Christchurch + North Canterbury Elopement Celebrant

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Lockdown Love: The Ultimate Love Guide – Part I

YES, the rumours are true, I have released the definitive guide for navigating you and your partner through this COVID-19 Level 4 lockdown period – with my Lockdown Love Lessons.

And, yes, it’s all a bit of fun, and no I’m not a couples counsellor… obviously…

So, how did this all start? Remember that day when PM Jacinda Ardern announced we were moving into lockdown, and everyone who wasn’t an essential worker, had to work from home? Who could forget…

OK, so you find yourself at home, working alongside your significant other for the first time. Or, you’re a stay-at-home parent and your main squeeze is suddenly now working from home. Fun, right?

My girl Sara Green messaged me that night cheekily asking for my top tips for getting through the next four weeks, and still liking her man, cos, you know, as the “Queen of Love” (her words not mine 😆) I must have some creative ideas. As she says: “Like, I still wanna be in love in 30 days.”

Girl, you’re not going to still like each other, you’re going to adore one other!

So, for a bit of fun, here are the first seven “lessons” I released over the course of Lockdown at Level 4:

Let’s start with the foundation of all things good: kindness. Instead of saying to your partner: “Would you STOP touching my bloody computer screen!” say, “Wow! Your hands are so clean right now! But would you kindly remove them from my screen?”
See, simple! Not only did you give your partner a compliment on how clean their hands are, during times such as these, you’re also giving them a clear direction on what you’d like them to discontinue doing.
Ahhhhh love in times of a lockdown.
Can we hit CTRL Z on yesterday? 😅
Or to put it into song: from the wise words of Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, “Could we start again, please?”
I know there are many of you wanting to rewind your first day of working in close proximity to your love, during these COVID-19 lockdown days. And the answer is – YES!!! If not, I’m in trouble 😆 Stressful times call for rewind measures! So, yes, go ahead and CTRL Z yesterday! ❤️
Do I really need to say anymore?
In times such as these (and actually any other time in the history of time), the mere suggestion of chips ‘n’ dip on offer is an absolute language of love.
Chippies for the win!
Look, I’m no couples counsellor or psychologist, (I mean, look at yesterday’s advice – “Chippies” 😆) but I find a bit of alone time works every time!
After four days together in the same house, living and working together, there’s bound to be a grrrrr moment.
Instead of competing for air time to get your point across, this is your chance to say, “Goodnight, I’m going to bed.” Even if it’s only 6.30pm. Some long hours away from each other is just what your relationship needs until you work out a routine for livin’ it up in each other’s grill for the next four weeks.
And, as P!nk says – “Go away, give me a chance to miss you…”
But, pretend your partner is singing it to you.
Take your leave, and enjoy some alone time. ❤️
Now’s the time to flip the lid on the age-old question: seat up, seat down?
Look, if your home is mostly boys, do yourself a favour – leave it up. Firstly, less cleaning (for whoever’s task it is) from when they don’t lift the seat up for themselves; less grizzling (“who left the bloody seat up?!; “Didn’t realise we lived in a zoo!” etc); AND most importantly – it shows a great deal of love in these times, through: less cleaning and less grizzling.
And from the famous, paraphrased words of Joe Cocker:
“You can leave the seat up.”
So, seat up for next four weeks? Let’s go….! 😆
Never has there been a greater time to show your ‘other’ how much you love them, by sharing the tele remote with them.
I’ve never really watched a lot of television, but one of my besties keeps introducing me to the greatest shows, and Outlander is one of the best programmes on Earth (and books, to be fair) and we’re a liiiiiiiittle bit addicted to the storyline (and Jamie… 😆).
Last season, we both watched the new releases from our own homes by pressing play on Lightbox at the exact same time and would commentate to each other along the way over Messenger. Yes, we’re crazy cat ladies (although, neither of us has an actual cat but I do have a dog and she has a dog brother)… I digress…
My point is (and I’m getting to it now), don’t be a tele hog. No one owns the remote (although some may dispute that they in fact DO own the remote AND the tele). Again, I digress.
Share! Let them watch their favourite show. It may be ‘My 600LB Life’; it might be a repeat of some World Cup Finals of their third favourite sport. Whatever it is, let’s just share the control of whatever is on the tele, because when you share (especially during times of lockdown when they’re the only other person/people in your ‘bubble’) people will love and appreciate you that much more.
For parents, we’re ‘celebrating’ making it to one full week of being home with our tiny tornadoes! 🥂
I think the hardest thing was when schools were suddenly closed down within hours, we weren’t fully prepped for it. I mean, we kinda knew it was coming, but it was like giving birth: when you’re preggers you know it’s gonna happen but when your waters break – “OMG! That was totally unexpected!” Anyway, as usual I’m off track!
“How’s your brain doing?” is an actual question that was asked in our home this week. Because this is a great question to ask, as your brain is where everything starts… Brain is foggy? Take a walk. Brain is tired? Take a nap.
Brain is over being in lockdown? Talk it out.
Even better – talk and walk it out!
From me to you: how’s your brain?
Hope you and your other are doing OK xo

As you can see from this list, especially with the likes of “chippies” and “Outlander“, I really have no great insight into how any couple can ensure their relationship endures this unusual situation we all find ourselves in, BUT if we share a laugh then perhaps it’ll make it a little easier 🤷‍♀️

Part II coming tomorrow.

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.

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

Review: Large-scale musical fits beautifully in small theatre

Mary Poppins. Presented by The Court Theatre, Christchurch. Co-Director/Choreographer Stephen Robertson, Co-Director Ross Gumbley. Musical Director Richard Marrett. 21 November 2015 – 30 January 2016. Reviewed by Kineta Knight Booker.

Watching a musical after the cast has put on over 60 performances, while expecting them to be as fresh as opening night and they deliver, shows the absolute endurance of a company.

The Court Theatre’s summer season is New Zealand’s first ever professional production of the Disney Broadway musical. And, to be fair, it could have gone either way. If you think of the big stages with extremely large theatres, seating hundreds upon hundreds of excited theatre-goers this show would be used to, compared to the intimate setting of The Court, there’s quite a difference. But boy did it work.

Having seen this production on Broadway, one can’t help but compare. However, sitting there mesmerised by The Court’s version, I somehow found myself lost in the magical world of Mary (Laura Bunting) and her chimney-sweep friend Bert (Jan Di Pietro). When Bunting and Di Pietro are on stage, Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke are long gone from your mind, as they bring their very own portrayal of these characters to the show. Bunting has a stunning stage presence and beautiful voice, and Di Pietro’s charm and wit shines through like none other.

The musical is staged with intelligence – what a team Robertson and Gumbley make. Their company numbers (of which there are many) were choreographed with expert guidance, and the skill of the performers was exceptional. In a normal run of this show, where usually there’d be an orchestra pit and possibly dozens of other rows of theatre-goers in the way, with The Court’s version the stage is so very close, however, never confrontational, but always spell-binding.

Other notable moments were the famous Feed the Birds scene, played by Lucy Porter, and the arrival (and departure!) of the unpleasant Miss Andrew, who was portrayed wonderfully by Angela Johnson. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious was rich and vibrant (thanks to Robertson’s costume designs and choreography), and Step in Time was truly mesmerising.

The only downside to this performance, which was driven perfectly by Richard Marrett’s orchestra, was when it was time to leave the theatre, back to a reality without Mary Poppins. Even Mary’s flying exit was “practically perfect in every way”. The Court Theatre have truly put on the biggest and brightest summer show yet, but just how will they top it next Christmas?

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