Bespoke Celebrant Services.

Creating a unique and personalised, special ceremony is the goal and in order to achieve that I will call on you to provide the unique details of who you are as individuals, as a couple, and how your love for one another evolved.

Whether it be your mutual love for Star Trek or your love of black and white movies, every couple has those moments and commonalities that make life a joy when you're together.

There aren't any rules to your ceremony, so, by all means, share all your wild and crazy ideas with me. Let me know what appeals and what doesn't, what you love, and what you think just isn't right for you. In the end, you will have a ceremony just right to share with each other and your loved ones.

I'm armed with all the right questions so that you can tell me your story, which I can then mold into something amazing that culminates in the joining of two lives in the awesomeness of marriage!

The Official / Legal Requirements.

Getting married in New Zealand is a relatively easy process and the legalites around this are easy to follow and understand. Below, is how the process works:

1: Decide when and where you want to get married

You will need to know when and where you want to get married when you complete your application for a marriage licence. You should also choose an alternative venue in the event that the weather prevents you from marrying at your primary venue.

2: Choose a Marriage Celebrant

In New Zealand you must be married by an appointed marriage celebrant. This may be a Registrar of Marriages, an independent marriage celebrant, a minister of a church or a person connected with an approved organisation.

You will need to contact your marriage celebrant and agree on a time and place before applying for your marriage licence.

3: Get a Marriage Licence

To get a license you will need to complete a Notice of Intended Marriage application form online HERE!

If either of you have been married or in a civil union before, and the marriage or civil union has been dissolved, you may be asked to produce evidence of the dissolution (e.g. Divorce/Dissolution Order) when you give notice to the Registrar. If your previous spouse or partner has died you do not have to produce evidence of their death, but you will have to give the date of death on the Notice of Intended Marriage.

​The application process takes approximately 3 working days, so ensure you allow yourself plenty of time prior to the wedding to apply for your license. However, keep in mind that The Particulars of Marriage (which is the document you sign on your wedding day) is only valid for three months, before being signed. This means you should not get this process underway any earlier than three months prior to your wedding day.

4: Make a Statutory Declaration

As part of completing the application form for a marriage licence, you need to make a statutory declaration. Either you or your partner will need to make a formal statutory declaration that there is no lawful impediment to the marriage (i.e. no legal reason that you both cannot be married), that the details given are true, that the bride and groom are not within the "prohibited degrees of relationship" and that consent has been given (where relevant).

If you live in New Zealand one of you must make this declaration in the presence of a Registrar of Marriages.

Legal Requirements for the Ceremony.

It is the couple’s responsibility to organise the marriage license – easily done online through the link above – and the celebrant’s responsibility to return the license to the Registrar of Births, Deaths & Marriages after the ceremony and signing of the license.

• The formal identification of the people named on the Marriage or Civil Union License. This can be done before the wedding with some form of ID like a passport or Drivers License.

• The full names of the people– as they appear on the license – must be used at some point in the ceremony to clearly identify them. Abbreviations and nicknames may then be used in other parts of the ceremony.

• The ceremony must be solemnised at a place described on the license and by an approved celebrant and before at least two other witnesses. Under the Marriage Act, a marriage cannot occur virtually.

• During a marriage ceremony, the couple must exchange marriage vows. That is each person must say the words, “I AB, take you CD, to be my legal wife/husband/partner” to each other– or words to similar effect.

• Whether a marriage or a civil union, each party should say the words to each other rather than answering a question asked by the celebrant.

• The registration papers must be signed by the couple, the celebrant and the two witnesses immediately after the ceremony, and must be returned by the celebrant to Births, Deaths and Marriages within 10 calendar days.

What You Are Paying For?

• We will have an initial meeting either face to face or via a video call or the telephone.

• Depending upon your needs I can assist with organising the necessary paperwork, writing personal vows, organising flowers, cakes, celebratory drinks, transport, venue hire, and even make suggestions about readings.

• My aim is to support you through the process to ensure that your day is a stress-free and enjoyable experience, whether small and intimate or grand and opulent.

• I will prepare a personalised bespoke ceremony in consultation with you, where we will discuss your desired style and content.

• I will support you via telephone or email in the run-up to your ceremony.

• We will hold a final rehearsal of the ceremony (if desired, as these are really only necessary for large weddings) prior to your actual ceremony.

• I will travel to your ceremony location and give my time on the day to officiate your wedding. I will arrive in plenty of time before the ceremony to ensure that things are in order, and you are relaxed and ready to enjoy the big event.

​WHAT DOES YOUR CHARGE COVER?

• Obligation-free meeting

• All my Prices are Inclusive of GST

• Transparency - with a detailed contract

• Regular meetings, in-person or via phone and email

• Comprehensive wedding package i.e. resources, legal guidance

• Creative Bespoke Ceremony Design for your approval

• Culturally mindful

• Deliver ceremony with Respect, Sincerity, and Authenticity

• Your bespoke ceremony approved before the BIG DAY

• Comprehensive Rehearsal Run Notes (Optional but Recommended)

• I only officiate one ceremony per day

WHAT IS NOT COVERED BY YOUR FEE?

• ​The cost of the New Zealand Marriage License is NOT covered by my fee. Currently, the cost is NZ$150 and I am more than happy to help you with the application process. You will also be able to purchase your marriage certificate when applying for the license (which I recommend doing) and that is currently $33 per certificate.

• Additional travel and accommodation (if necessary) if the wedding is outside of the Auckland region.

• I also have a portable PA system that I can provide for your ceremony. Depending on circumstances this may incur a small additional charge.

Pricing

• My starting price is $400.00​​ for a basic ceremony.

• Prices will vary for each wedding depending on where it is, the number of guests, and how much involvement you want from me.

• Contact me today for a free quote.

• I am available throughout New Zealand and I am based in Auckland. Traveling throughout New Zealand, beyond Auckland, will be an added extra.