CELEBRANT & MC
Paradise is created with two people united by one dream; their desire to have their love celebrated in a once in a lifetime experience special to who they really are and in an extraordinarily beautiful location.
Welcome, my name is Terri and I am an independent New Zealand registered celebrant and available to walk you through your ceremony adventure. New Zealand boasts it has one of the easiest wedding protocols in the world, welcoming couples of all nationality and orientation to freely create their own dream celebration that truly reflect their personal story.
Below are some commonly asked questions to help you with your decision moving forward and two celebrant options available, (Marble & Crystal) however I am very flexible to work with new ideas or combinations. I also offer a master of ceremonies service, (MC) which supports you throughout your event but has no legal aspect. The celebrant and MC service can be combined.
You will also find we have lots of ceremony locations, venue associates and a planning service available to make life a whole lot easier.
Q&A
What is a NZ Celebrant?
In New Zealand, simply put a licensed 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. A registered celebrant is delighted to officiate at a same sex ceremony .
What is your style?
My style of ceremony is your style, google has sent you here because you asked to be, through your google search. That is what it does well.
I create premium and well designed wedding and elopement packages that are easy to personalize to each beautiful couple or offer a customized service unique to you. We perform these events in epic Nelson & Tasman wilderness locations from mountain tops to the water edge. Our passion is the environment and we reflect our styling and story telling in respect of that. We are more bare foot and flax than heels and glitz.
Can we write our own official vows?
You can write your own official vows but there is a criteria that must be met. There are two types; ones that you speak directly to your partner or the other where the celebrant will ask the questions of you.
Your personal vows however are very much celebrated and there are no rules, they can be serious, funny, sung or even in your native tongue or sign language, even a love note for example and hidden in a box. This will all be explained during your consultations and planning meetings.
Where can we get married?
In New Zealand the rules are very relaxed. It is the celebrant who is licensed, not the venue or location. As long as the location can be clearly described or has an address or even a GPS point, then you can legally get married at that location. We have an abundance of all year round wedding locations and Plan B venues available. We hold Doc permits.
Can we hold a virtual wedding?
Under current legislation, a legal marriage or civil union ceremony can’t occur virtually, via video conferencing software, for example, Zoom or skype. The couple, celebrant and witnesses must be physically present in the same place and time. However we can suggest a commitment ceremony, which offers everything but the legal aspect, which can be done later in a less formal setting.
How do we obtain the license?
Couples must apply on line directly for the Particulars of Marriage (License X 2) and each country has its own rules, so you must do your own due-diligence.
What are the rules?
Once again New Zealand is pretty relaxed in its expectations, however the exchange of promises is the main element required for a marriage, The couple's declaration of intent, constitutes a desire and willingness to marry the other. The couples full legal name must be spoken at least once and the celebrant must introduce themselves as the efficient for the event. This must all be done in the presence of two witnesses. There is flexibility to custom these words and further advice can be given at a free consultation if you wish to book one.
You are only limited by your own imagination when booking the Dream Maker team. Our custom designed and unique New Zealand wedding packages are at your fingertips, equally use our expertise and be your own planner.
“Terri played a big part on our special day and her ceremony script was simply beautiful, just what we imagined”