Kia Ora! I’m Mel, a professional marriage celebrant and small wedding specialist from Mt Eden, Auckland.
Kia whakanui te aroha – let’s celebrate love.
For 13 years, as a registered marriage celebrant of Aotearoa New Zealand, it has been my privilege to craft personal ceremonies for happy couples who place the moment of their marriage at the heart of their wedding day. I love what I do, and it shows.
My style is contemporary, connected, friendly and genuine. I have a particular affinity to couples with children, or those who are “second time around”, couples for whom cultural values and traditions are important, LBGQT partnerships, and couples visiting from overseas. I welcome all who seek a polished yet relaxed modern wedding ceremony delivered with a splash of humour and fun.
I have married hundreds of couples, and I reckon I have seen it all! While large “high end” marriage celebrations seem a little less common now, my Love Story ceremonies for such wedding events have long been popular, and are still a thrill to design and deliver.
These days, my specialty as a professional marriage celebrant is the creation of intimate, meaningful ceremonies for small weddings such as romantic elopements, family-only gatherings, and weddings-at-home. I call these my Love Note ceremonies.
I am also approved by Internal Affairs and Celebrants Aotearoa to conduct Registry ceremonies – the simplest of all marriage ceremonies, aka “legals only”, and in my case, only in Mt Eden.
Love Story Ceremonies are personal and original, blooming with your favourite memories and anecdotes, and any cultural or spiritual elements that have particular significance to you or your family. Designed collaboratively over time with one or two in-person meetings, a Love Story marriage ceremony is especially suited to a large wedding event (i.e. 50 guests or more). It is richly meaningful and uniquely yours. My fee for a Love Story Ceremony reflects the time and care taken to create it, and my depth of professional knowledge and expertise to do so. From $700, Auckland-wide. Rehearsal and travel fees may apply for particular venue locations. See “Love Stories“ for more details.
Love Note Ceremonies are simple but warm, with a light personal touch. They are perfect for busy just-want-to-get-marrieds, shy romantics, or budget conscious couples. I create a simple wedding ceremony for you following a relaxed Zoom chat and using your responses to my prompt-questions sent to you by email. These ceremonies are brief, warm and intimate. See “Love Note“ for more details.
From $550, Central Auckland venues only, max 50 guests. Additional costs may apply in the “high season”, for or a wedding venue that is further afield.
Registry ceremonies are taken by approved marriage celebrants in their local community – in my case, Mt Eden and immediate neighbourhoods. They are short (10 minutes max!), held on weekdays only, (but not public holidays) and use a Government-approved fixed script. The fee paid to the celebrant is $90. To apply for your Marriage Licence for a Registry marriage ceremony see “Love Now“.
