Celebrant Maggie

Absolutely - Yes! I’m based in North Canterbury and regularly work across Christchurch, North Canterbury and wider Canterbury.

If you’ve found the perfect spot, I’m happy to talk travel. After all, one of the lovely things about being a celebrant is getting to see some pretty special places. The first 20km are on me, then it\'s standard IRD charge per km after that.

Legally No - However, I always recommend you have a rehearsal. It will ease your nerves, give everyone involved in the wedding a chance to go through their roles and responsibilities, and on the day, boom! that looks easy...

I’m so much more than the person who stands at the front and says the legal words! I get to know you, hear your story, help shape your ceremony, guide you through the legal bits and then stand beside you on the day to make sure everything flows beautifully.

My job is to create a ceremony that feels like you, your relationship, your personalities, your people and your kind of love.

Honestly? Let’s have a chat!

Your celebrant is someone you’ll spend quite a bit of time with, so I think it’s important that you feel comfortable with me. I’m relaxed, friendly and love a good conversation, and I’m definitely not a “one ceremony fits all” kind of celebrant.

We can have a coffee, a chat on the phone or a video call and see if we’re a good fit. No pressure, no hard sell.

Absolutely. I love meeting couples before they make a decision.

Coffee is often a great place to start — I’m usually at Fresca on Conway Lane in Rangiora or Fools of Desire, or we can meet somewhere convenient between us. We can talk about your plans, what you’re imagining and what you definitely don\'t want!

Absolutely. A backyard, a farm, a garden, a beach, a winery, a beautiful venue, if your chosen location works legally and practically, I’m happy to come to you.

Your wedding doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.

Absolutely.

There are lots of ways to involve the people who matter to you — readings, poems, music, welcoming guests, sharing memories, bringing the rings forward, signing as witnesses or taking part in a special ritual.

We can also include children, stepchildren and, yes, even the family dog!

Of course.

Your ceremony can include cultural, religious or family traditions that are meaningful to you. We can also combine different traditions or create something completely your own.

The ceremony should reflect the two of you and what matters to you.

There are some legal requirements that need to be followed, but don\'t worry — I’ll guide you through them.

You\'ll need to apply for a New Zealand marriage license before the ceremony, and there are specific legal words that need to be included in the ceremony. You\'ll also need two witnesses.

I\'ll make sure you know what needs to happen and when, so you can concentrate on the exciting stuff.

I\'ll arrive in plenty of time, check that everything is where it needs to be, touch base with whoever is coordinating the day and make sure we\'re ready to go.

Then it\'s your moment.

I\'ll guide you through the ceremony, keep an eye on the little details, help settle any nerves and make sure you know what\'s happening next.

You don\'t need to remember everything. That\'s what I\'m there for.

I think it\'s the connection.

I want your ceremony to feel like you are actually in it, rather than simply watching someone else tell your story.

I spend time getting to know my couples, finding the little details that make their relationship unique and weaving those stories into a ceremony that feels natural, heartfelt and sometimes wonderfully funny.

I want your guests to laugh, cry, recognise you in the words and walk away feeling like they\'ve just witnessed something really special.

The people. Every single time.

I love hearing how couples met, the ridiculous stories, the unexpected beginnings, the adventures, the families, the friendships and all the little things that make a relationship theirs.

And then I get the absolute privilege of standing beside them while they make one of the biggest promises of their lives.

I don\'t think I\'ll ever get tired of that.