The Best Wedding Celebrants in Auckland
Our list of trusted and affordable Auckland Wedding Celebrants and FAQs helps you plan and prepare for your important day.
Updated 26 April 2024
Summary:
Our Auckland Wedding Celebrant guide covers:
Summary:
- In this guide, we outline what’s important when choosing a celebrant and what you should expect to pay. A trusted and respected wedding celebrant brings a level of expertise and professionalism to make your big day relaxed and enjoyable.
- The levels of stress during a wedding can be high, so having a celebrant who is experienced in problem-solving and pre-empting your needs and wedding demands is essential. A wedding celebrant keeps your wedding on track from start to end.
Our Auckland Wedding Celebrant guide covers:
What Is the Role of a Wedding Celebrant?
Wedding celebrants conduct the civil (non-religious) ceremony of marrying two persons. In New Zealand, the celebrant must be registered to abide by the Marriage Act 1955. However, wedding celebrants do a lot more than just ensure your wedding is legally valid. Their services include:
- Wedding ceremony planning and organisation assistance
- Wedding ceremony organisation
- Legal matters and documentation
- Assisting with vows and speeches
- Ceremony personalisation
How much does an Auckland wedding celebrant cost?
- Marriage celebrants charge largely by time, which will vary depending on the scale of your plans. If you want a celebrant for a simple ceremony in front of a few family members, you could comfortably pay around $300 to $500.
- A full-scale wedding will cost more as the time demands are higher. A celebrant doesn’t just show up on the day and ‘wing it’, they work with you to plan and craft the perfect ceremony, so there is a lot of pre-work that is included in the single fee.
- Before asking for a quote, ask yourself what your needs are. Do you need them for a standard marriage officiation, or do you need them to conduct the wedding from start to end? Deciding on your needs upfront will help you budget appropriately and find an experienced celebrant.
Generally, the following costs apply:
- Wedding officiating $400 to $600
- Wedding organising $800 to 1,500
- Renewal of vows $400 to $600
- Simple wedding ceremonies $300 to $500
Based on our research carried out in December 2019, Auckland Celebrants charge an average of around $100/hr for their services, meaning your service will cost anywhere from $400 to $1,000.
​How can I get the best price for a celebrant?
Several factors influence the cost of a wedding celebrant, with location, duration and ceremony type being the most significant.
Important – sticking to a wedding budget is very important, but choosing a marriage celebrant based on price alone may not be the best idea. For a wedding to be the best it can be, you’ll need a celebrant who you connect with. A trusted Auckland celebrant who has the experience in the scale of wedding you’re planning will often be the most appropriate choice.
- Location – if you’re getting married in the Bay of Islands, the travel costs will be higher for an Auckland-based celebrant than if your wedding was on Waiheke or in Mount Eden. Celebrants usually have a mileage charge, compensating them for the time they take to get to and from your wedding venue.
- Duration – Celebrants, like most service professionals, most often charge on an hourly basis or as a package deal. To understand the costs, proposing a couple of wedding plans will show what’s within your budget. If you’re looking to save money, it’s often cheaper to have your celebrant come specifically for the vows rather than plan the wedding with you.
- Ceremony – A Celebrant’s main role is to officiate a ceremony. However, no wedding is like another. Do you want your celebrant to be there to help set up your venue? If so, there’s going to be an additional cost. The scale of your wedding and the Celebrant services you agree to will reflect the price.
Important – sticking to a wedding budget is very important, but choosing a marriage celebrant based on price alone may not be the best idea. For a wedding to be the best it can be, you’ll need a celebrant who you connect with. A trusted Auckland celebrant who has the experience in the scale of wedding you’re planning will often be the most appropriate choice.
How to Find a Top-Rated Auckland Celebrant that’s Perfect for Your Wedding
By New Zealand law, only registered celebrants can perform weddings or civil unions in New Zealand. Securing the right celebrant for your wedding is worth planning months in advance as the most popular can get booked up, especially over the summer months.
- Start by looking for local wedding celebrants via Google or using a list such as our top 10 below. When you shortlist, make sure you look at their websites in detail, read their testimonials and contact them with your wedding plan.
- Arrange to meet the celebrant in person. You’ll get a true feel for how they are and whether they fit into your wedding vision. If you’re looking for someone who is relaxed and funny, then meeting them first is the only way to find out. At the meeting you’ll discuss your wedding plans and what services you’d like the celebrant to conduct.
- Once you’ve decided on a celebrant, confirm the price and services offered and pay a deposit. You can then contact your celebrant who will help advise, guide and inspire you to create a wedding that’s unique to you.
- Apply for a marriage licence. Before you get married, you need to apply for a licence. A licence confirms it’s legal for you to marry. It costs $150 if you use a celebrant, and it needs to be arranged at least three working days before you get married. It also expires after three months. Your celebrant will assist with this process, and more details can be found on this government website.
- Get ready to see your Celebrant in action. Once the big day approaches, your celebrant will finalise the details of the vows, timings and any special requirements.
​
The Best Auckland Wedding Celebrants
Our list below, which is no particular order, covers celebrants residing all over Auckland. We have selected these based on their history of longstanding service within Auckland, location and data extracted from internet reviews on Google Business, Facebook, TradeMe Services, wedding-specific forums and others.
Yogamani Auckland Celebrant
Base: Takapuna, Auckland
Hours: 24/7
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Yogamani Auckland Celebrant
Facebook Page: Yogamani Auckland Celebrant
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 021 980 692
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: 24/7
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Yogamani Auckland Celebrant
Facebook Page: Yogamani Auckland Celebrant
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 021 980 692
Customer Feedback:
- Able to travel to wedding destinations across New Zealand
- Genuine, sincere and friendly celebrant
- Shows uniqueness, attention to detail and care throughout the process
- Assists the client on and before the ceremony
- Gives reliable suggestions and professional ideas
Pros:
- Commits to crafting personal, unique ceremonies
- Ceremonial speech is pre-approved by the clients
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Yogamani is run by Swami Yogamani Saraswati, a registered Marriage Celebrant and a member of the Celebrant Association of New Zealand
- She has been a top-rated celebrant in Wedding Wise since 2014
- Holds ceremony rehearsals, wedding ceremonies, bespoke ceremonies and elopements
- Offers service for traditional weddings, contemporary weddings and same-sex weddings
Tania Maindonald - Your NZ Celebrant
Base: Te Atatū South, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Sat 10 am – 6 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Tania Maindonald
Facebook Page: Tania Maindonald
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 021 750717
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Sat 10 am – 6 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Tania Maindonald
Facebook Page: Tania Maindonald
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 021 750717
Customer Feedback:
- Makes the wedding run smoothly
- Highly professional service
- Never a dull moment wedding
- Kind, approachable and genuine celebrant
Pros:
- Everything is done as per schedule
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Your NZ Celebrant is run by Tania Maindonld , who has done weddings for various cultures and age group
- She is a proud member of the Celebrant Association of New Zealand and has been providing professional service for over 27 years
- Officiates all types of weddings, elopements and funeral
- Provides wedding and event vehicle hire
Erin Marmont Marriage Celebrant
Base: Hauraki, Auckland
Hours: 24/7
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Erin Marmont Marriage Celebrant
Facebook Page: Erin Marmont Marriage Celebrant
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 021 998 655
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: 24/7
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Erin Marmont Marriage Celebrant
Facebook Page: Erin Marmont Marriage Celebrant
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 021 998 655
Customer Feedback:
- Provides no obligation meet and greet
- Affordable rates
- Professional, yet personalised service
- Makes the ceremony fun, exciting and enjoyable experience
Pros:
- Able to travel within New Zealand for destination weddings
- Accepts enquiries 24/7
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Since 2010, Erin Marmont has been officiating marriages and civil unions within Auckland
- She is known for her excellent voice projection, clarity and perfect 'pauses', which creates a more meaningful ceremony
- Officiates wedding ceremonies and civil unions
Liz Ashworth Celebrant
Base: Kumeu, Auckland
Hours: 24/7
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Liz Ashworth Celebrant
Facebook Page: Liz Ashworth Celebrant
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 0274 849 640
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: 24/7
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Liz Ashworth Celebrant
Facebook Page: Liz Ashworth Celebrant
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 0274 849 640
Customer Feedback:
- Has keen attention to detail
- Provides helpful advice to the newlywed
- Professional yet personalised service
- Excellent client communication
- Listens to stories and conveys them during the ceremony
Pros:
- Registered Marriage & Civil Union Celebrant
- Holds a Diploma in Celebrancy and Certificate in Grief Counseling
- Able to travel for wedding locations within New Zealand
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Liz Ashworth is a registered marriage and civil union celebrant with a Diploma in Celebrancy
- Officiates wedding ceremonies, funeral ceremonies, graduation ceremonies, retirement ceremonies and civil unions
Ria Vandervis
Base: Henderson, Auckland
Hours: 24/7
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Ria Vandervis
Facebook Page: Ria Vandervis
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 09 360 2654
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: 24/7
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Ria Vandervis
Facebook Page: Ria Vandervis
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 09 360 2654
Customer Feedback:
- Helpful in creating the wedding vows
- Well-organised ceremony
- Creates light and happy mood
- Provides invaluable guidance to the newlyweds
Pros:
- Tailors each ceremony based on the couple's stories
- Can travel New Zealand wide for special destinations
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Ria Vandervis is an actress and celebrant who is based in West Auckland
- She had her degree in Celebrant School of New Zealand in 2012 and has been officiating weddings since then
- Officiates wedding ceremonies and civil unions
Peta Hardley Celebrant
Base: Kumeu, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Sun 8 am – 7 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Peta Hardley Celebrant
Facebook Page: Peta Hardley Celebrant
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 021 162 4752
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Sun 8 am – 7 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Peta Hardley Celebrant
Facebook Page: Peta Hardley Celebrant
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 021 162 4752
Customer Feedback:
- Helps create wedding vows and wedding readings
- Has her ceremony venue to recommend
- Provides helpful information about the licensing and ceremony
- Very easy to deal with
Pros:
- A member of Celebrants Association of New Zealand
- Assures clients of a service bound by code of ethics and professional standards
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Peta Hardley is dedicated to providing unique and personalised ceremonies for a more memorable occasion
- Officiates marriage ceremonies, civil unions, naming ceremonies and renewal of vows
- Provides service for casual weddings and traditional weddings
Christina Mackay
Base: Westmere, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Sat 8 am – 6 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Christina Mackay
Facebook Page: Christina Mackay
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 021 731 203
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Sat 8 am – 6 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Christina Mackay
Facebook Page: Christina Mackay
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 021 731 203
Customer Feedback:
- Takes time to get to know her clients
- Makes the whole process very easy
- Excellent client communication
- Creates a natural ceremony
- Professional and thoroughly organised
Pros:
- Assists clients with all legal documentation and formal registration of births, deaths and marriages
- A member of CANZ (Celebrant Association of NZ) with a VCANZ accreditation membership with the association
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Christina Mackay is a CANZ registered celebrant in Auckland and Marlborough
- Provides service for beach weddings, vineyard weddings and gay weddings
- Officiate wedding ceremonies, civil unions, naming ceremonies and social speeches
Emma Love
Base: Takanini, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Sun 8 am – 8 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Emma Love
Facebook Page: Emma Love
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 021 140 6632
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Sun 8 am – 8 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Emma Love
Facebook Page: Emma Love
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 021 140 6632
Customer Feedback:
- Makes the whole wedding process easy and enjoyable
- Gives valuable advice to newlyweds during the rehearsal
- Bubbly and welcoming celebrant
- Excellent service
Pros:
- Tailors the ceremony based on her clients
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Emma Love graduated from the Celebrant School in 2011 and has been officiating ceremonies since she became a member of The Celebrants Association of New Zealand
- Covers Auckland ceremonies, including weddings, funerals and name-giving
Melanie Stuart Celebrant
Base: Mount Eden, Auckland
Hours: 24/7
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Melanie Stuart Celebrant
Facebook Page: Melanie Stuart Celebrant
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 021 565 944
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: 24/7
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Melanie Stuart Celebrant
Facebook Page: Melanie Stuart Celebrant
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 021 565 944
Customer Feedback:
- Provides couples with a beautifully written ceremony
- On-point with legal paperwork
- Ensures everything goes according to plan
- Pays great attention to detail
Pros:
- Helps with legal marriage paper works and registration which provides convenience to her clients
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Mel Stuart, a former lawyer and a certified professional celebrant who specialises in weddings
- With over 140 officiated weddings, there's no doubt her ratings continue to grow with positive responses
- Officiates wedding ceremonies and civil unions
⚠️ Disclaimer: MoneyHub.co.nz has no financial or otherwise relationship with any businesses listed on this page. The pricing information provided is for informational and guidance purposes only and may not accurately represent the actual quotes or final bills for individual services. No provider has paid to appear on our website, and this list should not be considered comprehensive. Please research and obtain quotes directly from a range of businesses to ensure accurate pricing and suitability for your needs.
