiple times a year so we all understand why it is so so so uncool.

I totally get why couples book their vendors - you want people you vibe with, you feel you know, and have a solid track record. Usually that's me!

Trust is a massive part of that! We need to be able to trust their people we hire!

When that isn't me....why would you come to me asking for advice and information?

I understand the impulse to connect with someone who seems to know more than the people you hire, and it's important for you to understand that when someone does not work for you, it would be unethical for them to help you. Why is there so much confusion about this?

If you don't trust your vendors, or they don't have or wont get you the information you need....why hire them over the person you are coming to asking for advice?

Here's an example:

Person: Hi! I hear you know lots of florists! Can I have your list?

Me: Hi there! Thanks for reaching out! I don't have your name on my ceremony list for this year...have you booked me under another name?

Person: No lol! We booked someone else...but they don't know any florists so we need some help and you come highly recommended in that area

Me: Hm ok...my Gold List is for my couples and clients, you really should be going to your own vendors to ask them for their recommendations - perhaps the venue has a solid relationship with a florist.

Person: We are getting married at home so we don't have a venue, can't you just give us your list?

Me: You need to talk to the vendors you hired

See how uncool this is? They are going behind the backs of all of their vendors to ask for information, AND they are expecting someone they didn't hire to work for them for free.

Here's the thing...we sometimes make mistakes when hiring our vendors and don't realize it until later. If you decide it isn't working out with any of your vendors, you can always change your mind and find someone who will work for you the way you need.

29/05/2023

Fare thee well Mrs. Richards...you have left your family with so many warm (and funny) memories to sustain them as they mourn their loss.

It was a privilege serving your family as they said their goodbyes.

Rest in peace.

29/05/2023

Fare thee well Mrs. Holicky.

You gave so much love and I saw the love your family has for you as their tears fell as we said goodbye to you.

Rest in peace.

27/05/2023

Congratulations to Ryan and Melissa who were married this afternoon in the sunshine with all of their favourite people there to cheer them on and support them as they start their marriage!

Wahoo! I had a great time with all of you!

26/05/2023

Very early in my career I realized that although there are people who want to write their own vows...most have no idea how! It always seems like such a nice idea a year from your wedding day, but in reality, many of my couples end up panicking in the days before simply because they realize they did not know how to do this.

Let's be honest - most people have no clue what vows are!

When writing your vows there are some important things to include to make sure what you have isn't just a beautiful love letter, but an actual real legally binding statement.

Did you know this is required by law? I actually had a bride once ask me what the law has to do with them getting married! Hashtag face palm!

So...to minimize tears and drama, I have a guide to writing vows that I send to any couple who wants it, and I must have your vows at least 1 month before your wedding so I can make sure they meet the legal requirements, sound good, and offer suggestions. Usually that means taking what you have and putting it in an order that makes sense, and sometimes that means taking someone's bullet points and making them make sense.

Ultimately your vows are NOT your wedding speech - we don't need to hear your entire love story, save that for the dinner! The best vows are under 60 seconds and include your intentions for your marriage.

Once we have your own vows finished and ready for your ceremony, I design and print custom vow books to match your wedding theme and colours....and you get to keep them in your wedding memory box!

These vow books were created for a sweet couple who got married in the forest on a beautiful spring day!

25/05/2023

Fare thee well Mr. Webb.

It was a privilege serving your family and leading them through their goodbyes. You were well loved and admired and will be missed.

Rest in peace.

25/05/2023

"When words are inadequate, have a ritual."

Rituals are symbolic activities that help us, together with our families and friends, express our deepest thoughts and feelings about life's most important events. Baptism celebrates the birth of a child and that child's acceptance into the church family.

Birthday parties honor the passing of another year in the life of someone we love. Weddings publicly affirm the private love shared by two people.

The funeral ritual, too, is a public, traditional and symbolic means of expressing our beliefs, thoughts and feelings about the death of someone loved. Rich in history and rife with symbolism, the funeral ceremony helps us acknowledge the reality of the death, gives testimony to the life of the deceased, encourages the expression of grief in a way consistent with the culture's values, provides support to mourners, allows for the embracing of faith and beliefs about life and death, and offers continuity and hope for the living.

~ by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. ~

I am available 7 days a week for funerals, memorials, celebrations of life, and scatterings. It is always an honour and a privilege to serve you and your family at your time of sorrow.

24/05/2023

Did you know I'm also a professional Tarot reader?

I am now offering readings for your cocktail hour entertainment!

Any of your guests to want a reading will get to pull a card and hear the messages that belong to them!

This is what your guests will talk about for years to come!

Oh...and how incredible your ceremony was...natch!

23/05/2023

Happy Tuesday! How was your long weekend? I was so happy to see sunshine after all that rain on Saturday!

Here is this week's blog post...all about how to build your confidence for your wedding photos!

Everyone experiences a dip in self-esteem from time to time, but this shouldn’t be the case on your wedding day. We want you feeling your best! If you’re feeling nervous about being in front of a c…

19/05/2023

Today is the day! Wedding season officially begins!

I am heading out to my first big wedding of 2023 and I am so excited!

Gotta polish my shoes, iron my dress, and make sure my minister book is filled with all of the ceremony scripts! Wahoo!

Keep an eye out for photos appearing on my Instagram! Or do you want to see them here too? Let me know in the comments!