What you need to know about registry ceremonies

Written By Kim Manunui

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.

Some I’ve listed below or you can email me lianne@taupocelebrant.co.nz or click the link below, for the comprehensive information sheet developed by Celebrants Aotearoa which gives the terms and conditions of a registry ceremony.

  • The registry ceremony can only happen Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm (excluding public holidays and the Christmas/New Year holiday period) and the ceremony itself is standardised to meet the legal requirements of getting married; the vows are also standardised. It takes between 15-20 minutes. Short and sweet!

  • A maximum of ten guests are allowed (including witnesses), you can’t book more than three months in advance and the set fee must be paid to your celebrant in advance. By the way, the marriage licence is separate to the celebrant fee, and you need to allow at least three working days for the licence application to be processed. This can take longer at busy times of the year. www.govt.nz/browse/family-and-whanau/getting-married/get-a-marriage-licence/

  • It’s up to the couple to arrange a venue and their two witnesses – you’re also responsible for paying any location costs – e.g. a council fee if the ceremony is held in a park. A registry ceremony can’t happen at a wedding venue, function centre, hotel or restaurant.

  • Professional photographers, videographers, wedding planners, MCs aren’t allowed to be part of the ceremony, and your registry wedding can’t include bridesmaids or groomsmen.

Click here for the full list of terms and conditions for a registry wedding.

If this all sounds a bit constrained then consider a personalised ceremony – independent celebrants will work with you to deliver the ceremony you want, creating it to suit your personality, culture and style. This is something I love to do!

Kim Manunui

Hi, I’m Kim and I work with a great team to help individuals, as well as small and not so small businesses get their message, product and services to the world using digital media and creating wonderful websites that don’t cost the earth.

I was born in Canada, and grew up around Vancouver and the mountains of British Columbia. My love of pristine environments led me to New Zealand and eventually to the mountains, lakes and rivers of the central North Island which is home. My family’s heritage is here, and it’s from here that Korio traverses the planet.

The digital world is never static and neither are we.

And I say ‘we’ because I work with an awesome group of talented people who I gather together as required to complete a project.  Whatever your business, not-for-profit or individual needs are we gather the best team to get the job done.

Collaboratively we are creative, share sustainable values and work hard for great outcomes because that’s the buzz of satisfaction that drives us.

If you have an audience and market to reach, we can make that happen. Creative design, words that work and smart behind the scenes stuff that cuts through the online noise. We’ll design your website and then build it. We’ll manage the content as well as all your hosting needs. We can handle your online advertising so you get noticed,
and we’ll manage your social media presence so you get the clicks, likes and engagement to grow your business. All within the budget you set, because none of this needs to cost the earth.  And the job doesn’t stop when your website goes live. We are your virtual business partner.

https://www.korio.co.nz
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My journey to becoming a celebrant