Registry wedding INFORMATION
SHORT, But Sweet...
A Registry Wedding is a short (but no less sweet), legal wedding.
Please have a read of the below information about registry weddings and complete the BOOKING FORM to arrange your registry wedding ceremony.
about registry weddings
In NZ, Registry Weddings are no longer held in Registry Offices (or Courthouses). Instead, they are held in the community, with community celebrants able to marry you in most locations around NZ. When you apply for your marriage paperwork online, you will be able to select a celebrant who is local to the area you wish to get married in.
A Registry Wedding is a short legal ceremony with a script prescribed by the Department of Internal Affairs NZ – Births, Deaths and Marriages (DIA/BDM). The entire ceremony will likely take no more than 15 minutes.
You will need a marriage licence in order to become married. Your application for a marriage licence will need to be completed at least three business days before you intend to get married. A marriage licence is valid for three months, so you are able to apply well in advance. You can apply for a marriage licence HERE.
There are three scripts available to choose from, available in English or te reo (Maori). Please let me know your preferred script, the options of which can be found HERE.
A Registry Wedding can only be performed Monday – Friday between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm. It cannot be performed on a weekend or after hours. There can be a maximum of 20 people in attendance, including the celebrant and any other providers (i.e., photographers, videographers). The wedding can be held in any agreed location (they are no longer held in a registry office). Some local location suggestions can be found below.
A Registry wedding is intended as a simple, no-frills ceremony. There is no rehearsal, no ‘entrance’, no bridal party, and no personalization (including no personal vows). Should you wish more personal option (but still at a lower cost) for a wedding, please ask for further options.
Each party to the marriage will need to bring one form of identification to the ceremony (i.e., Drivers’ License or Passport) and supply two witnesses to sign the official paperwork alongside the two parties to the marriage. All parties should understand English or te reo otherwise a translator will need to be provided.
A marriage certificate is not automatically provided, you will need to order this separately. The paperwork you receive on the day of your registry ceremony is not the legal document you require as evidence of marriage (for Banks, Passports etc.). A marriage certificate can be ordered when you apply for your marriage license or following the ceremony. There is an additional cost of around $30-$40 for this document.
If you are changing your name, you can do so immediately after your ceremony. The legal name change process is the marriage. Your marriage certificate will be the document you need to change your name with Banks and Government offices. More information is available HERE. Further information about Registry Weddings can be found in the document: How to recognise a registry wedding, produced by Celebrants Aotearoa New Zealand (The official Association for Celebrants in New Zealand).
A Registry Wedding can only be performed Monday – Friday between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm. It cannot be performed on a weekend or after hours. There can be a maximum of 20 people in attendance, including the celebrant and any other providers (i.e., photographers, videographers). The wedding can be held in any agreed location (they are no longer held in a registry office). Some local location suggestions can be found below.
A Registry wedding is intended as a simple, no-frills ceremony. There is no rehearsal, no ‘entrance’, no bridal party, and no personalization (including no personal vows). Should you wish more personal option (but still at a lower cost) for a wedding, please ask for further options.
Each party to the marriage will need to bring one form of identification to the ceremony (i.e., Drivers’ License or Passport) and supply two witnesses to sign the official paperwork alongside the two parties to the marriage. All parties should understand English or te reo otherwise a translator will need to be provided.
A marriage certificate is not automatically provided, you will need to order this separately. The paperwork you receive on the day of your registry ceremony is not the legal document you require as evidence of marriage (for Banks, Passports etc.). A marriage certificate can be ordered when you apply for your marriage license or following the ceremony. There is an additional cost of around $30-$40 for this document.
If you are changing your name, you can do so immediately after your ceremony. The legal name change process is the marriage. Your marriage certificate will be the document you need to change your name with Banks and Government offices. More information is available HERE. Further information about Registry Weddings can be found in the document: How to recognise a registry wedding, produced by Celebrants Aotearoa New Zealand (The official Association for Celebrants in New Zealand).
THE COST
The full fee of a Registry wedding is $240; $150 of which you pay to the DIA to secure the marriage legal paperwork. This paperwork is sent directly to me, and I will bring it along with me to your ceremony (one less thing for you to think about!) There is an additional $90 which is payable directly to the celebrant. This is the fee specified by the DIA/BDM and is not negotiable.
You can pay my fee ($90) direct to my business account:Said with Love - Jen SouthanASB12-3449-0289573-00
I can also accept cash on the day. Please let me know if you require a receipt.
You can pay my fee ($90) direct to my business account:Said with Love - Jen SouthanASB12-3449-0289573-00
I can also accept cash on the day. Please let me know if you require a receipt.
Booking notes, terms & conditions
It is important to apply for your marriage licence at least 3 business days in advance of your ceremony date; otherwise, the paperwork may not be processed in time. Your marriage licence is valid for 3 months from the date it is issued, so you can apply well in advance of your proposed registry ceremony date.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to be married via video conferencing. The celebrant, the two parties to the marriage and two witnesses all need to be physically present in the same place together.
There is a maximum of 20 guests allowed in attendance at a registry wedding.
Please be punctual. Like most celebrants, I have other work and clients and may not be able to officiate your ceremony if you are not on time. If you have not arrived by the agreed ceremony time, I will consider your booking cancelled and you will be charged as per the cancellation clause below.
Cancellation: If you decide to cancel your registry wedding within 24 hours of your booking, the $90 fee is payable as I have made this time available to you. You will also be liable for any collection fees incurred.
By completing the BOOKING FORM you understand and agree to these terms and conditions.
REGISTRY CEREMONY Location suggestions
- At your home: Must be within 10-15 minutes of my location (Onehunga).
- Monte Cecilia Park: Hillsborough Road. Lovely local park with large trees and green areas. Free of charge for outdoor areas. (No wet-weather alternative). Parking onsite.
- Pah Homestead Boardroom: A very special location inside the beautiful historic homestead within Monte Cecilia Park. There is an additional cost of $100+GST payable to the Wallace Arts Trust directly. There is a maximum time limit in this space of 60 mins. Parking onsite.
- Onehunga Community House: A beautiful, but rustic, historical primary school in Onehunga (Selwyn Street). Room hire is available from $13 - $22. Indoor venue with opportunities for photography inside the venue or in the garden surrounding. Parking onsite.
- Kiwi Esplanade, Mangere Bridge: There are a number of lovely locations along this walkway on the side of the Manukau Harbour. Free of charge, but no wet weather alternative. Parking available.
- Taumanu Reserve/Onehunga Bay: On or beside the beach, or overlooking the harbour. Parking available.
- Jellicoe Park: Lovely areas beside the Brick House or Settlers Cottages.
Covid-19 impacts
As I am a parent to young children, I do require all attendees who are able to be double vaccinated. If this cannot be confirmed, I will work with you to find a celebrant who will be able to officiate. Weddings are allowed to take place under all current settings (as of 9 Feb 2022) of the traffic light system, with some restrictions. The most up to date information under each setting can be found HERE.
Information on mask use: (Taken from the Covid-19 website)
- You do not need to wear a face mask at a gathering when your gathering is the only one using the defined space and other people cannot mix with your guests.
- You do not need to wear a face mask when gathering in a private home.
- You must wear a face mask at a gathering if the defined space is shared with other groups or members of the public.
What's next?
Complete the booking form to confirm me as your registry ceremony celebrant.