• A non-refundable booking fee of (50% of the total fee) is required to secure your wedding date and confirm my services.

• Your booking is not confirmed until the booking fee has been received.

• The booking fee will be applied toward the total balance.

• The remaining balance is due no later than 7 days before the wedding date.

• For bookings made within 30 days of the ceremony, full payment is required at the time of booking.

• One date change is permitted free of charge if requested at least 8 weeks before the original date, subject to my availability.

• Additional date changes, or changes requested less than 4 weeks before the ceremony, may incur a rescheduling fee.

• If I am unavailable on the new date, the cancellation policy (see Section 4) will apply.

• Cancellations more than 8 weeks before the wedding: refund of all monies paid, minus the non-refundable booking fee.

• Cancellations within 8 weeks of the wedding: 50% refund of the total fee, minus the non-refundable booking fee.

• Cancellations within 14 days of the wedding: no refund available.

• Bookings made within 30 days of the wedding ceremony will incur a last-minute booking fee.

• Full payment is required at the time of booking for last-minute ceremonies.

• Travel fees will be charged according to the distance and time required to reach the wedding venue from my base location.

• Any special travel requirements, such as ferries, remote access, or overnight accommodation, will be discussed and agreed upon with the couple in advance.

• Travel costs will be confirmed at the time of booking once the venue location is known.

• If I am unable to officiate due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. illness), I will:

  • Provide as much notice as possible.

  • Make reasonable efforts to help you find a replacement celebrant.

  • Provide a full refund of all monies paid if a replacement cannot be arranged.

• The Couple is responsible for ensuring all legal marriage documentation is completed and provided within the required timeframes.

• If the ceremony cannot proceed due to incomplete or incorrect legal documentation, the standard cancellation policy will apply.

As a registered marriage celebrant in New Zealand, I am bound by the Marriage Act 1955 and guidance from Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM). By booking me, you acknowledge that I must meet the following legal responsibilities:

Authority and Oversight

• I must be the authorised celebrant conducting your ceremony.

• I am legally required to lead all the legal components of your marriage, including:

  • ensuring you say your legal marriage vows,

  • ensuring these vows are spoken in front of at least two witnesses, and

  • overseeing the signing of the marriage documents.

• I cannot delegate these responsibilities to another person.

No “Paperwork Only” Requests

• I cannot accept requests to only complete the paperwork while someone else performs the legal parts of the ceremony.

• Allowing a non-celebrant to lead legal vows or sign documents is unlawful and may have legal consequences.

Co-facilitated Ceremonies

• If another person takes part in your ceremony, their role must be limited to non-legal elements such as readings, blessings, or sharing your story.

• I will clearly step in to conduct the legal requirements to ensure your marriage is valid and to avoid confusion.

Legal Marriage Vows

• Each of you must say the required words:
  “I [name] take you [name] to be my legal wife/husband/partner.”

• Small variations that keep the same meaning are acceptable.

• Personal vows can be added but cannot replace the required legal sentence.

Documentation and Registration

• I will ensure the marriage documents are signed by both parties and two witnesses.

• I will return the completed documents to BDM within the legal timeframe (usually within 10 days).

Compliance and Integrity

• I will decline any request that risks breaching the Marriage Act or allows someone to pretend to be a celebrant.

• I must always act lawfully and uphold the integrity of the role.

• Breaches may lead to complaint, investigation, or removal from the register of celebrants.