FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
Can you incorporate our language in to your ceremony?
I can. I am proficient in Te Reo Māori, and have weaved French and German through ceremonies over the years. Usually, I draft up the ceremony early, so my clients can translate what they want into their chosen language, and then they send through voice messages for me to listen to, whilst at the same time learning the fundamentals of the language. If it is 2-3 short phrases, I’ll need around 3 or 4 weeks to refine pronunciation; if it’s more than 10, I’d appreciate a couple of months to practice.
Will you dress up for the job?
Generally, I wear modest dresses in neutral or pastel colours and flat sandals to events. I am very happy to dress in theme such as Rockabilly or Steam Punk. I love that shxt! I am also comfortable wearing traditional attire if this is requested by the clients.
Do you hire out your PA system for receptions?
I do, but only if I don’t have another ceremony within 2 days of the reception. I do require a refundable bond + fee to secure the PA system. It is important to advise that my system is great for outdoor use, but inside if the acoustics aren’t ideal, the sound can come across quite soft with a slight hollow-echo.
Do we get a discount on services if we don’t want a rehearsal?
It depends on the circumstances. As part of the package, and my holistic service of meeting the bridal party and family before the big day, I strongly recommend a rehearsal. However, if there are travel constraints or health constraints then I would consider a discount.
What if we don’t want the label?
That’s okay if you don’t want the label of ‘Husband’ ‘Wife’ or whatever. You can opt for a Commitment Ceremony, celebrating your love without any legalities or formal labels attached. Alternatively, you can opt for a Civil Union, which I am authorised to officiate. If you want to be legally married, but not introduced as ‘Husband’ ‘Wife’ or whatever, we can come up with an alternative no problem.
We need to be able to use our documents overseas, what will we need?
Depending on the country you need to use your Marriage Certificate in, you’ll either need an Apostille or an Authentication seal. I can walk you through this process closer to the time but in the meantime, please check out the NZ Government website for more information.
When will we receive our Marriage Certificate?
I can’t say how many business days or anything like that, but if you pre-pay your Marriage Certificate when you apply for your Marriage Licence, you’ll get it in time. If you don’t pre-pay, you can order at any time on the NZ Government portal.
Help! We haven’t applied for our documents on time!
Couples who intend to marry must give Births, Deaths and Marriages at least 3 working days notice. This is for verification and processing time, and time for couples to ensure their positions. Honestly, unless you have an exceptional reason that can be backed up with evidence, Births, Deaths and Marriages are unlikely to grant a waiver – and that’s even with me going in to bat for you. That in mind, once received, the marriage documents are valid for 3 months, so hopefully a workaround could be in order.
Will you judge why we are getting married?
Nah. My responsibility is to solemnise marriages in accordance with New Zealand Law, not to investigate peoples’ personal motivations. If you hold a valid Marriage Licence and there is no legal impediment to your marriage, I’m here to help you create a ceremony that reflects who you are.
The one exception is safety. If, during our conversations I become concerned that someone is being coerced, does not freely consent or may be in an unsafe situation, I will pause the process and have a private conversation. Srsly though, everyone deserves to enter marriage freely, safely and of their own choice.
