Wedding Ceremony Script NZ: A Celebrant's Template

What this script covers

A complete, legally-valid wedding ceremony outline for New Zealand couples — the bits you must say under the Marriage Act 1955, plus the personal moments that make the day feel like yours. Pinch what works, bin what doesn't, and hand the finished version to your celebrant (if they haven't already given you one).

A relaxed Kiwi ceremony runs 20–30 minutes. Any shorter and guests feel short-changed; any longer and Aunty Sue starts fanning herself with the order of service.

1. Welcome & whakatau

The celebrant opens, settles the room, and names why everyone has travelled to be there. On most NZ marae and many outdoor venues it's appropriate to acknowledge the whenua and mana whenua of the area before introducing the couple.

Sample opening: "E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā karangatanga maha, tēnā koutou katoa. We gather today on the whenua of [iwi], to witness [Partner A] and [Partner B] marry. They've chosen each of you deliberately — you are the people who shaped them, backed them, and will hold them to the promises they're about to make."

Keep it under two minutes. Phones away, shoulders down, here we go.

2. The legal bit (don't skip this)

Under section 31 of the Marriage Act 1955, a marriage in New Zealand is only legal if two things happen in front of a registered celebrant (or Registrar) and two witnesses:

1. Each party takes the other as their husband / wife / partner, using words to that effect.
2. Both parties and both witnesses sign the Copy of Particulars of Marriage.

The Act doesn't lock you into specific wording — it just has to be clear you're marrying each other. The standard celebrant-led version sounds like this:

Celebrant: "[Partner A], please repeat after me: I, [full legal name], take you, [full legal name], to be my [husband / wife / partner], according to the law of New Zealand."

The celebrant doesn't say the above and then you say I do. That's from the movies, and not legal in New Zealand.

Use full legal names here — the same ones on the marriage licence — even if everyone calls you Hemi instead of Hemingway. Once both parties have said these words, you are legally married. Everything after is celebration.

3. Personal vows

Personal vows sit alongside the legal vow, not instead of it. Pick the style that suits you — your celebrant will help shape the wording.

Traditional

"I promise to love you, to stand beside you in good times and hard, in health and in sickness, and to choose you again every day for the rest of our lives."

Modern Kiwi

"I promise to be your person. To make the coffee, to fight fair, to laugh at your bad jokes, and to keep showing up — on the easy days and the ones that test us. You're my home."

Write-your-own (prompts)

• The moment I knew you were the one was…
• What I promise to do on the hard days is…
• The future I'm building with you looks like…
• One thing I'll never stop doing is…

Aim for 150–250 words each. Read them out loud three times before the day — if you can't get through without crying, that's fine; if you can't get through without laughing at your own writing, rewrite it.

4. Ring exchange

Rings are symbolic, not legal — you don't need them to be married in NZ. If you are exchanging them, the script is short:

"[Partner B], I give you this ring as a sign of everything I've just promised. Wear it, and remember that you are loved."

No rings? Swap in a pounamu, a tattoo reveal, a shared karakia, or simply skip the section. One ring only? Same script, one direction. Get whoever's holding the rings (best person, ring-bearer, your nan) to hand them over before you start so there's no fossicking in pockets.

5. Signing the register

Your celebrant will have two copies of the Copy of Particulars of Marriagefrom Births, Deaths and Marriages. You both sign, then your two witnesses sign, then the celebrant. The celebrant lodges one copy with BDM within 10 working days — that's what triggers your marriage certificate.

• Pen: bring a good black ballpoint. Felt tips bleed on the form.
• Order: couple first, then witnesses, then celebrant.
• Music: 2–3 minutes of something warm — this is when guests exhale, take photos, and start to relax. Think Fat Freddy's Drop, Bic Runga, Anika Moa, or whatever sounds like you.
• Photos: ask your photographer for the "fake signing" reshoot after the ceremony — the real signing is usually too rushed for hero shots.

6. Pronouncement & first kiss

The pronouncement is the moment guests have been waiting for. Three flavours:

Traditional

"By the authority vested in me, and in the presence of your whānau and friends, it is my absolute privilege to pronounce you married. You may kiss."

Inclusive / gender-neutral

"[Partner A] and [Partner B], you've made your promises, signed the paperwork, and chosen each other in front of every person who matters. You are married. Kiss like you mean it."

Playful

"Right — that's the legal bit done. Ladies, gentlemen and everyone in between, I give you the newly married [surname/s]. Off you go."

Then the recessional: walk back down the aisle together, slowly, smiling at people. Don't sprint. The photographer will thank you.

FAQ

How long should a NZ wedding ceremony be?

20–30 minutes is the sweet spot. Long enough to feel meaningful, short enough that no-one's sunburnt by the signing. Under 15 minutes feels rushed; over 40 and you'll lose the room.

Can I write my own vows in New Zealand?

Yes — write whatever you like for your personal vows. You still need to say the legal vow ("I, [name], take you, [name], to be my [husband / wife / partner]") in front of your celebrant and two witnesses for the marriage to be legal.

Do we need a celebrant?

Yes. A marriage in NZ must be solemnised by a celebrant registered with Births, Deaths and Marriages, or by a Registrar at a BDM office. Mates can't legally marry you, no matter how nice the certificate from the internet looks.

Do we need witnesses?

Two. They don't need any special qualifications — they just need to be present for the vows and sign the paperwork.

What if we want a te reo Māori ceremony?

Absolutely allowed. The legal vow can be said in te reo Māori, English, or both. Your celebrant will confirm the wording with you and BDM before the day.

Can we get married outdoors / on a beach / on a boat?

Yes — NZ marriage licences specify a place, not a building. You'll list the venue (and a wet-weather backup) on your Notice of Intended Marriage form. Tell your celebrant about both addresses.