FAQ

What is a NZ Celebrant?

In New Zealand, a registered celebrant is a person who performs formal and legal ceremonies, and whilst commonly seen at weddings or civil unions, they can also conduct other non legal services like renewal of vows, coming of age, baby naming, retirements and funeral or life celebrations.

How soon should I apply for my Marriage Licence?

You should apply for your Marriage Licence at least three working days before you get married. Otherwise, you may not receive your licence in time. This Licence is valid for 3 months, and you can get married any time within this 3-month period.

How do I apply for my Marriage Licence?

You will need to apply online at Births Deaths and Marriages; this costs $150 and is a non-refundable fee paid to the government. Please note this is at an extra cost to you and is not included in my celebrant fee. I also recommend that you pre-order your marriage certificate at the same time.

I've applied for my Marriage Licence, what's next?

Once your application is processed and approved, you'll receive two identical documents: a BDM45 and BDM45a. These are the Copy of Particulars to Marriage, which must be signed on your wedding day by you, your two witnesses, and your celebrant. After the ceremony, you'll keep one copy and, as your celebrant, I'll send the other to Births, Deaths, and Marriages to officially register your marriage. You'll also receive a BDM10 which is your Marriage Licence. This is the document that allows me to legally wed you.

My Marriage Licence has lapsed, what can I do?

If the 3-month period expires and you need to postpone your wedding for any reason, you'll have to apply for a new licence and pay the fee again. With this time frame in mind, there's no need to rush to obtain your licence early on.

Do you charge a booking fee?

Yes I do! If you decide to book me as your celebrant, a non-refundable deposit (50% of the total due) is required to lock in your dates. The remaining balance is due two weeks prior to the ceremony.

What happens if we need to change the date or cancel?

I totally get that life can throw unexpected challenges your way! If you need to reschedule due to circumstances beyond your control, I’ll do my best to accommodate the change. If I’m unavailable on the new date, I’d be happy to help you find another amazing officiant to take my place. If you choose to cancel, please note that the booking fee is non-refundable.

What does the rehearsal cover?

I highly recommend doing a rehearsal before your big day! It’s a great chance to go over all the important details, and it’ll leave you feeling confident and prepared. The rehearsal typically involves a full run-through of the ceremony and takes about 30 - 45 minutes, though I suggest allowing an hour just to be safe. Here’s what we’ll cover during the rehearsal:

The order of service
Who will be involved and their roles to ensure everything goes smoothly
Where everyone will stand
A practice run of the ceremony with your chosen music (we can go through this a few times so you feel comfortable with the timing)
A final chat to make sure you’re feeling happy, confident, and stress-free!