your journey with me

  1. You reach out to me, either via the contact form or email, and book me in or we arrange to have a Zoom chat to make sure we vibe! We discuss what you are after, and fees.
  2. I confirm your date and send you an invoice to save it - a non-refundable deposit of $300 NZD is due now.
  3. 3-4 months from the wedding day, we meet up to start work - either on line or in person. You share your story and I get to you know you, and we talk about what elements your ceremony could include. There are very few rules for designing your ceremony!
  4. After this initial meeting I will send you an invite to the locked 'COUPLES' pages of my website, which contains loads of information about things to think about, writing vows, and some questionnaires for you to fill in. This is how I flesh out your story and we confirm certain elements, and it is ideal if I can have this filled in 4 weeks out from your wedding day, if there is that much time. If not, that is OK too!
  5. 4 weeks from your wedding day the balance of the invoice is due. If I am also MC, then we will start to work on how the evening will run!
  6. 3 weeks from your wedding day  you order your marriage license online. This is very easy and costs $150. It is emailed to you, and then you can forward it to me to print and bring on the day. These are valid for 3 months. They usually only take 3 days to arrive, but 3 weeks gives us plenty of time up our sleeve!
  7. 2 weeks from your wedding day we need to be thinking about your vows. You are welcome to use any of the examples I have sent through, or, if you are brave enough it is really special to write your own. I am here to help you very step of the way!
  8. 1 week - 1 day from your wedding day - we rehearse! I will meet you (preferably, but not essentially) at the venue to run through the shape of the ceremony, and practise your entrance and exits. If you are having a bridal party/walking down the aisle with someone, it is wonderful if they can be here too, as well as who ever is playing your music. 
  9. The big day! I arrive at least half an hour before the ceremony is due to start and liaise with all your other vendors to discuss photos/video options and sound, entrance and music cues, test the mic, and make sure everything is set up perfectly for your ceremony. Once you are down the aisle with me I guide you through absolutely everything so you don't need to remember a thing! You just need to relax into this amazing moment with your love and have fun as we celebrate you both, together! After the ceremony I leave a copy of the marriage documents with you and send the other to the government for processing. Then, once I congratulate you I slip away, unless of course I am also MC then I will be there for the rest of the day/night and usually my next task up will be to raise a toast and then coordinate your photos!
Picture

why choose an experienced waiheke celebrant?

Even though the wedding ceremony is the reason for the day, the celebrant is often overlooked as couples are excited for the party afterwards. But the ceremony does not have to be boring! It should be fun and filled with laughter and love, and set the tone for the rest of the day.
​ A professional celebrant can tell your story as it deserves to be told - they can confidently craft your ceremony and hold the ceremonial space. I have trained at the NZ Celebrant School and I am also a trained and experienced actress, with 20 years experience in the film and television industry. I have also been doing this celebrant work for over 12 years, so you will be in safe hands! I am definitely not the cheapest celebrant around but I strongly believe you get what you pay for and I love this work and am extremely proud of it. Let's chat about your Waiheke Wedding!