Weddings and Civil Unions  

Congratulations! Right now you are probably deeply “engaged” (excuse the pun) in choosing a myriad of items for your special day - venue, clothes, photographer, flowers, invitations. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, but remember what is at the heart of the event - you have chosen to make a lifelong commitment to a person who is very special to you. Your ceremony captures this and sets the scene for you and your guests. It incorporates both your social and legal commitment and makes a public declaration of your love. I will craft that ceremony for you.    

I offer two levels of ceremony: 

  • A Premium Ceremony
  • A “Registry With Style” Ceremony

Premium Ceremony: 

This is the complete, personalised design option which enables you to hold your full legal ceremony at the place of your choice, at the day and time of your choice, and using the words that best express your story, your beliefs and your culture. I guide you through the whole process of creating and delivering your ceremony, so that the final ‘30mins on the day’ are as perfect for you as humanly possible.  

“Registry With Style” Ceremony: 

This is also a full, legal ceremony but is faster to arrange and lower-cost, because the ceremony uses a standard format (similar to a Government Registry Office, Dept of Internal Affairs) and there is no rehearsal. The “Registry With Style” Ceremony includes: 

  • Flexible weekday booking times, including evenings, 2 weeks in advance (some weekends by special arrangement)* 
  • Beautifully-written, modern English ceremony 
  • Several choices for Vows and Readings (optional) 
  • Option of inviting up to 4 guests (2 of whom will be your witnesses, or we can arrange witnesses for you) 
  • Attractive Mt Eden location - indoor or outdoor with a view towards Maungawhau/Mt Eden and Sky Tower (or at a venue of your choice within 5kms). 
  • Celebrate with ‘cutting the cake’ after the ceremony** 
  • Photos taken by your photographer**  

Note:  

* You must book at least 10 days in advance to allow time for you to apply for your marriage licence. Your booking is for a maximum of 1 hour.  

**You can bring your own cake and photographer or we can source for you (charged separately)  

Tailored wedding ceremony Auckland

Same Sex Weddings 

Since the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 came into effect on 19 August 2013, couples are permitted to marry in New Zealand regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The process followed for the design of the ceremony and the choices available through Life Celebrations for a Premium Ceremony or a “Registry With Style” ceremony (see above).  

 

Civil Unions 

Civil Unions are conducted in New Zealand in accordance with the Civil Union Act 2004. They are available to all couples regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Although it was envisaged that civil union would mostly be chosen by gay couples, in practice there has been a fairly consistent proportion of heterosexual couples who choose civil union in preference to traditional marriage. Although there is some slight variation in the vow requirement, the process of designing the ceremony with your celebrant is very similar to that for weddings.  

same sex marriage

Anniversaries and Vow Renewal 

Enduring relationships should be celebrated. The day you first committed to your beloved may be far in the past, but the fact you are still together is something special! Perhaps you would like to: 

  • share the highlights of your journey together in some creative way
  • recommit to each other, witnessed by some of the same people who celebrated with you all those years ago
  • celebrate the family and life that has flowed from your union - a chance to express how your children have enriched and changed your life
  • enjoy a quiet romantic occasion with just the two of you
  • have a formalised vow renewal

Whatever your preference, contact me to craft a special ceremonial focus for your celebration.   

 

ABOUT OURSELVES – Denis Glover 

In our separate lives 

We unite 

Not merely at meal-times 

Or in bed in the illumined night. 

Love lives on love and thrives 

As it must indeed 

On difference.  Indifference  

Is the prerogative of the dead. 

Let’s look to the now, looking 

Trustingly ahead 

For we are two, yet one, 

The moon being complementary  

To the sun. 

Which precedence has moon, has sun? 

The heavens mystery 

Is not for mortal woman or for man. 

We only know what we have always known, 

That without love we live alone.