FAQ

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Planning your wedding can feel overwhelming, but I’m here to make the process as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Check out the answers to some of the most common questions I receive about my ceremony services, planning process, and more. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to reach out – I’m here to help!

  • The sooner the better! To ensure your preferred celebrant is available for the date and time of your wedding, you should be booking your celebrant at the same time you book your other vendors. December, January, February and March are all popular months, and some couples book 2-3 years in advance.

  • I offer personalised, registry style, commitment, and vow renewal ceremonies.

  • Two witnesses to the ceremony must sign the paperwork. These witnesses must not be intoxicated, must be sound of mind, and must understand what is happening. If you choose to have children as witnesses, they must be old enough to understand the ceremony, and explain their understanding in court if required.

  • According to the New Zealand Marriage Act 1995, this is a legal requirement. Some couples find this clunky and unromantic, however this does not need to be said during your personalised vows. It is important for your celebrant, both witnesses, and your partner can hear you say it. Some couples prefer to say this during the signing of the paperwork.

  • Regardless of what last name you are going to use after the ceremony, you must sign with your maiden name (the one that is on the marriage license application)

  • Of course! However, according to the New Zealand Marriage Act 1995, the celebrant must use the full legal names of the couple at least once during the ceremony.

  • Only registered marriage celebrants can solomise marriages in New Zealand. If you want any friends or family members to be part of the ceremony, having them do a reading or a poem is a nice way to include them.

  • According to the New Zealand Marriage Act 1995, the minimum age is 16 years old. 

  • Usually, you don’t need to do anything special if you want to change your name after you are married in New Zealand. You can keep your last name, take your partner's name, or use a combination of both your last names (either with a hyphen or space in between). The New Zealand Government website has more information on this.

  • A registry ceremony has standard vows, and must occur between 9am and 5pm on a weekday, excluding public holidays. I am not a registry celebrant, however I do offer registry-style ceremonies.

  • Some celebrants will offer a registry style ceremony, where you can pick from one or more standard, non-personalised ceremonies, with standard and non-personalised vows. These are often shorter than a personalised ceremony and have a limit of guest numbers.

  • You can apply for your marriage license online at the New Zealand Government website. Licenses take 3 working days to arrive, and expire after three months. The cost of the license is in addition to any fee’s the celebrant may charge.

  • Unfortunately at this stage I am not registered to solomise Civil Unions

  • No.

  • You should have received two copies of the ‘Copy of Particulars of Marriage’. These must be checked and given to the celebrant prior to the ceremony. When applying for this paperwork, there is the option to send these documents directly to the celebrant.

  • Currently this is not possible in New Zealand. The couple, celebrant, and witnesses must be physically present, in the same place.

  • Provided all the legal aspects are covered, your ceremony can be as long (or as short) as you want it. Many personalised ceremonies range from 20-30 minutes.

  • Of course! This is your special day. If there is something in particular you would like, that requires different knowledge or skills, you may prefer to choose a celebrant that has experience in those customs.

  • I would always recommend a rehearsal prior to your ceremony, even if you are unable to access the venue. It is important to figure out where to stand when, and if you have music included, getting the timing right.