In August of 1992 I developed an interest in being a Marriage Commissioner for the Province of British Columbia.  There weren't any opportunities then but in 1995 an opening in Nelson occurred and I participated in the competition. I was not successful, but my application was kept on file. In June 1997, I received an inquiry asking if I still was interested as one of the current Marriage Commissioners was leaving and there were 13 marriages booked! The rest, as the saying goes, is history.

As of April 2009, I've officiated at 650 ceremonies.

There are almost 300 Marriage Commissioners, performing 55% of marriages cermonies in BC. I've conducted marriage ceremonies at water falls, beaches, backyards, mountain sides, local parks, homes and halls, and wilderness mountain lakes and peaks accessed by helicopter. (Pictures below.)
I don't skate nor bungy cord jump.

This marriage ceremony is being performed in the couples' yard. It was August and blazing hot! When I arrived the neighbour's sprinkler was playing all over the chairs and they all had puddles. All during the ceremony, this same neighbour's small dog yapped incessantly from their porch at shoulder height. When the bride approached, the groom turned to her with a big ring in his nose!

A ceremony at Fletcher Falls was conducted on the narrow pathway 30 meters from the falls. One step backwards and I would be wet! The roar from the falls was so loud, I couldn't make myself heard more than 3 meters away.

On the beach at Crawford Bay, the groom's 'best man' was his teenage daughter. I noticed her fidgeting through the latter part of the ceremony. Later she told how a bee had flown up her very short dress.

On the beach at Taghum, the music was from a man with Northumberland Shepherd's pipes. Beautiful haunting sounds, so unlike the screech of the similar looking bagpipes. His wife played a Celtic harp, also a delightful sound. This was the 'classiest' outdoor wedding to date. The groom arrived by power boat, a half hour late!

In the woods on the North Shore, at the end of the ceremony the bride threw her arms around my neck and thanked me. I was left to assume she was satisfied with the service.

Following a pre-wedding meeting at my house, I walked out to the car with the young couple. The groom bent over and picked up a folded piece of paper which was fluttering in the wind by the rear wheel. "Here is that $1000 cheque, I've searched the whole house looking for it!" he exclaimed. It had been folded up in their chequebook and fell out when he left the vehicle.
 

I'm writing to tell you how absolutely pleased Dan and I were with your services. We couldn't have asked for a better and more personalized ceremony.
Many of our friends and family also complimented on how wonderful of a job you did!
We had such a perfect wedding day, and you helped make it so special.
You will come highly recommended to all friends and family. (D-W)

I would like to thank you so much for your flexibility and willingness to do so much for us!
From your bumpy ride on a snowmobile to a wild ride on a helicopter and wedding service on top of a snowy mountain peak!
You truly made the best day of my life possible!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! (N-E)

Thanks so much for performing our marriage. Your warmth and humour helped make it a special day for us.
Your personality, kind spirit and humour added so much to our 'memory bank'   (S-J)

Thank you SO much for the wonderful wedding ceremony you performed for us!
We had a wonderful day !! (S-S)

Thank you SO much for making our wedding day so easy !! You were great !!  (D-C)

Thank you for marrying us under such short notice. We both appreciated it. The wedding ceremony went wonderfully and we shared a few laughs! (T-S)

Thank you very much for the wonderful job you did as Marriage Commissioner for our wedding. We appreciate your warmth and kindness. (P-B)

Thanks so much for everything! You did a super service for us and we both felt it was a magical marriage.
Your suggestion of Gyro Park was excellent, and though it wasn't as quiet as we all would have liked it, we thought it a wonderful spot for a wedding.
The flower beds are also excellent for photos. Many of our guests said it was the nicest marriage they had attended.
We would like to send you a photo soon. Thanks Derek, and best wishes!- . (D-T)

Thankyou so much for helping us launch on our life's journey together. You are a warm and kind man. (D-A)