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Weddings

About

On WeddingWire since 2022

Last update: March 2025

Weddingbella is a Marriage Officiant business based just outside the city of Winnipeg near Birds Hill Park (Manitoba). We also have Officiants based in the city of Winnipeg. Our team of licensed and experienced Marriage Commissioners helps to reduce stress for our couples by providing them with a one-stop experience. From the aquisition of a Marriage License, to the rehearsal and ceremony, plus assistance with completion of the Marriage Certificate Request form, we ensure that your ceremony needs and all legalities are taken care of so you can concentrate on other Wedding Day details.

Services Offered

Weddingbella offers services for single-faith, multi-faith, and non-religious ceremonies as well as civil unions and vow renewals. We love incorporating cultural elements and traditions as well. If to-be-weds want to be wed by a loved one (personal officiant), our team also offers "Helping Hand" services by being the legal signatory and other assistance, such as vow creation, assisting with writing a ceremony or simply providing resources to help their personal officiant create a wedding ceremony that looks and feels like a professional officiant. Every couple can anticipate a ceremony that truly reflects their wishes and needs, tailored just for them.

SERVICES AND FEES; Effective January 1, 2024

Uniquely Yours Ceremony

Wedding ceremonies are a personal and intimate exchange of love, which is why the Uniquely Yours ceremony is a favourite choice amongst couples. Your ceremony will be a reflection of you, incorporating cultural traditions, faith-based beliefs, or traditional elements. Weddingbella will schedule a Zoom meeting with you, then customize your ceremony down to the smallest detail ensuring that it is Uniquely Yours!

Mini-Matrimony Ceremony

The time-saver ceremony. You provide us with your vow and ring exchange selections (don't worry, we have resources to help you with that), and we'll write you a beautiful ceremony approximately 10 minutes long. Before you know it, your "I Do's" are finished and you're ready to continue the celebration with your loved ones!

The Quickie Ceremony

No need to shake the nerves off for this ceremony....it's not a ceremony at all. A quick exchange of verbal and written legalities in front of 2 witnesses (and your officiant) and your married!

If you want to do a vow and ring exchange, the legal exchanges will be used (no personal vows or ring exchange)

Perfect for couples planning a destination wedding and want to "make it legal" before their tropical sandy beach wedding.

Wedding Rehearsal

The Wedding Rehearsal is an important service to consider when planning your wedding. A one-hour wedding rehearsal is usually sufficient in ensuring that the ceremony goes smoothly. While not mandatory, a rehearsal is encouraged if you have a medium-large wedding party or have incorporated additional elements in your ceremony (practice makes for a perfect wedding ceremony)

Helping Hand

The Helping Hand service is often used when couples select a friend or family member to officiate their wedding. We will assist your Personal Officiant by providing our advice and guidance on creating the ceremony, or review the ceremony to ensure it includes all the legal requirements. We will also assist them with running your rehearsal.

To legally marry you and your fiancé, your Personal Officiant will require a Temporary Marriage Officiating License from the Province of Manitoba. For a few dollars more, we can provide the legal signature at your ceremony, saving your Personal Officiant's time and anxiety of applying for their own license. We also take care of all the legal paperwork, ensuring error free forms are sent into Vital Statistics in a timely manner. Your friend or family member still performs the ceremony, while we ensure the legal obligations are met.

Depending on how many services are requested - bundling discounts applied. Contact Weddingbella for a quote and a list of all Helping Hand services.

Mileage fees: apply to rural Wedding Rehearsals and Ceremonies only

Marriage License:

Before tying the knot, a Marriage License is required. Weddingbella can provide this service to you.

Marriage Licenses must be purchased at least 24 hours prior to the ceremony and are valid for 3 months.
When you meet with us for your Marriage License, you will need the following:

  • Identification
  • Parental Names and Place of Birth (biological parents only but also applies to deceased parents)
  • If previously married, an "original" Divorce Certificate or Decree (no other documents accepted)
  • If widowed, proof of passing
  • E-transfer only



Frequently asked questions

What types of weddings and events do you provide services for?

Civil union
Single religion
Interfaith ceremony
Non-religious
Vow renewal
Ceremony rehearsal

What services do you provide?

Licensed
Allow couple' own vows

What religious affiliations do you serve?

Agnostic
Anglican
Baptist
Lutheran
No denomination
Presbyterian
Evangelical

On average, how long are wedding ceremonies you officiate?

Less than 30 mins.

What is the starting price for your wedding services?

$150

Does starting price include the ceremony rehearsal?

No

What is the starting price for ceremony rehearsals?

$150

If you offer pre-marital counseling, what is the starting price for (per session)?

$15
illustration notebook

Any other questions?

Reviews for Weddingbella

Nicole
Nicole Sent on 17/05/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Best Wedding Officiant!

Shawna helped direct my husband and I into creating a ceremony that was personal and very much us! She gave so much insight and helpful advice that was very much appreciated. We were so happy to have her a part of our wedding day!
Nick
Nick Sent on 09/06/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Absolutely Amazing Experience

Shawna was truly the best choice as wedding officiant. If you are looking for someone to make your special day even more special, look no further. Shawna is the best and is made for this job. Thank you again for such a wonderful celebration!
R
Romina Sent on 18/05/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Quickie Ceremony with Shawna

We had a quick ceremony, and Shawna made every moment feel meaningful and full of love. She was warm, professional, and brought such a calming presence to our special day. Even with a shorter ceremony, she made it personal and memorable—we couldn’t have asked for more. Highly recommend her to anyone looking for a thoughtful, kind, and genuine officiant!

E
Eric Sent on 17/05/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Great Wedding Officiant

Shawna was amazing and thorough with all the options you can do for your ceremony. We are glad we got to include her in our special day.
K
Kristian Sent on 28/04/2025
5 out of 5 rating

WeddingBella - A+++

We cannot recommend Shawna enough. She was extremely prompt, courteous and helped make our ceremony everything we had wanted. WeddingBella top to bottom was first class to deal with -- and if you are looking for the officiant for your wedding, big or small, look no further!
T
Trystan Sent on 23/04/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect Day

Shawna was amazing. She took care of everything for us, was incredibly accommodating, and even picked the perfect venue for us. We went with her Quickie Wedding service, and it was exactly that. Straight and to the point. But at no time did we feel rushed, and it still had a loving personal touch. The price was very affordable and almost a steal for the amount of work she put in.

We would highly recommend her.
U
Ughamadu Sent on 21/04/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Shawna at Weddingbella was an absolute dream to work with

We can't recommend Shawna enough!
She arrived early, helped us with last -minute details, and ensured everything ran smoothly. She's not only an exceptional wedding officiant but also a wonderful person who genuinely cares about the couples she works with. Thank you, Shawna, for making our wedding day truly unforgettable!
J
Jenny Sent on 12/03/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Shawna set the tone for a joyous wedding

Shawna is simply amazing! Great communication, clear homework to keep us on track, and a fantastically positive attitude. Her calm and welcoming presence set the tone for our wedding and we couldn’t be more thankful.
D
Dominic Sent on 02/03/2025
4.8 out of 5 rating

Last minute Wedding

Very quick to respond, lots of work and effort was put into to it. It was more than we were expecting with such a quick turn around.
Char
Char Sent on 12/02/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Choose Shawna for your personalized ceremony

Shawna was wonderful to work with for creating and facilitating our personalized wedding ceremony. Her friendly and welcoming personality made her easy to work with. She is highly professional and also truly cares about her clients. We felt seen and heard throughout the entire process. We especially appreciated Shawna’s willingness to incorporate non-traditional aspects such as involving our various guests throughout the ceremony, her attention to detail, and all of the ‘little extras’ she provided to make our day special. We would highly recommend her to any couple who wants to move beyond a traditional ceremony to one that truly embodies them. There are not enough words to describe how positive our experience was with Shawna. 10/10 recommend!
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

23
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Are you interested?

Meet the team

Denise Borowski
Denise Borowski
Marriage Officiant / Marriage License Issuer

I'm happily married to my husband of 35 years and have always been an active member of my community while raising two children.

I currently volunteer for Prairie Strides as a side-walker, which is an extremely rewarding opportunity.

In the winter months, I spend time at the curling rink and enjoys a long bike ride in the summer.

My spare time is spent with family and friends, which is especially important to me.

I has also had a lengthy career at the University of Manitoba and remains there today.

I met Shawna in 2019 and soon after, became a member of the Weddingbella Team. It has been a fun filled adventure, working alongside Shawna doing what we both love to do.

Meeting new couples in love, both excited and nervous as they start planning their wedding, warms my heart and I am always honored to have a role to play.

Sorting out the details, and designing a ceremony unique to them and their relationship is a privilege and a job I do not take lightly.

In the end I am blessed with the front row seat on one of the most important days of their lives and for that I am thankful.

Mat Pilgrim
Mat Pilgrim
Marriage Officiant / Marriage License Issuer

I grew up in Altona: a small town in Southern Manitoba, where I learned the value of community and the importance of family. In later years, after I married my husband, I moved to Winnipeg where the hustle and bustle of city life taught me how to pivot quickly to life's little (or big) hiccups.

It was our own wedding that seeded his desire to become a celebrant. Our wedding was simple, fun, yet elegant. It was officiated by a family friend who showed us that weddings don't have to conform to a cookie cutter, but can be the special day you want it to be.

So what is a celebrant? Some say it is the person who performs a wedding ceremony. Others broaden that further to say a celebrant is a person who performs a rite or ceremony. I would say that a celebrant is the Lead Celebrator; the person that sets the tone for the celebration. I really wants to be that person for you.

Shawna Peterson
Shawna Peterson
Owner / Marriage Officiant / Marriage License Issuer

I was Manitoba born and raised, and have lived most of my life here (with the exception of a very long six months in Richmond, BC)

I am married to Dave, my awesome partner in life of 35 years. I enjoy being a Nana to 4 beautiful grandchildren, ranging from newborn (January 16, 2024) to 11 years old.

I have always loved and lived life to the fullest. I wrote an entertaining book in 2015 which depicts some of the funniest (and most embarassing) moments in my life. I view life through rose-colored glasses and believe the glass is ALWAYS “almost full” (half glass full is for skeptics) and believes there is light in every corner of darkness.

My faith, steadfast belief in love and the constitution of marriage, coupled with the natural gift of serving others, makes Marriage Officiating a match made in heaven for me.

My first wedding was in 2014 when I had the honour of officiating my niece Robyn and her fiance, Brad’s wedding. This began to fuel a passion as I officiated several weddings for family, friends and colleagues (includng my 78 year old dad and new bride).

In 2018, I retired from my 28 year career in the Federal Public Service, and shortly thereafter, created Weddingbella,

Denise, Mat or myself would love to chat with you about your wedding plans and create a masterpiece ceremony that your Wedding Day deserves!

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Map

18 Louise Street R1C 0H2 Winnipeg (Manitoba)

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