TORONTO — Travel advisors are accustomed to booking destination weddings for their clients. But Tammy Biblow never expected to be the one to do the actual marrying. 

The Yorkton, Saskatchewan-based travel advisor and owner of Vacations Yorkton found a second calling – and additional source of income – during the dark days of the pandemic as a marriage commissioner, a role she says has not only helped her clients but also enhanced her business. With borders closed and destination wedding clients forced to either cancel or postpone their nuptials, Biblow felt helpless – until a client approached her with an out-of-the-box idea.

“They said that they wished I provided marriage services so they could just get married and rebook their wedding at a later date when borders reopened and travel stabilized. I thought about it and realized that it would be an amazing service to offer all my destination wedding clients, almost all of whom have simple symbolic ceremonies in destination. So I looked into the legal requirements, applied and was accepted,” Biblow tells Travelweek.

The first wedding she ever performed was in August 2021 for her husband’s cousin, which she described as a nerve-wracking experience due to inclement weather forcing the outdoor ceremony to move indoors. But it all worked out in the end, with just 20 guests taking part in a beautiful, intimate gathering. In the months afterward, thanks to word of mouth, Biblow performed dozens of weddings in her local community, including her own brother’s. 

“This journey of becoming a marriage commissioner and performing weddings has been one that I could have never imagined. Not only am I planning the wedding of my client’s dreams, I’m also performing the wedding ceremony, taking part on the happiest day of their lives. It’s an honour that they bestow on me like none other,” says Biblow.

GETTING CERTIFIED

According to Biblow, becoming a marriage commissioner in her home province was a relatively simple process. She had to submit an application with a resume and letter stating why being a commissioner would be beneficial both professionally and personally, three letters of reference speaking to her ability to be a successful marriage commissioner, as well as a criminal background check. There wasn’t a fee required at the time of her application, she says, however, now in Saskatchewan a $100 fee is now mandatory for a one-day appointment, or $200 for a five-year term appointment. Requirements may vary in each province.

“If travel advisors are wedding or honeymoon specialists, I recommend looking into offering this service. In a forever-changing industry, I believe it’s important to think outside the box, stand out from your competitors and offer something new,” says Biblow.

THE PANDEMIC BOOM

You could certainly say the timing was perfect for Biblow to become certified as a marriage commissioner. The pandemic forced a full-stop on global travel and large gatherings, forcing destination wedding couples to forego ceremonies abroad and instead opt for small, very intimate nuptials at home. As such, marriage commissioners were in high demand, says Biblow, who saw the opportunity and seized it. 

“Performing weddings is a personal service that I offer independently from my agency, meaning it isn’t bundled within the agency’s travel packages but is listed as a distinct and individual service,” says Biblow. “It is an ‘added value,’ something that I started to do during the pandemic to bring me joy in a dire time. It turned out to be a huge bonus in my agency.”

Today, Biblow is proud to say that her agency offers “the full meal deal” of wedding services. “We plan client’s destination weddings, honeymoons and legally marry them before they travel to destination – no matter how big or small,” she says. 

MARKETING & FEES

Nowadays, Biblow performs about 12-15 weddings a year, many taking place in her office, “especially if it’s just a quick legal ceremony before the couple heads off to destination,” she says. But she has performed marriage ceremonies in backyards, in living rooms, parks, town halls and everywhere in between. “Each location is what the couple envisioned for their special day,” says Biblow. 

She primarily markets her wedding services through social media (“My Facebook and Instagram pages play a huge role in reaching potential couples and clients”) and local community networks. She’s also listed among the top marriage commissioners in her city on the Government of Saskatchewan’s website. 

Biblow charges $200 for the marriage ceremony, $50 for the wedding rehearsal, and an additional $0.50/km for out-of-town weddings. “These costs are typically separate from the destination wedding package to maintain financial clarity,” she says.

THE BIG PAY OFF

Offering marriage services adds approximately 5%-10% in extra revenue to Biblow’s business, a significant pay off, particularly since wedding destinations are back bigger than ever, post-pandemic. Describing it as a “wonderful complement to my travel services,” Biblow says her role as a marriage commissioner not only enhances her overall client offerings, but also keeps her business on the forefront of people’s minds.

“The spin-off of new clients we have received because of these weddings is immeasurable to me,” says Biblow. 

Although performing wedding ceremonies does entail a bit of extra effort and work, Biblow says it’s been very manageable thus far. “With proper scheduling and passion for the task at hand, it adds a rewarding variety to the routine of travel planning. It adds a unique and celebratory dimension to my professional life,” she says.

As for destination wedding couples who, during the pandemic, were forced to cancel their travel plans and marry at home, why do they continue to choose to marry before travelling if global borders have long since reopened? 

“Couples often prefer to handle the legal paperwork at home, to ensure a stress-free symbolic destination ceremony,” says Biblow. “It allows them to celebrate without legal constraints, making the event purely about their love and commitment.”

ADVICE FOR FELLOW AGENTS

When asked whether becoming a marriage commissioner is a good idea for all travel advisors, Biblow says it’s more suited for those with an eye for detail.

“This service is best suited for advisors who have a genuine interest in travel planning and a knack for multi-tasking,” she says. “My advice is to thoroughly research the certification process, be prepared for the commitment, and make sure to clearly separate it from your travel services for better management.”

For those who decide to make the leap of faith and become certified, Biblow says it may end up being the best decision they ever made. 

“Becoming a commissioner has brought me so much joy and definitely helped maintain and expand my wedding group business,” she says. “I have so many amazing marriage stories, all of which make me smile and tear up. It has been so fulfilling and rewarding.”