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About

Carl J. Shields, Alberta Marriage Commissioner is a wedding officiant operating out of Banff, Alberta, who specializes in non-denominational ceremonies. Presiding over unions in the breathtaking Canadian Rockies, Carl does his utmost to create personalized experiences for all of his clients. He possesses several decades’ worth of experience and knows how to turn visions into realities through his detailed and considerate approach.

Services Offered

A versatile and approachable professional, Carl happily adapts his services to suit the needs of his clients. Whether the couple of honour is planning a lavish or low-key festivity, Carl J. Shields, Alberta Marriage Commissioner can do their concept justice. Owing to his familiarity with the region, he is able to suggest appropriate venues that fit with every to-be-wed’s ideas. Carl can bring a range of weddings to life, whether they’re overlooking Lake Louise or in the cozy confines of a beautiful hotel. His wife, Susan, helps with the planning stages, resolving any questions that need to be answered. Carl also performs ceremony rehearsals and vow renewals, and encourages couples to include their own bespoke vows.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Non-religious
Vow renewal
Ceremony rehearsal

What services do you provide?

Licensed
Allow couple' own vows

What religious affiliations do you serve?

No denomination

On average, how long are wedding ceremonies you officiate?

Less than 30 mins.

What is the starting price for your wedding services?

$250

Does starting price include the ceremony rehearsal?

No

What is the starting price for ceremony rehearsals?

$100
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Any other questions?

Reviews for Carl J. Shields, Alberta Marriage Commissioner

We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
4.3 out of 5 rating
4.3 out of 5 rating
7 reviews
86% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    4.3 out of 5 rating
  • Response time
    4.1 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    4.4 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.3 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.4 out of 5 rating
Emily
Emily Sent on 01/11/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Great Comissioner

Definitely recommend Carl he was excellent at our ceremony, kept things lighthearted and professional!
Daniela
Daniela M. Sent on 26/04/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Canmore Elopement 10/10 recommend

Was amazing to work with Carl and Sarah. We contacted them with short notice for an elopement, and they responded fast and enthusiastically. They were great at guiding us with what documents and information were needed for the wedding date. They were in contact with us until the date of, and Carl showed up earlier to discuss the process, fill out the paperwork and ask us for our preferences. Straight up to the preferred pronouns. It was a beautiful ceremony, well worded and moved our guests to tears. We were worried about not memorizing our lines for the ceremony, but he led us beautifully and seamlessly. We highly recommend working with Carl. It was an amazing experience.
Brittany
Brittany Sent on 05/01/2023
4.6 out of 5 rating

Definitely Suggest

Great commissioner who kept our ceremony nice and short. Would just have asked that he arrived maybe a little earlier as he only got there ten minutes before the ceremony.
Carmon
Carmon G. Sent on 28/10/2022
5 out of 5 rating

He was so kind and knowledgeable

Carl was amazing! He put everyone at ease…knew where to go for photos, had suggestions to make everything run smoothly, very well spoken and just a kind sole.
Kara
Kara Sent on 25/07/2022
1 out of 5 rating

Don’t try to book if you want to have peace of mind for your wedding date

The communication between myself and Carl’s wife Susan was extremely unprofessional. I reached out with an email and through their website booking form and heard no response for weeks. When I reached out again through a phone call, Susan asked me to send another email and she would get back to me. She acknowledged receipt of the email and that Carl was available to officiate on our wedding day, and then all further communication was nonexistent. No follow up as promised. Nothing to ease my mind to confirm we had someone to officiate for our date. Don’t waste your time… weeks, months, trying to get a response from them, they don’t seem interested in being reliable and consistent which is important for anyone anticipating a special event.
S
Sina P. Sent on 02/06/2023
4.8 out of 5 rating

Great commissioner that was very flexible

Carl was great to work with in terms of mapping out the day, especially with some intricacies that needed to be followed on my family's behalf. Carl was great with ironing out all the details leading up to the day. On the day of, he was fantastic at carrying the conversation and really making an impact on the ceremony.
L
Lee B. Sent on 06/04/2020
4.8 out of 5 rating

Perfect Wedding

Thoroughly professional, Carl’s laid back demeanour was perfect for our small, intimate, low key wedding. He travelled to Lake Louise to perform the ceremony, was there in ample time, found a perfect location and performed a relaxed, fun ceremony. He was adaptable, we asked for a hand fasting ceremony to celebrate our Celtic roots. A genuinely nice, thoughtful person, he made our wedding a perfect day to remember. I would highly recommend Carl’s services.
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P.O. Box 1267 T1L 1B3 Banff (Alberta)

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