Laura Hartley (she/her)
I am a queer, feminist, facilitator, activist, artist, educator, community builder and ceremonialist. I am licensed to perform marriages in Ontario, Canada.
This work is an important part of my heart song, my calling to support individuals, couples, families, communities to mark important life moments in ways that are meaningful, heartfelt and that create a sense of belonging and connection.
My Love of Ceremony
I have always had a strong connection to ceremony and ritual in my life. Growing up in my family, celebrating birthdays were special moments that came with the ritual of making a toast. This act of articulating our love and gratitude for each other was a simple but powerful ritual and it helped inspire my love of leading ceremony.
When my partner and I decided we wanted to have a celebration of our love and commitment, we knew we didn’t want a traditional wedding. So we embarked on a journey of dreaming and visioning a ceremony that reflected our values and that felt authentic and unique to our partnership.
Two Hearts was born and it was a magical weekend in the woods full of meaning, community, love, and connection. There was a campfire singalong, canoe entrances, an exchange of vows, and a drumming parade! It crystallized my desire to support others in honouring their own life milestones, transitions and rites of passage in ways that felt equally meaningful to them.
This is the invitation I created for our commitment ceremony. Let’s discuss how I can create unique touches like this that personalize and add meaning to your special occasions!
My Approach and Commitment to Inclusivity
The best part of this work is creating a connection with the people I work with.
I have a warm, empathic approach and aim to make folks feel welcome, safe, and affirmed in our work together. I am committed to social justice and working from an anti-racist, anti-oppression, feminist framework. I welcome working with individuals from all backgrounds, races, religions, cultures, ethnicities, abilities, gender identities and sexualities. I am a proud member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and am honoured to support fellow community members.
My Passions and Experience
I have worked as a teacher and in various roles in the gender-based violence sector including as a front-line counsellor/advocate, public educator, shelter manager and program director. I love writing and public speaking and am a passionate activist and community organizer.
I have a lifelong love of music and I sing and play guitar in a band. I find a great sense of connection and peace in nature. I love being outside, camping, hiking, gardening and celebrating my own spirituality through honouring the cycles of the seasons. This work allows me to offer my skills in bringing community together to create a sense of connection, meaning and belonging.
Let’s connect so I can learn about your story and help create a customized ceremony that honours you!
