Crafting custom ceremonies to mark life's big moments

I'm a registered independent marriage celebrant based in Ōtautahi/Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand. 

I am available to solemnise marriage ceremonies in the Christchurch-area, greater Canterbury, and Dunedin.

Am I the right celebrant for your ceremony?

There are hundreds of independent marriage celebrants you could choose from, so what sets me apart?

  1. I've got a way with words (holding a PhD in rhetoric and composition in English). I never use AI. Each ceremony is crafted in collaboration with and created specifically for my clients.
  2. My clients know that I'm passionately supportive of them living their lives authentically, and that I listen between the lines to get to the heart of what matters most to them.
  3. I have a particular specialisation in making sure that non-traditional couples and families have the perfect ritual or ceremony that reflects who they are. 

In particular, I especially enjoy working with neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, and clients in non-traditional relationships.

But whoever you are and whatever your love story is, I take delight and professional pride in ensuring that your special day fits your style and approach to marriage. I'm kind, open-minded, and a great listener.

If you'd like to have a chat about how I can help you plan the perfectly YOU marriage ceremony, email me at hello@janelatlas.com.

You can also book a free 15 minute phone call or Zoom chat so that we can figure out whether I'm the right celebrant for your special occasion!

Enquire about Hiring Janel as a Celebrant

Celebrant Services

15 minute alignment call

$0

✨no pressure and no obligation Zoom or phone call for a vibe check and to answer any of your questions

Simple Personalised Ceremony

$350

✨Zoom or in-person planning conversation ✨simple personalised ceremony draft with 1 edit ✨email-based support for vow-writing, if needed ✨my presence from 20 minutes before the service until the ceremony completion ✨legal and licensed solemnisation ✨filing the official documentation to ensure that your marriage is legally binding

Detailed Personalised Ceremony, including 2 pre-ceremony sessions

$700

✨2 Zoom or in-person planning conversations ✨highly personalised ceremony draft with 2 edits ✨structured support for vow-writing, if needed ✨my presence from 20 minutes before the service until the ceremony completion ✨legal and licensed solemnisation ✨filing the official documentation to ensure that your marriage is legally binding

Custom Ceremony including Vow Writing, 2 pre-ceremony sessions, and rehearsal

~$1400+

✨2 Zoom or in-person planning conversations ✨highly personalised ceremony draft with 2 edits ✨structured support for vow-writing, if needed ✨rehearsal of the ceremony ahead of the BIG DAY ✨2 Zoom or in-person planning conversations ✨highly personalised ceremony draft with 2 edits ✨structured support for vow-writing, if needed ✨my presence from 20 minutes before the service until the ceremony completion ✨legal and licensed solemnisation ✨filing the official documentation to ensure that your marriage is legally binding

These prices are listed in New Zealand Dollars. For prices for international visitors planning to wed in Aotearoa/New Zealand, please get in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Commonly asked questions about getting married in New Zealand
1How can I find a marriage celebrant to conduct our wedding ceremony?
Visit https://celebrants.dia.govt.nz/ for a complete list of registered celebrants.
2Do I have to get married in a church?
Thankfully many versatile options are available to couples looking to get married in Christchurch New Zealand, including private homes, parks/council spaces, and other venues.
3How much does it cost to hire a marriage celebrant in Christchurch?
The fee marriage celebrants charge can vary widely and depends on the level of personalisation the couple wants, the experience-level of the celebrant, whether there is travel involved, and the degree of collaboration back and forth the couple desires. Registry weddings cost $158 (license fee) plus $175 (standard celebrant fee), but some ceremony celebrant fees can run up in the thousands.
4How do I get a marriage license to get married in New Zealand?
Visit https://marriages.services.govt.nz/ to apply for your marriage license ($158) and marriage certificate ($33). Processing takes about three days and the license expires if you do not get married within three months (so you'd have to reapply).
5Does a marriage celebrant help with writing your wedding vows?
Many celebrants are happy to consult and provide light feedback on the vows that you and your partner write. If you'd like more substantive support in getting the words and sentiments just perfect, the marriage celebrant will be happy to help (though this usually entails a higher fee because of the time it takes).
6Do marriage celebrants in New Zealand only perform weddings?
Celebrants tend to have specialisations and can tailor-make a variety of ceremonies and rituals for marking life occasions. Reach out to your preferred marriage celebrant in Christchurch to discuss what you're seeking.
7Do marriage celebrants in New Zealand charge for travel?
Typically registered marriage celebrants will travel within a certain distance from their home/office for no charge. Travel beyond that is typically billed as an expense in addition to the celebrant fee.
8Can we elope and get married just with the celebrant there to solemnise the marriage?
New Zealand law requires that there be two witnesses to to meet legal requirements in order to solemnise a wedding. So no, it can't just be the couple and the celebrant. However, you can ask a member of the public and/or a photographer or other wedding professional to be one of the two required witnesses for your marriage.
9How can I make sure the marriage celebrant is a good fit for us?
Like with any relationship, it starts with a conversation. 1. Booking an initial free 15 min online or phone consultation 2. Discussing your goals, preferences, and plans for your special day 3. Ask any questions you have 4. Hire the marriage celebrant you feel best suits you.