Weekly
Expert breakdowns
Short, no-fluff posts from Nate on the things couples actually Google at 2am.
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For NZ couples
Plan the wedding. Skip the noise.
A close-knit community for engaged Kiwi couples. Chat about the planning, the tricky family bits, and the bigger questions. With expert notes from a working NZ celebrant and MC.
515
weddings officiated
350+
five-star Google reviews
7 yrs
as a celebrant
100%
HERE FOR YOU
The community
A backyard of couples figuring it out, together.
Forget the polished Pinterest spirals. Here you'll meet real Kiwi couples planning real days , sharing venue tips, navigating family politics, vow drafts, and the very real moments in between.
- Chats by timeline - be paired with other couples who are at the same stage of the timeline as you.
- Honest reviews of venues, photographers, florists & DJs.
- Vow swaps, ceremony scripts, and run-sheet templates you can steal.
Your celebrant in residence
Kia ora, I'm Nate.
ACTIVE CELEBRANT & M.C. ~60 WEDDINGS A YEAR
I've officiated 515 weddings across NZ over the last seven years, and somewhere between the luxury Waiheke weddings to the family farm weddings in Matamata I've picked up a thing or two.
And I'm still out there every weekend , around 60 weddings a year. I don't just write about this stuff, I'm living it with real couples, in real venues, right now.
With 350+ five-star Google reviews behind me, I'm here in the community every day: answering your questions, reading vow drafts, and reminding you that yes, you're allowed to have a sausage sizzle reception.
Vow writingCeremony structureDifficult family chatsDay-of nerves
Latest advice
Fresh from Nate's desk.
Practical, NZ-specific guides on the bits that actually trip Kiwi couples up , written by a working celebrant.
Featured guide
NZ Marriage Licence: The Complete 2026 Guide (Step-by-Step)
How to get a New Zealand marriage licence , cost, timing, forms, witnesses, and the full step-by-step checklist from a working Kiwi celebrant.
By Nate DunnRead the guide →
Why Kiwi Couples Don't Use Wedding Planners (And What To Do Instead)
Most NZ couples plan their own wedding, unlike the USA. Here's why, where that leaves you, and how a celebrant who's worked your venue dozens of times fills the gap.
Wedding Ceremony Script NZ: A Celebrant's Template (2026)
A New Zealand celebrant's full wedding ceremony script template , legal vows, processional, ring exchange and signing , with Kiwi-friendly examples you can adapt.
Browse all advice→What you get
Expert takes, delivered with experience.
Local advice. More aunty wisdom. Every week, fresh advice that actually applies to getting married in Godzone.
Live
Live video chat every Tuesday night
Bring your half-written vows or your nightmare seating chart. We'll workshop it.
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On-demand
Templates & scripts
Real ceremony scripts, run sheets, and vendor checklists , built for Kiwi weddings.
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Frequently asked
The bits everyone Googles first.
- Do I legally need a celebrant to get married in New Zealand?
- Yes. In NZ a marriage must be solemnised by a celebrant approved by the Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or by a registrar at a registry office. A friend can't legally marry you unless they're a registered celebrant.
- How far in advance should I book a wedding celebrant in NZ?
- For peak season (December through March) most experienced NZ celebrants are booked 9 to 12 months ahead. For off-peak dates, 4 to 6 months is usually enough. If you have a specific celebrant in mind, lock them in as soon as you have a date and venue.
- How much does a wedding celebrant cost in New Zealand?
- Celebrants have a range of charges for a full wedding ceremony, depending on travel, experience, and whether MC services are included, so best to enquiry with a few first. Registry office ceremonies are cheaper but very short and impersonal.
- What's the difference between a celebrant and an MC?
- A celebrant runs your ceremony , the legal vows, signing, and pronouncement. An MC runs your reception , introductions, speeches, timing, and keeping the night moving. Some celebrants (like moi) do both, which keeps your day cohesive and saves you hiring two suppliers.
- Do I need a wedding planner in New Zealand?
- Most Kiwi couples plan their wedding themselves, with help from the venue coordinator on the day. A planner can be useful for very large or complex weddings, or if you'd prefer to be more hands out, but they do come with additional cost
- How long does a wedding ceremony usually take?
- A typical NZ wedding ceremony runs 20 to 30 minutes , long enough to feel meaningful, short enough that guests don't bake in the sun. Add 20 mins post wedding for congratulations and family/friend photos.
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