Christchurch + North Canterbury Elopement Celebrant

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Choosing the right celebrant

Dressing beautifully, spending precious time with your family and friends, drinking champagne, and laughing and enjoying your day away is exactly what you should look forward to at your wedding. But don’t forget to make it legal! Book a celebrant.

If you think it’s a bit of a drag meeting lots of celebrants to find the right fit for you, here’s a couple of tips to see who could make a short list before you even start approaching people.

  • Check out their website. What’s it like? Is it engaging? Informative? Do they have a calendar? Are they available on your wedding date?
  • Check their Facebook. Do they sound and look interesting? What’s their feedback like? How do they communicate and talk with others on their Facebook page?
  • Are they a member of CANZ (Celebrants Association of New Zealand)? You should find this information on their website, if not, look them up on www.celebrantsassociation.co.nz. It’s not mandatory for a celebrant to be a member but it’s a professional group and they support celebrants to deliver high-quality services

By finding out a little bit about each celebrant on their website and Facebook page, it gives you insight into what they’re like rather than just a name on a computer screen.

Once you’ve set a time to meet here are some things to think about:

  • Do you like them? Do they seem caring and kind? Obvious questions but you’ve got to like them cos they’ll be there when you’re most vulnerable – standing in front of many people, speaking your vows and saying “I do”
  • Are they warm and friendly? It’s not just you and your bridal party that will spend time with them, it’s your families and your guests too before you arrive
  • Are they enthusiastic and listen to what you want? If they don’t think your idea will work, they’re not right for you. It is your day, and a good celebrant will want you to fulfill your dream of 100 kittens walking you down the aisle
  • What do they charge, and what do they offer as part of their fee? Is it within your budget? Maybe it’s $50 or $100 more than you’d hoped, but my advice is go for them if they’re your perfect match.

Sure, it’s like a job interview or an awkward first date, but if they’re the right celebrant fit for you, don’t be shy in telling them at the meeting. You wouldn’t want the good one snapped up by another couple who loves them the very next day.

Weddings needn’t take long to plan

There are lots of things to consider for your wedding but it need not take long to plan, writes Christchurch marriage celebrant Kineta Booker.

So, you just got engaged at the top of Conical Hill, and you’re very happily walking back down to the Hanmer village, hand-in-hand with your brand new fiancé, admiring your sparkling new diamond, whilst planning your whole wedding in your head, when he turns to you and says “You know we don’t have to get married right away, eh?”

Not how it went for you? Oh, maybe that was just me.

So, I ignored him and six months later we were married.

I know what you’re thinking, isn’t “obey” in wedding vows. Not ours.

And, besides, he wasn’t my husband at that point.

Six months to plan a wedding? Yes, it can definitely be done.

  • Chat with your partner about what their vision is. Discuss budget, number of guests, anything they specifically want to include
  • Get yourself in front of a computer. Open a new document – this is where you’ll download all your ideas onto. This can be anything from flowers to dresses (for wedding dress inspiration you can start here) and everything in between! Delete what you don’t need as you go along. You don’t want the file to become crowded with old ideas
  • On Facebook there are some great groups for engaged couples. It’s a community of people with a big thing in common – weddings! They’re either recent brides or brides-to-be. Check out Wedding Discussion Group – New Zealand, and Christchurch Brides NZ Ideas, Advice & Support
  • Pinterest is a good place to find themes and get great ideas, but beware – you may come away with too many. Find what you’re looking for and get out
  • Venues: What are you looking for? BYO option?
  • Photographers: Do you like their work? Fit your budget? Make sure you spend plenty of time researching photographers as you want the perfect fit for your wedding. Don’t be afraid to ask for samples of their work. Some photographers will have an online gallery you can check out. For example, olgatopchii.com has various galleries for different events, making it easy for you to do your research.
  • Celebrants: Are they available? Do you click?

Once you have all the main things organised, everything else will fall into place quickly. And the ideas shared on brides’ online forums, in real time, makes organising a wedding in a shorter time frame easy to do with like-minded cheerleaders doing the same thing.

Know your theme

When it comes to planning your wedding day, knowing where to start is often the hardest part, writes Kineta Booker.

Some people grow up knowing exactly what they want on their big day, changing things in their minds along the way as trends and fashion change.

But what if ideas don’t come flowing as you thought they might? These tips might be a good starting place for you:

  • What do you want from your wedding? Do you want it to be a simple, elegant affair? Less than 80 guests? More than 150? Know exactly what you want.
  • What is your budget? $2000? $10,000? More?
  • What is your theme? Will you go with a current trend? Will you forget the latest trends and throw a superhero-themed wedding? Know which theme you want, then everything else seems to slot into place.
  • Where will it be? A local chapel with the reception in the church hall? A beautiful garden? Perhaps a destination wedding?
  • Who is coming? This is a big deal. You don’t want to accidentally leave anyone that matters off the list. It’s happened before and you don’t want to be the one that creates hurt and awkwardness among friends and family.
  • Who’s catering? Which photographer will you choose? What music will you walk up the aisle to, and dance your first dance to? Who’s in your wedding party? Who is doing your makeup? What will you wear? What will everyone else wear?

There are literally a hundred questions to ask, but only one to focus on for now: what is your theme?

When designing your wedding, as that’s exactly what you’re doing, having a theme is the first thing you want to do. Know your theme. Start with a blank Word document and type out everything that comes to mind. Do some research. If you want to go with a current trend Pinterest is always going to be a great starting place. It can either be your best friend or give you an overwhelming sense of confusion and dread.

Recent bride Lily Simons says ‘boho’ is trending at the moment – “big floral arrangements are everywhere, floral crowns, and boho dresses that only Victoria’s Secret models can wear.”

Simons loves the leafy green look with flowers hanging as far as the eye can see but feels this look may date. She believes “looking like a fairy on your wedding day is devine: I would have loved to incorporate this but it didn’t suit my natural state as a person. I am vintage and I love bringing old with new.”

Rather than go for the current boho trend, Simons went for ‘rustic carnivals’. “People say [this] has been done but I feel it had classic, simple elements. My dress lace was made to look older – more ‘Gatsby classic’ with a jewelled head piece for a ‘classic romantic’. I had a champagne lace which is also very current but I added my own twists of awesome.”

Her advice is “do what you know and love! Think about your images 20 years from now. Not about what Pinterest or Vogue Weddings are telling you to do. Just do you!”

Destination-wedding bride Jess Williams sees the current trends as anything DIY, photobooths, vintage, pastel colours and natural materials.

Williams says she got carried away with wanting to incorporate things into her wedding but it wasn’t practical taking it over in her luggage, so instead of going with a current trend she ended up as ‘Fiji’ being her theme.

She encourages other brides to “keep to your own style and what suits you. It’s easy to try and keep up with everyone else. Pinterest can sometimes be your enemy and get overwhelming and then you have too many ideas. Keep it simple and have a few special things. Stick to budget.” Williams says it’s easy to stray, so recommends checking out cheaper department stores, op shops and fairs to keep costs down, as well as looking at sites to book wedding bands Kent based just as one example.

Doing research and not being afraid to ask the silly questions, is also important, she says. “It will put your ‘bridezilla’ mind at ease in regard to destination weddings. Williams found joining a Facebook page for Fiji brides was helpful at finding all the information she needed – from nail colours to filling out wedding applications. If Fiji is the main theme throughout the wedding, the honeymoon could be had at a luxury five-star fiji resort on a beautiful exotic island, that the couple will love and enjoy as their own private area.

Williams’ final piece of advice – don’t sweat the small stuff: “On the day I didn’t even notice the small things you spent so much time worrying about.”

Kineta Booker – Christchurch Celebrant at Great NZ Bridal Show

If you’re planning a wedding and looking for some fabulous inspiration for your big day, grab a friend or your partner and head to the Great NZ Bridal Show.

And if you’re still yet to book your marriage celebrant, stop by my stand because I’ve got some wee treats I’d love to share with you.

‘Print on Wood’ by Printville

This is my favourite one: everyone who books with me before the end of April, will go in the draw for an original hand-made ‘Print on Wood’ from Printville. The talented Danny Knight-Baré will handcraft your favourite photo onto wood, which is a unique and fresh way to showcase the best moments of your life. It’s an alternative to traditional canvas and framed prints, made by hand here in Christchurch.

Find out more about them at www.printville.co.nz

See you Sunday at Addington Events Centre – 9am-3.30pm.

'Print on Wood' by Printville

‘Print on Wood’ by Printville

WIN – with NZ Opera’s The Mikado

W I N !!

Imagine having to marry someone you didn’t love so you fled your hometown to escape the nuptials only to meet the love of your life!!

That’s the story of The Mikado – which opens next Tuesday at the Isaac Theatre Royal. And here’s a rare opportunity to WIN a double pass to New Zealand Opera‘s production!

The Mikado, New Zealand Opera, ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand, Sunday, February 12, 2017.Photo: David Rowland / One-Image.com

All you need to do is:
– LIKE Kineta Booker – Christchurch Celebrant page
– LIKE New Zealand Opera page
– Tag someone on my celebrant page who you’d like to take! (You can tag as many people as you like. Just give each person a new comment)

The draw will take place 10am this Friday (4 March) by a random number generator. You can book your tickets here. GOOD LUCK! xo

www.kinetabooker.com

And the Valentine’s Day winner is…

And the winner of my ‘Love is love is LOVE’ this Valentine’s Day competition, for the double pass to Showbiz Christchurch‘s Priscilla Queen of the Desert AND some delicious fudge from Mary Gray Confections Ltd is…..

Sarah Keenan !!

 

Congratulations Sarah! Flick me a message so I can get these awesome prizes to you!

Thanks so much for the 161 votes we had!

Priscilla opens at the Isaac Theatre Royal on Friday March 24. Find more information: http://isaactheatreroyal.co.nz/…/priscilla-queen-of-the-de…/

www.kinetabooker.com

Backstage:Weddings NZ – Choosing a Celebrant

Celebrants Scott Koorey and Kineta Booker

Celebrants Scott Koorey and Kineta Booker

When it comes to planning your wedding, one person you’ll definitely need to book is a celebrant – as they are the ones that officially get you hitched!

So the big questions are – where do I find one, and what do I look for in a celebrant?

This podcast is a two-for-one: two awesome Christchurch celebrants chatting it out in one podcast. Scott Koorey and Kineta Booker discuss what the celebrant’s role is and so much more.

Definitely worth a listen! You can find out more about them at www.scottkoorey.nz and www.kinetabooker.com

Backstage Podcast:Weddings NZ is a brand new series for Backstage Podcast. You can find out more about it at kinetabooker.com/news

You can listen to the podcast with Scott and Kineta here:

And the winner is….

It is with great pleasure that I announce the winner of my free celebrant services – Adelle Anderson!!

Congratulations Adelle and your fiancé Sam. I truly can’t wait to work with you both towards crafting a beautiful wedding ceremony especially for you x

I was totally blown away by the 71 votes I received for this competition, and to celebrate I’ll have a wee Valentine’s Day treat in everyone’s Messenger inboxes shortly x

Love is love is LOVE this Valentine’s Day!

Love is love is LOVE this Valentine’s Day!

WIN a double pass to Showbiz Christchurch‘s Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. All you need to do is:
– ‘Like’ the Showbiz Christchurch page
– ‘Like’ the Kineta Booker – Christchurch Celebrant page
– Tag in someone you love on my FB page! (If, like me, you love lots of people, tag them all! Just give each a new comment)

Here’s a photo of Bernadette and Bob from the Christchurch cast

Winner will be drawn this Sunday 19th February (cos it’s really Valentine’s week after all!) Good luck!

One day to go!

Hello!! As a recently registered marriage and civil union celebrant, I would love to offer my services for FREE to one couple getting married in the Christchurch area! If you know a couple (or are a couple) who would love a fun, friendly, vibrant and contemporary celebrant, please ‘like’ my Facebook page and vote for them by messaging me. Entries close midnight February 13, 2017, and will be announced on Valentines Day! ROMANCE! Ha!

You can read more about me at kinetabooker.com

Please note: I’ll have to be available on your wedding date, of course! Good luck!

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