FAQs
General questions
How far do I travel?
I can travel as far as you’d like! Complimentary travel is included with all packages in the Auckland area. Any ferry tickets to islands like Waiheke, etc will come at an additional cost.
All ceremonies outside Auckland in wider New Zealand are all possible, with the addition of travel & accommodation costs.
What is your process?
This will differ per service/package but here is an example of a typical wedding ceremony:
Initial complimentary chat to see if I’m your vibe!
Booking confirmed & deposit taken
Resources sent out
Consultation (ideally in person!) where I learn all about you, your relationship & the big day.
Couples Questionnaire sent - this gives me all the details about you and helps to confirm what we’ve talked about.
I begin writing your ceremony!
Vow, Reading & music confirmed. At this point I can assist with vow writing if you’d like it.
Confirm final script & details - drafts sent back and forth beforehand…or you can keep it a surprise if you’d prefer!
Rehearsal - super important if you have a large wedding party or lots of logistics.
Wedding Day!
How does payment work?
All dates are secured once I receive a 25% deposit or payment in full. We can discuss further if an alternative payment plans is needed.
Changes to packages?
Want to elope but need a rehearsal or multiple consultations? Any of my packages can allow for add-ons. Just let me know what you’re thinking and we can confirm the additional cost.
We live overseas- can we get married in NZ?
Absolutely! I can’t think of somewhere more beautiful to have a destination wedding or elopement. Applications can generally still be all done online making the process straightforward! It’s worth checking if you need an apostille for your marriage to be recognised in your country. Find out more info here
Marriage & Civil Unions
How is a Civil Union different to Marriage?
A Civil Union is a legally recognised relationship similar to Marriage. Civil Unions were popular options for same-sex couples before the Marriage Act was updated in 2013, but anyone can be in a Civil Union. Some countries may not recognise New Zealand Civil Unions, so make sure you do your research.
The application process to get a Civil Union licence in NZ is different to Marriage. You have to apply on paper rather than online.
Find out more about Civil Unions and getting your licence here
How do we get our Marriage Licence?
It costs $150 for a Marriage Licence & $33 for a Marriage Certificate.
Couples need to apply for their licence on their own- I cannot do this step for you. The good news is its super easy!
You can apply for your licence as far out as 3 months before your intended date. It only takes 3 working days to receive your licence…so plenty of options if you did want to have an impulsive wedding! Most applications can be processed online here
Once you’ve applied for your licence it can be emailed straight to me and I will bring all the paperwork with me on the day.
After your ceremony I’ll send your signed paperwork over to Births, Deaths & Marriages
What’s the difference between a Registry & Personalised ceremony?
There are two options when it comes to applying for you licence. Registry weddings can only take place Monday- Friday 9-5pm. The script and vows are pre-written and must take place within 10km of the celebrant’s home for a set fee. They are limited to 10 guests. I currently do not offer Registry weddings.
Personalised weddings can take place anywhere, anytime and allow for full personalisation of the script.
Legal requirements in the ceremony?
There are a few key elements I have to include to make your ceremony legal in a personalised wedding.
Two witnesses must be present. They can be anyone from anywhere, as long as they understand the language and can give a testimony for your marriage.
Your full names must be spoken ( by me or yourselves)
Some iteration of this declaration must be included
“I ____take you___to be my legal partner/husband/wife”.
That’s it! The rest is entirely up to you!
Do we have to write our vows?
The short answer is of course not! I can supply you with some pre-written vows for the day.
But, I will strongly suggest writing your vows! While it may seem daunting to publicly expose your feelings, vows are one of the most special parts of your wedding day. These are the words that will marry you, so it’s a wonderful chance to express yourself to your partner.
I will be able to help guide your writing and I promise that no matter how scary it seems, personal vows will be a highlight of your day!