If you've made it to this page, you're probably wondering who this person is who might be standing with you for one of the most important moments of your life.

 

Hi! I'm Deb Vaughan:  officiant, clergy, storyteller, creative soul and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. 

 

I 've spent many years walking alongside people through life's big moments: weddings and new beginnings, babies and blessings, loss and goodbyes, and all those complicated, beautiful places in between.​

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​I live in beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake, where I also have the Wee Wedding Cottage, my little home-based ceremony space.

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I'm a writer and podcaster, I make things, I take far too many photographs, and I have a definite fondness for anything that sparkles.

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I have two awesome sons who are insanely supportive of my scathingly brilliant ideas.  And we have a very bouncy puppy named Finn who loves terrorizing our three cats Louie, Bessie, and Dory.

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I love to attend Drag brunches (photo with the delightful Macy Manolo), support local Pride events (yes, that's my oldest with the green hat) and well, live colourfully.

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​​​Yup, I am ordained

Yes, I am clergy. In fact, I am an Archbishop in an inclusive, progressive church.

But where you are on your spiritual journey - or whether spirituality is part of your life at all - is entirely yours.

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I respect the experiences, questions, beliefs and understandings that have brought you to this place of love. You may have a deep and joyful faith, a complicated relationship with religion, a spirituality all your own, or absolutely no interest in any of it. You are welcome here.

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Your ceremony will never be about what I believe. It will be about you.

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If you want prayer, blessing or sacred tradition, we can make room for it. If you want a ceremony with no religious language whatsoever, that's absolutely fine too. And if you're somewhere beautifully in between, we'll find the words that feel right.

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I don't need you to believe what I believe.

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I simply want to honour who you are, the love you share, and the promises you are choosing to make to one another.  That's my promise to you.

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About Your Ceremony:

A Ceremony Doesn't Have to Be Stuffy

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I don't believe that the ceremony has to be solemn, formal or filled with words that don't sound anything like the people standing in front of me.  I've done many of those over the years, and for some couples, it is what they want, and I am happy to lead them through it.
 

But, your ceremony can be tender and romantic. It might be spiritual. It might be short and sweet. There may be tears. There will probably be laughter. I've been known to do theme weddings and join you in costume...  It is important that your ceremony reflects who you are.

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Weddings that happen at the Wee Wedding Cottage are often informal.  So, if a little sparkle, fabulousness or camp happens to sneak in, I'm there with you.

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​Why Queerly Beloved?

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Because being welcomed isn't quite the same thing as belonging. I know about this first hand having come out a little later in life.  When I found myself, I found my community. 
 

I wanted to create a place where LGBTQ+ people could come knowing from the very beginning that there would be no awkward questions, no assumptions and no need to explain or edit who they are.

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You, your partner, your family and your chosen family are celebrated and welcome here.  Completely.