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Patrick Smiley – Marriage Commissioner

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Last reviewed: August 1, 2026 | Canmore | Wedding Officiants |

Business status: Active.

Last reviewed: August 1, 2026. Business status: Active.

Last reviewed August 1, 2026. Patrick Smiley’s current official website identifies him as an Alberta marriage commissioner offering civil marriage ceremonies from a Cochrane base. The domain matches his name and service directly, correcting the legacy listing’s outdated association with a DJ website. His About Me page says he sold that DJ service and now applies his wedding experience to personalized ceremonies.

For couples comparing a Cochrane marriage commissioner, the most useful confirmed details are the published $400-plus-GST personalized ceremony fee within town limits, the consultation and planning support included with that service, and the separate travel schedule for several nearby and mountain destinations. No current postal address or telephone number is published on the official officiant website, so this profile leaves those fields blank and uses the official email contact described below.

Services and specialization

Patrick’s official site focuses on personalized civil marriage ceremonies. The published package includes a pre-booking consultation, ongoing planning support and a Love Story introduction based on how the couple met, fell in love and became engaged. He also officiates the ceremony, provides a Civil Marriage Statement and submits the completed registration of marriage to Alberta Vital Statistics.

His About Me page additionally lists vow renewals and commitment ceremonies. It describes options ranging from fuller ceremonies with readings and unity elements to shorter ceremonies connected with destination-wedding plans. The FAQ says most ceremony wording can be adapted, but the required legal statements and sufficient expression of intent must remain.

Service area and who it may suit

The FAQ says Patrick is appointed to perform civil ceremonies in Cochrane and the immediate surrounding area. His Fees page also publishes travel charges for Water Valley, Cremona, Ghost Lake, Jumping Pound, Bragg Creek, Canmore, Kananaskis Village, Banff, Lake Minnewanka and selected Lake Louise-area destinations.

This service may suit couples seeking a personalized civil ceremony, an elopement, a vow renewal or a legal ceremony before a symbolic destination celebration. The site also says he is comfortable with outdoor ceremonies throughout the year, while recommending an indoor backup when possible. Couples outside Cochrane should confirm that their precise venue falls within his current authorized service area and that he is available to travel there.

Ceremony planning and inclusions

The personalized package includes a free consultation before booking by phone, Zoom or FaceTime. After booking, the site lists unlimited planning and support consultations by email, phone, FaceTime or Zoom. For groups of 25 or more—or locations with substantial ambient noise—Patrick says he supplies his own microphone and speaker.

The FAQ permits a friend or relative to participate through readings or other non-legal elements, but says the marriage commissioner must remain visibly responsible for the legal ceremony. It also suggests holding a separate legal ceremony before a friend- or family-led symbolic celebration when that better fits the couple’s plans.

Confirmed strengths and practical limitations

Documented strengths include a defined personalization process, continued planning support, filing of the completed marriage registration and audio equipment for larger or noisy settings. The official site also provides unusually specific travel charges, helping couples identify likely additions before they enquire.

Practical limitations are equally important. The marriage licence, official government marriage certificate, GST and two witnesses are not included. Rehearsals cost extra, are offered only in Cochrane and remain subject to availability. The site does not publish a current rehearsal price, general availability calendar, street address or officiant telephone number. Its FAQ emphasizes Cochrane and the immediate area even though the Fees page lists travel farther afield, so destination eligibility should be confirmed directly.

Pricing

The official Fees page currently publishes a $400 fee plus GST for a personalized ceremony within Cochrane town limits. A $100 deposit confirms the booking, with the remaining payment due two days before the ceremony. Fees are payable to Patrick by e-transfer unless another arrangement is made. Pricing was checked on August 1, 2026, but couples should reconfirm the full written total before paying.

Travel additions currently listed by destination are:

$20 for Water Valley, Cremona, the Ghost Lake area, Jumping Pound or Bragg Creek.
$40 plus GST for Canmore or Kananaskis Village.
$60 plus GST for Banff or the Lake Minnewanka area.
$200 plus GST for Chateau Lake Louise.
$250 plus GST for Moraine Lake, Bow Lake or Lake Louise Ski Hill.
An individual quote for other locations; rush registration is listed at $50 plus GST.

Contact and booking

The official website directs enquiries to psmiley@me.com. Patrick asks couples to include the proposed ceremony date, time, location and expected number of guests. Supplying those details should allow him to assess availability, travel and audio needs without relying on the outdated contact information in the legacy record.

Before sending the deposit, request written confirmation of the ceremony format, venue, travel charge, GST, rehearsal arrangements if needed, payment schedule and cancellation or rescheduling terms. The FAQ says at least 15 minutes of delay is allowed, but a longer delay could affect whether he can remain when another booking follows.

What couples should confirm

The website supplies a useful outline, but several booking-specific details require direct confirmation. Couples should also verify current Alberta marriage-licence and certificate procedures with the appropriate provincial or registry source rather than assuming either document is included in Patrick’s fee.

Ask Patrick to confirm:

Availability for the exact date, start time and venue.
Whether the location falls within his current appointment and travel area.
The complete fee including GST, travel, rehearsal and any rush-registration charge.
Which ceremony elements can be personalized and when final wording is due.
Whether his microphone and speaker are appropriate for the guest count and setting.
The couple’s responsibilities for the marriage licence and two witnesses.
Weather backup, access, parking and timing plans for an outdoor ceremony.
Cancellation, rescheduling and deposit terms in writing.

Continue planning

Frequently asked questions

How much does Patrick Smiley charge for a Cochrane ceremony?

His official Fees page currently lists a personalized ceremony within Cochrane town limits at $400 plus GST. A $100 deposit confirms the booking, and final payment is due two days before the ceremony.

What is included in Patrick Smiley’s personalized ceremony fee?

The published inclusions are a free pre-booking consultation, unlimited planning support before the ceremony, a personalized Love Story introduction, officiating, a Civil Marriage Statement, submission of the completed marriage registration and audio equipment for groups of at least 25 or settings with substantial ambient noise.

Does Patrick Smiley travel to Canmore or Banff?

His Fees page lists travel additions of $40 plus GST for Canmore or Kananaskis Village and $60 plus GST for Banff or the Lake Minnewanka area. Because his FAQ describes his appointment area as Cochrane and its immediate surroundings, confirm availability and eligibility for the exact venue before booking.

Does the fee include the marriage licence and official certificate?

No. Patrick’s site says the couple must obtain the marriage licence and order the official government marriage certificate separately. Two witnesses are also required.

How should couples contact Patrick Smiley?

Email psmiley@me.com and include the proposed date, time, ceremony location and expected guest count. The official officiant site does not currently publish a street address or telephone number.