Pop-Up Elopement Days
What is an Elopement Day?
The Town of Fort Frances offers special Elopement Day services where couples who book ahead are issued their marriage licence and married in a simple ceremony all in one appointment.
This service is especially ideal for those who:
- Are having an out-of-country wedding
- Are looking for an affordable wedding
- Are opting for a low-key, intimate celebration
- Fort Frances holds personal significance for them
- Want to have a low-impact wedding for the environment
- Want an easy to plan wedding
- Want to do intimate vow renewals (at a discounted price of $347)
How do I book?
- Contact clerks@fortfrances.ca; or
- Use this form: https://www.fortfrances.ca/request-marriage-service
Who can book?
Anyone legally able to get married in the Province of Ontario, including:
- Couples 18 (eighteen) years and older
- Couples of any gender and sexuality
- Couples from any country of origin
- Couples who are not currently married
- Couples who can understand the language of the ceremony and marriage licence, or can provide an interpreter
- Couples who can provide 2 (two) pieces of government-issued identification each
Schedule
Below are our dates, locations, themes. If you are a local Fort Frances business willing to partner with the Town of Fort Frances in providing a location, please contact clerks@fortfrances.ca.
Please note, dates subject to rescheduling. We will always do everything in our power to avoid needing to reschedule your special day. For venue cancellations (ie. for inclement weather, business cancellations, etc.) we'll use the Council Chambers at the Civic Centre as a backup.
| Date | Location | Theme |
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October 31, 2025 Booking now! Regular spots all booked, but you can request new spots to be opened up or join a waitlist! |
8th Street Trails |
Halloween - Black tulle, white pumpkins, gold archway. Dependent on weather and conditions, a fire will be made for couples to enjoy down the trail. |
| December 12, 2025 | Announcing soon! | Winter |
| January 30, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
| February 13, 2026 | TBD | Valentines |
| March 27, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
| April 24, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
| May 29, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
| June 19, 2026 | TBD | Rainbow |
| July 31, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
| August 28, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
| November 27, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
| December 11, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
Who is the Officiant?
The Municipal Clerk and Deputy Clerk officiate these weddings.
What is included?
- Your Marriage Licence
- Your Marriage Ceremony performed by an Officiant
- Your completed licence mailed to the Ontario Registrar
- Pre-decorated
- When weddings take place in the Council Chambers, with advance notice, Microsoft Teams can be setup so your friends and family can stream (indoors only)
- When weddings take place in the Council Chambers, gallery seating for guests
- The Officiant will also stay behind upon request for up to 5 (five) minutes to take group photos with your camera or cellphone
What is the price?
All prices inclusive of HST. Payable by debit, cash, or cheque.
- Elopement with marriage licence - $500
- Elopement without marriage licence - $347 (if you already have a valid Ontario marriage licence)
- Vow renewal - $347
What do I need?
- 2 (two) government-issued, non-expired pieces of identification each. One needs to be a photo identification.
- If there's a prior marriage which ended in divorce or annulment, we require the original or court certified true copy of the paperwork.
- Two witnesses, recommended to both be over 16 (sixteen) years of age understanding what they're witnessing. Witnesses can be provided by the Town of Fort Frances for $25+HST per required witness.
How soon until I get my Marriage Certificate?
Your marriage licence is mailed to the Ontario Registrar within 24 working hours of the ceremony. The Registrar recommends waiting minimum 6-8 (six to eight) weeks for your Marriage Certificate, however if there are any errors on your marriage licence, this will extend the time it takes to receive your Marriage Certificate. Always check your Marriage Licence thoroughly with your Issuer.
Your Officiant is only able to provide when the Marriage Licence was mailed to the Registrar and is unable to request updates from the Province of Ontario on the status of your Marriage Certificate.
Who do I contact for more information?
The Office of the Clerk
clerks@fortfrances.ca
(807) 274-5323
Design by Chelsea Greig
© 2025 The Town of Fort Frances