Choosing your celebrant or officiant will be a joint decision due to differing beliefs. Celebrants are generally booked up about 6-12 months in advance, so it’s imperative that you book early.

If you do find you’re at a stalemate on differing religious beliefs or you can’t both agree on one celebrant – why not get married by a Registrar of Marriages instead? – organised through the Department of Internal Affairs – Births, Deaths and Marriages,it'd even work out more cost effective.

To be legal, your Celebrant needs to be certified and must appear on the list of marriage celebrants in the New Zealand Gazette

Make sure you're wholly comfortable with your choice of officiant - from their mannerisms, their ability to listen to you and really know what you want, right down to what they intend to wear - ensure it's inline with the formality of your wedding. Here are some questions to ask your officiant or celebrant:

Church Officiant

1. Is it necessary for us to be members of this church?
2. Is it necessary for us to attend premarital counselling?
3. What is the cost to book church? And the capacity?
4. How far in advance do we need to book?
5. Can we photograph and video ceremony?
6. Are there any restrictions on decorations or music?
7. May guests throw confetti etc.?
8. What is this church’s policy on interfaith marriages?
9. Is there more than on wedding on that day? What time?

Celebrant

1. Do you have any references we can call?
2. What is your delivery style?
3. What will you wear?
4. How many meetings do we need before the wedding?
5. How long before the wedding will you arrive?
6. Do you offer a rehearsal at the ceremony location?
7. Do you have any other commitments that day?
8. Do you have any issue regarding appearing in photos with us?