Simon and Vanessa’s ceremony was held on an absolute scorcher of a day at a stunning spot in Methven!
Read moreAlex & Kate
WOOLSHED WEDDING
10 DECEMBER 2020 - TIPAPA ESTATE, GRETA VALLEY
Alex and Kate were married at the beautiful Tipapa Estate on a gloriously sunny day. It was the perfect garden party - guests dressed to the nines and ready to celebrate in style! Musician Lee Martin set the scene, and photographer Susie Blatchford was there to capture every delicious moment. The bride and groom had worked closely with Kate from Collective Concepts to plan their bespoke ‘All for Love’ wedding package… and it was absolutely magical!
One of my favourite parts of the ceremony was Kate’s entrance with her Dad, Gavin. This is always such a significant moment between father and daughter - I am pretty sure every single person was reaching for the tissues (including me!).
I love getting to know couples and the journey they have shared leading up to their wedding day. Alex and Kate’s story began when they were just 15 - though Alex, thinking Kate was older than she really was and wanting to make a good first impression, lied and said he was 17. If ever there was a sign that two people were meant to be together, it would surely be the fact that these two lovebirds were born in the same hospital on the very same day… and years later, living in the same neighbourhood, their paths were destined to cross.
The pair chose to write their own vows - each starting with the qualities they loved about the other, and finishing with the same promises. “I promise to continue to love you, to respect and support you, to be patient with you, to work together with you to achieve our goals, to accept you unconditionally and to share my life with you forever.”
I loved everything about this couple and their wedding day. All the best for your next chapter - stay in touch! xx
AROHA NUI,
Vic xxx
I highly recommend checking out Collective Concepts ‘All for Love’ wedding packages - “Collective Concepts is proud to introduce Canterbury’s first bespoke all inclusive wedding packages where you can custom create your perfect day that is uniquely you, with the personal and professional guidance of Kate and the team at Collective Concepts, while working in collaboration with an experienced and talented group of wedding vendors all handpicked by you. We can’t wait to get to know you and support you on your wedding planning journey. How good does a wedding day sound where you just bring yourselves, your wedding rings and your marriage license, and let us take care of the rest!”
Musician - Lee Martin
Photographer - Susie Blatchford
Venue - Tipapa Estate
Wedding Planner - Collective Concepts
New Zealand Marriage Celebrants
Learning a little bit more about Marriage Celebrants…
Only those persons appointed by the Registrar-General as Marriage Celebrants and whose name appears in the List of Celebrants in the New Zealand Gazette have authority to solemnise marriages in New Zealand. I was excited to become registered as an Independent Marriage Celebrant on 5th June 2019 and later, to join the Celebrants Association of New Zealand (CANZ).
Why should you book a CANZ member as your Marriage Celebrant?
CANZ members create and facilitate ceremonies and rituals which respond to the diverse needs and values of New Zealand individuals, families and communities. In engaging a CANZ celebrant, you are gaining the assurance of employing a celebrant who belongs to the national professional body, a celebrant who has passed the association’s Code of Ethics and Professional Standards test, and a person who, more often than not, is committed to ongoing professional development with a strong network of fellow celebrants to call on if needed.
So, what is VCANZ?
CANZ has introduced a celebrant validation process known as VCANZ, which is a structured recognition of celebrant training, experience and professional development based on the CANZ body of knowledge. This gives couples additional certainty and greater comfort that a CANZ celebrant meets the professional standards of competency required for celebrant work. Also, only validated celebrants can legally perform Registry Ceremonies, no longer held at Births, Deaths and Marriages offices. I received my VCANZ status on 3rd June 2020 (and I cried LITERAL TEARS of joy!!!).
Why are Registry Ceremonies being held in the community?
Vaughan Millar (Senior Advisor at Services and Access - The Department of Internal Affairs) tells us more through a short history about the concept of validated CANZ celebrants performing registry ceremonies.
Like most change these days, it started with the Internet. In this case, marriage licence applications could be completed fully online from October 2018, which resulted in less walk-ins to a public counter. Other than signing declarations, the only other major work for the 47 registry offices was performing registry office marriages. With 10,000 appointed marriage celebrants, it made sense to give couples more options and a better customer experience by making better use of this pool of talent. It also provided an opportunity for more work for celebrants. Over the following 12 months the groundwork began to enable the outsourcing of registry weddings to celebrants in the community.
On 1 July 2019, the registry celebrant service was launched with 59 celebrants signed up in areas outside the centres where BDM had large offices – Christchurch, Wellington, Manukau and Auckland. The next step was taking advantage of the Wellington BDM office move early in 2020. The last day registry wedding ceremonies were held at the Wellington counter was on Friday, 31 January 2020 and on 1 February 2020, that work was handed over to VCANZ celebrants. The plan was to move registry office ceremonies in Christchurch, Manukau and Auckland to validated CANZ members on 1 December 2020 – similar to the process that had been successfully executed in Wellington. However, due to Covid19, this date was brought forward to early March 2020.
As of 12 May 2020, there are 129 registry celebrants spread across the length of New Zealand - BDM are out of the business of performing registry marriages, now sitting entirely with celebrants (including yours truly!).
What does this mean for YOU?
A celebrant is a deeply personal choice - someone who can connect with you and capture the essence of your true self. Their role is to share your story, encompassing your values and beliefs in a way that reflects your relationship. One of the most significant moments of my own wedding ceremony was when our celebrant, Sally, blessed us in te reo, grounding and connecting us to a particular place and time. For you, it may be a reading or a song, maybe a funny anecdote - your ceremony should be uniquely yours. In ten or twenty years time, you may not remember the exact words, but you will remember the way they made you feel. As a validated member of CANZ, and a lover of people and their stories, I am committed to creating something beautiful with you xx
AROHA NUI,
Vic xxx
*Please note: You can find out more about the different ceremonies I provide here.
Collective Concepts have a treat for you!
Introducing…
‘All for Love’ Bespoke Wedding Packages!
I am SO excited to be part of this incredible team and wanted to share some more information with you. How amazing does this sound!? Picture your wedding day… all you have to do is show up with your marriage licence and wedding rings, and Kate and her team will take care of the rest. Enjoy! xx
Collective Concepts is proud to introduce their ‘All for Love’ Bespoke Wedding Packages - all-inclusive packages where you can custom create your perfect day. You will work with Kate and the team at Collective Concepts, in collaboration with an experienced and talented group of wedding vendors (including me - just to toot my own horn) - all handpicked by you! Each wedding package is 100% customisable to suit your budget, preferred vendors and your own unique style.
There are three gorgeous venues - the rustic Tipapa Estate, luxurious Horotane Lodge, or intimate Taka Retreat - as well as a range of styling, florals, catering and cake vendors to choose from… and of course, some outstanding photographers to capture your special day!
Pop over to the website for step-by-step guidance to begin planning (this brochure may also come in handy). There are cost calculators to get a price estimate for 20, 40 or 60 guests, for a range of wedding celebrations from 3-6 hours - Kate really has thought of everything…
Mmmhmmm I hear you…. it’s dreamy, I know!! We can't wait to get to know you and support you on your wedding planning journey xxx Let’s create something beautiful together!
AROHA NUI,
Vic xxx
Get in touch with Kate and her team here:
email: weddings@collectiveconcepts.co.nz
phone: 0800 321 567
Mark & Cindy
THE OLIVE GROVE
FEBRUARY 29, 2020 - WAIPARA, CANTERBURY
“This ceremony will not create a relationship that does not already exist between you. It is, instead, an opportunity to celebrate your journey - as individuals, and together as a couple - surrounded by the people you love the most.”
Mark and Cindy were married at their home in Waipara, the beautiful ‘Olive Grove’. When I arrived, I was blown away by the gorgeous scenery. The marquee was set up on the lawn for the ceremony, as well as inside seating for the reception, the dance floor and DJ. I loved the understated elegance, enhanced by the olive branches and greenery in the florals. With the sides of the marquee up, the view of the olive trees was the perfect backdrop for the ceremony. The courtyard was decorated with festoon lights, wine barrels and wooden benches which tastefully complimented the stylish rustic theme.
I had a special moment with Cindy before the ceremony. She held my hands and told me she was ready. Her serenity was beautiful. Mark was overcome with emotion when Cindy walked down the aisle and I loved seeing his reaction - a very precious moment that I will treasure.
Mark and Cindy were surrounded by their family and friends, some travelling from the other side of the world to be there! Cindy’s mum was even able to share the experience through video call from Canada. Ah, the magic of technology… The family dogs were also included, adorned with sequinned bow ties (which they did not rate at all).
Mark and Cindy wrote their vows together, choosing to make promises based on their shared values and beliefs.
“I promise to respect and support you, to be patient and loving towards you, to work with you to achieve the things we value and dream of. I pledge to you all of these things from the bottom of my heart.”
Mark and Cindy really wanted to have a fantastic party with everyone and if the special sangria recipe was anything to go by, I have no doubt that their reception was an absolute ball! Melissa, their close friend and wedding planner from Social Events, organised everything SO well to ensure that Mark and Cindy had the best experience with all of their loved ones. Full credit to an amazing woman!
All the best for the next chapter in your already very special relationship xx
AROHA NUI,
Vic xxx
“Such a great experience to share our day with Vic, everything was perfect! She was so lovely to work with and took care of all the requirements for our marriage.”
“A huge thank you for the role you played in making Cindy & Mark’s wedding such an awesome day. The ceremony was just as they wanted and you created a beautiful energy and atmosphere. Such a pleasure working with you and I look forward to doing it again soon.”
Nadav & Kimmi
Nadav and Kimmi were married on a sunny day at their home in Kumeu, surrounded by their closest family and friends.
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