A registry ceremony is a wedding ceremony that covers all the legal requirements of a marriage. It is non-customisable, and has the script and vows provided by the government. These ceremonies are capped at 10 guests, must be performed on a weekday, and within 10km of the Celebrant’s home address in a public space. Fees payable to the celebrant are capped at $90. They can take less than 10 minutes to perform and are perfect for couples who are budget conscious. Full details can be found on the Births Deaths and Marriages website. Only Validated Celebrants can perform a registry ceremony.

A Celebrant appointed by the Director-General of Births Deaths and Marriages is the only person who is legally allowed to solemnise marriages in New Zealand. This can either be an Independent Celebrant, or an Organisational Celebrant (i.e. a Priest).

Yes! Of course! They’re able to performs songs or dances, give readings or anything else to contribute to your wedding ceremony. The Celebrant is the only person who is allowed to solemnise the wedding and must be the person who is responsible for leading the ceremony.

You are allowed to have anyone as a witness – they do not even have to know you. Children are also allowed to be witnesses, provided the are old enough to understand what is happening and recount it effectively to a 3rd party if required. Your witnesses must be two separate people, are of sound mind, not impaired by drugs or alcohol and are able to understand what is happening in the ceremony – this includes understanding the language the ceremony is primarily being conducted in.

That’s ok – but you will need an interpreter present and have to complete some additional paperwork prior to the wedding day. The interpreter does not have to be a professionally registered interpreter, but someone who can clearly and accurately translate the words of the ceremony into the language required (verbally or with sign language).

No, you do not need to reapply for anything. I can amend the paperwork on the day to reflect the new venue.

You have four options. You can both take one of your surnames, or you can double barrel your surnames in any order you choose.

For example: Alex van Hoofsen and Sam Glass could have the following options:

• Alex and Sam van Hoofsen,

• Alex and Sam Glass,

• Alex and Sam van Hoofsen-Glass, or

• Alex and Sam Glass-van Hoofsen.

If you want to create your own new surname (i.e. Alex and Sam van Glass), you need to apply to do this separately after the wedding by Statutory Declaration. You also are not required to change your last name at all, and you can both keep your own names if you choose!

If your marriage is legally recognised in New Zealand, you are not allowed to get married again. You are also not allowed to hold a ceremony to intentionally deceive people into believing that this is your marriage ceremony. You can, however, renew your vows or preform a commitment ceremony amongst other options. See my “And More” page on my website for more options.

Yes! I’m a gay man (he/him) myself, so you’re in very safe hands! Don’t let tradition get in the way of you getting married – husband and wife may not be the titles you want. Husband and husband, wife and wife, life partners or lovers – you choose how you want to declare your love, and how people refer to you!

Sadly no. The law in New Zealand only allows for a marriage to exist between two people, and you cannot be simultaneously married to more than one person at a time. However, there are some options! I also offer Committal Ceremonies. Think of this as all the bells and whistles of a wedding ceremony, without the legal side being involved. You can be married and simultaneously declare your love for someone else at the same time. Get in touch with me and we can have a chat!

Probably not. Unless your passport reflects your new married names, you will need to use your original names. Whatever name is in your passport, is the name you must book under. Airlines will refuse to carry you on an international flight unless the name in the booking matches the name in your passport.

I am only allowed to officiate marriages in New Zealand, but that does not mean that I can’t be part of your plans! I’m more than happy to help you with planning prior to your departure, through to joining you overseas for your time away and being your onsite event manager and Master of Ceremonies. Get in touch with me and we can talk about it more!