How to Get Married in Christchurch NZ | Marriage Celebrant Guide
If you’re planning to get married in Christchurch, one of the first things you’ll realise is that there are a few legal steps to tick off before the big day - nothing overly complicated (I promise!)
As a Christchurch marriage celebrant, I walk couples through this process all the time, so here’s a simple breakdown of how it all works.
1. Choose your celebrant
First things first - you’ll need a registered marriage celebrant to legally marry you in New Zealand.
This is the person who:
conducts your ceremony
completes your legal paperwork
lodges your marriage with Births, Deaths and Marriages
You can choose someone who feels like the right fit for your day, personality-wise and style-wise. This is important - your celebrant sets the tone for your ceremony.
2. Apply for your marriage licence
Once you’ve got your celebrant sorted, you’ll apply for your NZ Marriage Licence.
This is done through the Department of Internal Affairs and can be completed online. You’ll need:
your ID (passport or birth certificate)
details of your ceremony
your celebrant’s details
It’s valid for 3 months, so timing matters - you don’t want it sitting around too long before your wedding day.
3. Your ceremony details
You’ll confirm:
where your ceremony will take place
the date and time
your two witnesses (these can be friends, family or someone completely random!)
Your celebrant will help guide you through what’s needed so nothing gets missed.
4. The legal wording (this surprises people!)
In New Zealand, the legal part of your ceremony is actually very short.
You only need to say a legal declaration using each other’s full names - the rest of your ceremony (your vows, readings, personal story) is completely up to you.
This is why ceremonies here can feel so personal and relaxed compared to what people often expect.
5. The ceremony itself
On the day, your celebrant will:
lead your ceremony
guide you through the legal declaration
manage the flow of everything (so you don’t have to think about it)
make sure your paperwork is signed correctly afterwards
Most importantly, the goal is for you to feel present and relaxed - not worried about what comes next.
6. After the ceremony
Once you’re officially married, your celebrant sends your paperwork to Births, Deaths and Marriages, and your marriage is legally registered.
Then you’re done - and you can focus on the important part: celebrating.
Final thoughts
Getting married in Christchurch is actually a really simple process once you understand the steps. Most couples are surprised by how easy the legal side is - the real focus becomes creating a ceremony that feels personal, relaxed, and true to you.
If you’re planning your wedding and want help creating a ceremony that feels like you, I’m always happy to chat it through over a coffee (or wine!)
Image: Claudia Pyke Photography
https://www.claudiapykephoto.com/
Location: Hagley Park, Christchurch
