Did you know that registry wedding ceremonies are no longer officiated in your local courthouse or registry office? This role has been delegated by the Government to registered celebrants like me who are approved by Births Deaths and Marriages (BDM) to oversee registry ceremonies. If you want a registry ceremony, it’s good to know what the rules and procedures are, and there are quite a few.

I’ve been a celebrant for several years now, and during that time, I’ve had the privilege of guiding people through some of the most important moments of their lives. It wasn’t a path I initially expected, but looking back, it’s been a journey filled with purpose and connection.

Tying the knot. Your wedding is such a special event and can become even more memorable by using a ritual uniquely yours within the ceremony. This might celebrate a family tradition, join landscapes, cultures or perhaps remember people who can’t be with you on the day.

A wedding ring - a perfect circle, with no beginnings or end, a symbol of infinity and endless love.

Romance is alive and well in Aotearoa New Zealand and we have some of the world’s most stunning destination wedding locations – charming, exotic and picturesque from mountain tops to golden sand beaches.  

Choosing a marriage celebrant is just as important as every other wedding day decision.  Engaging a professional, with the right fit for you as a couple, to work alongside you and deliver the best possible ceremony, is key, after all, you want your wedding day to be memorable for all the right reasons.

Bouquets of blossoms, sheaths of wheat, garlands of ivy and herbs are culturally important symbols woven into wedding ceremonies across the centuries.  Brides have carried garlic and herbs to keep evil spirits at bay, while orange blossom and roses might bring fertility and good luck. 

Applying for a marriage licence just got a whole lot easier, which is especially good news for people wanting to marry in New Zealand, but who presently live overseas and for couples living in remoter areas here.

A wedding ceremony on Christmas Day? Well, it can be a wonderful occasion, especially when a family has gathered, the table is set, they’re ready to feast and celebrate the joy of being together. 

When it comes to considering wedding guests, the rules of engagement should be firm and set early. 

Empathy, emotional intelligence, the ability to create and hold a ceremony, together with conviction and the composure to work with bereaved families are key qualities for anyone charged to lead a funeral service. But without experience and knowledge of the individual, how can you know that have the right person for the job?

When you say ‘I Do’ – which, in a marriage ceremony is always the right answer by the way – it’s good to know that your celebrant is professional, competent and will create and deliver the best possible ceremony that is uniquely yours.