Writing your vows possibly doesn’t come naturally or easily to you but all you need to think about are these two words: why and what.

Why are you marrying your love? What is it about them that makes you sure you’re better together than apart? 

While you’re considering all these reasons, writing them down as you go, you will have the basis for your vows.

And you thought writing vows was hard! The only tricky part is turning all your reasons why into a format you’d be happy to read out at your wedding. This is where I become your writing buddy! Remember, I’m here to guide you, so don’t be shy in asking for help.

Why do we share vows?

Other than there being a legal aspect within the vows, the actual word vow means ‘to make a solemn promise’; or to ‘dedicate to someone or something’. How beautiful is that? 

The two of you fell in love by chance, but you’re making a choice – you’re choosing each other. You’re vowing to be there for one another. Vows are promises you intend to keep. 

Vow writing tips

• Ensure you include the legal line that you’ll see on your marriage licence: ‘I AB take you CD to be my legal wife (or husband)’ or words to similar effect.
• What your partner means to you.
• How your partner makes you feel.
• Why you are choosing to marry your partner.
• If humour is your style, go ahead and add some in! Perhaps you could add in some promises? ‘I promise to never watch the next episode we’re binging on Netflix without you.’ Or ‘I promise to try not to touch your computer screen.’ Anything that means something to you and your partner will add some colour to your vows.
• Your favourite quote to wrap it all up. As Patrick says to David in Schitts Creek – ‘You’re my Mariah Carey.’ Those who know this quote will know how poignant these words are. 

Need more inspiration?

If you’re still struggling with finding some words to say – listen to some music, especially music that makes you think about the person you’re going to marry. Music is an emotive tool often used to get into a certain frame of mind.

Rather not write your own vows?

You certainly don’t have to. All you need to say is the legal line. Everything else is poetry. 

Be encouraged to say what you want to say. No matter how long or short you make them. You might like to add just a couple of extra lines to the legal line, or a couple of extra paragraphs. Inevitably, it’s up to you.

Remember, you don’t need to be creative; you don’t need to be a big old romantic; you just need to think about what your partner means to you, and the promises (ie: vows) you’d like to make to them.

The wedding plans of many New Zealanders have been interrupted by COVID-19 and that now includes our Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

New Zealand has moved to the “Red Light” of the traffic light system, and just like a red traffic light when you’re driving, the COVID-19 Red has literally put a stop on PM Jacinda’s wedding – for now.

While this news isn’t wonderful for our prime minister and her partner Clarke Gayford, she can now completely understand the reality of what other loved-up couples have had to endure over the past two years – the world over.

Planning your wedding while living through a global pandemic isn’t the dream place to be – but we can’t stop living and loving, so this is what you (and our PM Jacinda) can do to ensure your wedding isn’t postponed while we’re at Red.

The idea is – hitch now, party later! (For more information on what it means to host a wedding when NZ is at ‘Red’ read this informative blog post.)

COVID-19 ‘Red Light’ wedding options

Registry Office Ceremony – $90

So, you’re wanting a straight-forward ceremony at your home or a local spot, with set vows and script? Done!

As an authorised VCANZ Registry Celebrant, I can do this for you. All you need to do is organise two witnesses, and your marriage licence ($150), and it will cost just $90 to have me as your celebrant. It couldn’t be more simple.

Elopement – $300

($100 non-refundable deposit; balance due one week out from your elopement)

Elope away with your greatest love, embracing your freedom of choice: marrying where you want, when you want, and with the handful of guests you want!

Throw away the rule book of organising a big, traditional wedding by choosing to elope!

Here are some reasons people choose to elope: because it’s an utterly authentic, ‘just us’ experience; intimacy and intention; less family drama (someone had to say it – ha!); valuing experiences over stuff; far less stress and anxiety; less planning; and life is meant to be an adventure – so why not elope away for the love of fun! And each other!

Elopement Package – $950

($200 non-refundable deposit; balance due one week out from your elopement)

All of the awesomeness from an elopement with the added option of a photographer. I work with two talented photographers, (Andrea Kewish Photography and Mel’s Moments) to ensure there’s always someone available for your beautifully relaxed, stress-free elopement. It includes:

• maximum of 10 adult guests (anymore and it becomes a Boutique Wedding)
• personalised ceremony (Kineta will help you write your vows)
• elopement certificate with your witnesses signatures on it
• photos during ceremony
• up to 1 hour of photos onsite (this includes the ceremony)
• an online gallery of your elopement images

Micro Wedding – $500

($150 non-refundable deposit; balance due one week out from your micro wedding)

Perhaps you’d like just 20-30 people to attend your wedding, but you’d still like it to be a bespoke, personalised ceremony, still walking up the aisle to music, and writing your own vows. A Micro Wedding is the perfect choice for you!

Here’s what you can expect:

• An initial meeting to discuss and plan your ceremony
• From what you paint as your vision for the day, I will then set about creating your ceremony, and offering some advice and ideas. I can also help with your vows and give you some ideas for other things you might like in your ceremony, too
• As many emails and calls with me as you need
• Conducting the ceremony
• Keepsake vow booklets
• A keepsake certificate – with your witnesses signatures on it
• This option does not include a rehearsal or use of my PA and microphone

So, there are four awesome reasons to stay encouraged and keep planning your wedding. By keeping it small you have a better opportunity to ensure you still get the wedding you’ve planned for. And, although very highly recommended, whether your guests have a My Vaccine Pass or not will not be taken into consideration, as all numbers onsite are under 25.

Just because Jacinda’s wedding is off doesn’t mean yours has to be too. If you stick to these simple rules it need not mean a stop to your wedding.

Thinking ceremony arch? Think yes!

Arches create a beautiful frame for the two of you throughout your ceremony and can then be repurposed elsewhere at the venue throughout the day.

There are so many different styles on offer around Canterbury; they are as varied as every couple’s taste. Let’s take a look!

The ever-evolving arch. How’s this for a stunning piece of arch art! These are The Little Hire Company‘s metal floral plinths. Love!

This triangle arch is a 3m beauty! Blackbird Furniture and Event Hire has a set of three you can hire – or just the one. You decide!

[Image: Carmen Peter Photography]

How fun is this! Frames within a frame. Nice work, Fleur Couture.

Elegant draping alongside green and white florals. Beautiful. The Event Boutique.

The Little Hire Company plinths? YES, PLEASE! Perfect for your ceremony, and for the reception, too.

This cluster of panels is a gorgeous addition to your ceremony. Hire one; hire them all! (Although they are shown in pink here, they are now in a neutral tone). You can find these at Blackbird Furniture and Event Hire.

Can never go past a gorgeous floral wall in place of an arch. LOVE. By Fleur Couture.

White double triangle: together or spaced apart. 2.4m H x 2.2m W. So beautiful. The Event Boutique.

An arch with a roof! Beautiful new piece from Creative Cart Co. A chic, boho and a traditional vintage option for a sunny reception. 

This could be you! Love this contemporary piece by The Event Boutique.

[Image: Sophie Isabella Photo]

Arghh! Looks so good in this environment! Beautiful work, Flourish Events.

Ahh the beauty of this lush greenery and floral arch. Such a clever team over at The Little Hire Company.

[Image: Midge Edine Photography]

This is a goodie! Beautifully handmade by Blackbird Furniture and Event Hire.

Did someone say toetoe? Can never get enough of this piece of natural art. Rent this from The Little Hire Company.

These examples are just a drop in the bucket! There are so many beautiful pieces to hire throughout Canterbury for your elopement, wedding ceremony, or reception.

Are you looking for something different? Check the Canterbury Wedding White Pages for a full list of event hire equipment.

Roam behind-the-scenes with me – taking you places you normally couldn’t go! Like, how couples find me; what planning meetings look like; what’s a rehearsal? Watch on ♡

Introducing The Lloyds – finally getting hitched after three corona-related cancellations ♡

♡♡♡

Meet Mel and Kent, a Christchurch couple looking to tie the knot. They needed just one thing – a marriage celebrant! They found me online, loved what they saw and locked me in right away. And let the ceremony planning begin!

But not everyone can meet in-person – so, thank the gods for the world-wide web!However we plan your ceremony just know it’ll be a whole lotta fun!

Be like The Lloyds – book your wedding with me. You’ll be so glad you did.

Kineta Booker – Christchurch Celebrant – coming to a ceremony near you this coming wedding season x

CREDITS and THANKS:

Photography – Andrea Kewish Photography

Videography – Andrea “Kineta Made Me Do It” Kewish

Lovers – Mel and Kent Lloyd

Extras – Mel and Kent’s friends and family

Celebrant – Kineta Booker – Christchurch Celebrant

Music www.bensound.com

Locations – The Old Vicarage + Halswell Quarry, Christchurch

Made by – Booker Creative

Produced by – www.kinetabooker.com

Imagine an evening of empowering women, sharing raw stories about their lives. That’s exactly what Real Women Raw Stories is all about and I’m super proud to be one of the sponsors

Lisa Fong from Move It Mama will speak about the habit of fitness increasing mental wellbeing; Senior Clinical Psychologist Julie Zarifeh will be talking about resilience from her professional perspective – coupled with her personal experience of losing her husband and son within two weeks of each other; author Annie Anderson will speak about grief in the hard seasons and her experience of losing two babies; and there will be a speaker from Aviva talking about domestic violence – how did I get here? How do I get out?

As you can see – an incredible night of four inspiring women – Wednesday 11 August at The McFaddens Centre, St Albans. Tickets on sale 9am Tuesday from EventBrite.

For more info: Real Women Raw Stories

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