You need to apply for your Marriage Licence online through the NZ Government Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) website.

A licence is valid for 3 months (90 days) from the date it’s issued. It takes at least 3 working days to process, so I recommend applying about 4 to 6 weeks before your wedding day to be safe.

Couples mix these up all the time!

• The Marriage Licence is the legal permission you get before the wedding that says you are allowed to marry.

• The Marriage Certificate is the official document you order after the wedding that proves you are legally married (which you’ll need if you plan to change your name on your passport or bank accounts).

The New Zealand Government charges a set fee for the paperwork, which is completely separate from my celebrant fee:

• Marriage Licence: $158 NZD (paid when you apply online).

• Marriage Certificate: $33 NZD (you can pre-order and pay for this at the same time you apply for your licence).

There are only two legal vocal requirements in a New Zealand wedding ceremony:

1. I must say your full legal names at least once during the ceremony.

2. You must each say the legal vow: "I, [Name], take you, [Name], to be my legal wife/husband/partner." (You can choose which title suits you best). Everything else is completely up to you!

Absolutely! In fact, I encourage it. Once we include the one mandatory legal sentence mentioned above, the rest of your vows can be as funny, romantic, or traditional as you like. If you get stuck, I have a guide with examples to help you write them.

You need two witnesses. They can be absolutely anyone, as long as they understand what is happening and can physically sign the paperwork. They can be your parents, your best friends, or even your photographer and videographer if you are having an intimate elopement!

When you apply for your Marriage Licence, you are asked to provide your primary venue and an "Alternative Venue" (your wet-weather backup). If it rains and we move to your backup venue, there is no problem at all. However, if you have a last-minute emergency and need to change to a completely different third location, we have to contact BDM to update your licence before the ceremony can legally go ahead.

While it’s not legally required, I highly recommend a quick run-through if you have a bridal party, live music, or just want peace of mind. We don’t need to read the whole ceremony, but it helps to figure out where everyone will stand, how to hold your hands so the photographer gets the best angles, and how to practice the ring exchange!

Yes! New Zealand makes it very easy for international couples and tourists to marry here. The process is exactly the same: you apply for your licence online before you arrive. Just make sure to check what the legal requirements are in your home country for recognising a New Zealand marriage.