Wedding Ceremonies

So you think I could be your celebrant - what’s next?

It’s so amazing that the two of you have committed to getting married and I wish you both all the best for your future life together. Weddings are such a personal event in a couples life, so lets sit down together and talk.

• We’ll meet for an initial consultation. This can be at a place convenient to us both, a Zoom or Skype meeting, over the phone or via email. There is no charge for this initial meeting and it is obligation free.

• During this initial meeting we can discuss your ideas and I will share what I can offer you. I will also provide advice on your marriage licence application. I’m there to listen and provide support and guidance.

• I am happy to reflect the theme of your wedding and support other rituals that are important to you in a ceremony. I am supportive of the LGBT community and would be honoured to be part of your big day. The only thing I ask of each couple I work with is that they demonstrate a love and respect for one another. 

• If you are comfortable with my approach and style, you can them make a booking and provide a deposit.

So it’s a date!

Now the work starts. This is the time I get to know more about who you are as individuals, as well as couple, and how you envisage celebrating one of the most monumental events in your lives. 

What’s next?

• I’ll provide you with a resource pack that will outline the process in detail. It contains information on the legal forms you need to complete. Included in the pack will be information on examples of wedding services, vows and declarations and resource material such as examples of poems, readings, and rituals. 

• I send you a questionnaire that will assist me in creating your ceremony. It’s important at this stage for me to gather in all the important information on how you met, who you are, what’s unique about your love story.

• I arrange a meeting no more than 6 months out from your big day.  

• This is quite an in depth meeting. I will find out a lot more about your stories as this helps me to structure the ceremony best suited to what you both want. We go into detail about the vows, the stories and if you want any special rituals introduced into your ceremony. 

• After the meeting I prepare your wedding service ensuring it meets your needs and all the legal requirements of a wedding ceremony. 

• You will receive a draft ceremony from me after this meeting. Once you are both happy with this ceremony, I will finalise the writing up of it. It's your special day, so let’s make sure it reflects your thoughts and feelings as a couple, who are about to embark on the journey of your lives.

• Rehearsals are recommended, preferably at your wedding venue. At the rehearsal I will guide you through the ceremony, and we will go through who stands where. It will also provide those who will be playing a significant role in your ceremony, time to feel comfortable and confident with what they are required to do.

• I will ask you to organise your wedding certificate ahead of time and have 2 witnesses present to sign the marriage register and a designated person to receive a copy of the signed paperwork. Click here to find out how to obtain a marriage licence and other information about getting married in New Zealand. 

Its your big day!

How exciting that your about to spend the rest of your life with this special person. So lets get you both married.

• I arrive well ahead of time, ensuring any last minute details are taken care of.

• After I have performed your ceremony, I will complete all the documentation, managing the registration and legal processes as required in my role as Celebrant. I then will return the signed marriage certificate to the Marriage Registrar.     

• Then you and your loved one can continue to celebrate your day and have an amazing time with your friends and family. 

• After a couple of weeks I will send you an email to see how you are enjoying your new married life together. If you feel able, it would then be great if you would send me a testimonial (a picture also would be fabulous). This then will help other future couples in deciding if I could also be their celebrant, but will also give me something to put into my wedding memory scrapbook.

Helping Hand

As stated in my wedding price list, I can offer a ” Helping Hand” component to your wedding. Now this can be as little or as much as you both feel you may need, to ensure that your day is so memorable that you’ll be recalling it over a cup of tea when you are in your 80’s!  

So, if you feel you’d like me to play an extended role on the day, then let’s sit together and plan how I can be there for you both.