Design your own ceremony or a bespoke ceremony can be created to suit your individual needs. 

You and your celebrant

Listening isn't just important it's critical; so as your celebrant my first priority is to sit down and listen to what you're thinking and planning, from there we can discuss the type of ceremony that meets your needs.

Are you for example wanting a traditional ceremony or would you prefer a personalised ceremony written and designed specifically for you? Does your wedding have a theme? who is taking part and do you want any special touches like a unity candle or perhaps handfasting ceremony? - all the options are considered and discussed in a relaxed and informative manner. 

The first meeting is also a chance for you to size me up - it's o.k. you can choose somebody else! 

Wedding ceremony structure

The following shows many of the structural elements found in wedding services, both religious and non religious. 

A personalised ceremony weaves your own love story, hopes and personal beliefs through the service itself, creating a bespoke ceremony and theme.

Note: example below is not a wedding ceremony - rather some of the key elements you should expect along with your own personal words and story.
  • Opening words

     ----and----you have come here today to celebrate your love for one another.This is one of life's great moments, as you commit to a shared future together based on mutual love, respect and caring. It's a joyous occasion and we are privileged to be here supporting that decision.

  • Readings

    Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.  A good marriage must be created.  In the Art of Marriage:  The little things are the big things.  It is never being too old to hold hands.  It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.  It is never going to sleep angry.  It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years.  It is having mutual sense of values and common objectives.  It is standing together facing the world. 

  • Consents

    (Groom) do you take (Bride) as your wife 


    Will you be honest with her, sharing both good times and bad, treating her with respect and kindness, sharing both friendship and love.


    (Groom) I  will.


    (Bride ) do you take (Groom) as your husband 


    Will you be honest with him, sharing both good times and bad, treating him with respect and kindness, sharing both friendship and love.


    (Bride) I  will.


    And will you------and------family and friends give your blessing to this marriage, offering your support and encouragement over the years to come?


    (Gathering) We will. 

  • Marriage vows

    ------, Before these witnesses I take you be my wife. I will love and care for you always, offering the best of myself, sharing both my laughter and tears, I will be your best friend and supporter today, tomorrow and forever.


    ------, Before these witnesses I take you be my husband. I will love and care for you always, offering best of myself, sharing both my laughter and tears, I will be your best friend and supporter today, tomorrow and forever. 

  • Ring explanation

    The wedding ring is a symbol of life and commitment, an unbroken circle that speaks of eternity. The precious metals purified by fire, represent your enduring love and one life together.

  • Ring exchange

    (Groom) I give you this ring as a token of my love and devotion.   


    (Bride) I accept this ring as a symbol of our love and life together. 

  • Pronouncement

    ------and------We have all witnessed the exchange of your vows, you have made promises to each other, exchanging rings and pledging your love.  I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride.

  • Musical interlude

    (Signing marriage documents)

  • Presentation and blessing
    Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasize this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.
There are a number of elements which can be added to a basic wedding ceremony to add significance and meaning these range from lighting candles to hand fasting - an example is included below.
  • Simple handfasting ceremony

    ------ and ------we now symbolically tie a knot in the fabric of your lives.


    (celebrant places fabric or cord around the Bride and grooms hands or wrists)   


    This is a binding not just of hands but of hearts, futures and dreams.


    This material like our lives is made up of many different fibres and strands. But when combined they make something not only of great complexity but enduring beauty and strength.


    ------ and ------may your love for one another enfold and protect you from this day forward.

Wedding Fees

I think it's useful to remember that the ceremony is at the very heart of what you're doing and usually a mere fraction of the overall cost of a wedding, as a professional broadcaster and storyteller I believe tone, style and delivery matter.

My standard fee is $600 plus gst this includes two meetings prior to the ceremony with a couples' rehearsal, a range of choices for designing and delivering your marriage ceremony and of course performance and professionalism you can trust on your wedding day.

The time involved in most wedding ceremonies is usually eight or more hours, which is broken down into meetings, writing the ceremony, travel, a rehearsal and the wedding day itself.


Contact us about your special day

Wedding Enquiry

Useful Links

Celebrant Listings
www.celebranz.org.nz

Legal Requirements
www.bdm.govt.nz