Bespoke Personalised Traditional Style

Give me a phone call or an email, so we can touch base, see if dates suit, and if you feel I could be someone you would want to work with.  Then we should have an informal meeting, go through your ideas and make a rough plan of your day. I have a wealth of knowledge and experience and you will go away from that meeting feeling you know what needs to be done and when to do it.

I will only ever take one traditional wedding booking a day, so that there will be no time conflicts, overlaps or pressures. Should something unforeseen happen on your day I can then be flexible and go with the flow. The last thing you need is the stress of time pressure from someone with other appointments to attend.

At no time are you obligated to make a booking with me. It has to be right for both of you. I can give you recommendations of an alternative celebrant who may suit you better. I will be able to help you with ideas, give you a selection of vows, messages, promises… to aid your wording. I will also write ’Your Story’ for ’Your Day’. From the booking time until your big day we can exchange emails, phone calls, texts and meetings for suggestions and planning.

I would definitely want to have a rehearsal the week leading up to your wedding where as many of the wedding party as possible would be in attendance. This helps all of us to know what to expect, and ask questions and just see if the logistics in your mind will actually work on the day.  I like to be very well prepared! 

My charge for the complete wedding package is NZ$650, plus mileage for weddings outside the greater Christchurch or Selwyn districts.

This includes my Sound System (which would cost you up to $150 to hire) and my sidekick to run it and play the music.  This is a ‘free’ added extra, but due to his work commitments, he is not always guaranteed.

A non-refundable deposit of 50% is required to confirm your booking, with balance being payable two weeks prior to the date of your wedding.

Registry Weddings

I have been appointed by Births, Deaths and Marriages to conduct Registry ceremonies. These can only be performed Monday to Friday and not on public holidays, or between Christmas and New Year. It needs to be between 8.30am and 5.00pm. These can be done at a venue of your choice within reasonable travelling distance from my home in Lincoln, recommended maximum of 15 kilometres.  Bookings cannot be made before the Marriage Licence is applied for, and to be within a three month period.

This is a basic ceremony, with no prior meetings. The script, vows and wording is standardised by Births, Deaths and Marriages. No changes are allowed to be made. You are only able to have a maximum of 10 guests. No music, readings or personal vows are allowed. It is to mimic as close as possible to a wedding that used to be held in the BDM offices. It is in no way a cheap alternative for personal wedding. I will arrive 5 minutes prior to the time booked and will allow half an hour. The cost is NZ$90, this it to be paid direct to me prior to your ceremony. 

You are not allowed to use a specific wedding venue, a official photographer, have a MC or a wedding planner. Plus no music and giving away is permitted.

If I turn up and any of these conditions have been ignored or ‘stretched’ – I could be acting unlawful to continue with the ceremony. Registry Celebrants are required to walk away and no refund will be given.

No Frills / Budget Wedding

This is a combination of the above two styles, where you pick and choose what you want included.  You start with the basic cost for a Registry Wedding of $90, then add the upgrades you require:

• For a Weekend or Public Holiday – plus $50.
• My cordless Bluetooth Microphone and Speaker – plus $100, which my husband does the ceremony music – when he is available.
• A Rehearsal – plus $50.
• One face to face Meeting of up to two hours – plus $50.
• Amended Standardised Script, depending on how many changes you require, personal vows, guests input, this could be – plus $50-150.
• ‘Your Story’ told. This requires another two-hour face to face meeting, writing a draft, communications back and forth, and presentation – plus $150-200.

This option will allow you to personalize your service, with options of:

Having more guests, a photographer, music, a standardised but much nicer script for the ceremony, personalised vows, being given away, wedding party (best-man, bridesmaids etc.), a zoom link provided by yourself, and you can use any venue you wish too.