ESTEVAN - As Carmella Bucklun thinks back on her 15 years as a marriage commissioner, it brings a smile to her face as she remembers the weddings she has attended.
Bucklun was born and raised in Macoun but has lived in Estevan for the past eight years with her husband Corey Bucklun and her son Sebastian Mack. They also have two daughters Taylor Bucklun and TaMaira Crawford. She attended the Estevan Comprehensive School and has been involved in many community activities throughout her life.
“I work at the high school as the administrator assistant and each of the kids there I call mine, and I love them all desperately,” said Bucklun.
She became a marriage commissioner when a friend was getting married and the marriage commissioner at the time cancelled due to illness. Bucklun jokingly stated that it could not be that hard to do this job. There were no marriage commissioners in the area, and other people had suggested she go for it.
Bucklun began the process with filling out an application form, which included her basic information such as name, address, phone number and email address. A criminal record check was needed, along with three letters from people of Bucklun’s community. Bucklun was shocked to see how simple it was.
Four months later she was a marriage commissioner, and she has loved it ever since. It was great timing as she was pregnant at the time, and she needed an outlet.
“It has been an amazing experience,” she said. “I have had the honour of marrying my friends, their friends, some family, and just all-around people who have become my friends.”
Bucklun can only marry people in Saskatchewan and if she goes out of province, she needs to purchase another licence to do so. This licence is only good for the day and one wedding.
During the ceremony she may not add religion. If the couple wishes to have this part of the service, family or friends take care of it.
To get wedded by a marriage commissioner, one only needs a marriage licence and two witnesses over the age of 18 that are not immediately related to the couple.
Once they have this in place, Bucklun meets up with the couple and asks them what they expect. Many commissioners do not do this, but Bucklun feels it is an important part of the wedding.
“I love the whole process, by meeting friends and family and being a true part of their day,” said Bucklun.
If they want a rehearsal, she shows up for that as well and arrives half an hour before the wedding begins. She also writes a personalized script for each wedding.
“I try and make it a special moment in their day, not just I do’s and sign on the dotted line,” Bucklun said.
Over the years, she has married over 300 couples, and they bring many memories to her.
Bucklun said some people have trouble planning and do not have a back-up option when the weather goes bad. She has finished weddings in a thunderstorm or in the middle of a snowbank, only because they needed to get married in that spot.
She was a surprise in the middle of other functions, travelled hours for a wedding, only for the couple to forget their marriage licence.
“I have a few favourite weddings; one was around a kitchen table, and it was just so relaxed and fun,” she said. “And the others are the ones who are not prepared.”
Her first wedding the couple forgot the music, and the group became frustrated and yelling at each other. She felt much better about what she was going to do.
Her biggest fear is messing up the names, and so far, she has done okay.
She is always happy to be part of a couple’s special day and is honoured when they ask her.
