Nate Dunn - Wedding Celebrant

27/11/2023

Rhi and Cam

Photographer: Le Roex Media Weddings

22/11/2023

Judy and Nick

Photographer: Jonny Scott Photo

21/11/2023

Renee and Darren

Photographer: Jonny Scott Photo

13/11/2023

Yesterday I was back on Waiheke Island, and had the best time being the celebrant (and reception MC) for Mariah and Teina.

Meeting back in 2010, this lovely couple had to do their relationship long distance, as Teina was in Auckland and Mariah down at The Mount. Their proposal was at the Michael Savage Memorial Park, 10 years after their first date there.

A beautiful day, with lots of amazing speeches, songs and cultural performances. Definitely one of the most fun times I've ever had, and I can't believe I get to do this as a job!

11/11/2023

What a way to spend a Friday! Yesterday I got to marry Emma and Taylor in front of their family and friends, out at the Hunting Lodge - the weather was absolutely perfect.

Meeting through mutual friends, they kept bumping into each other at various parties and events. They were friends for a few years, and a trip to another mate's house helped them become official.

Such a fun day, and my first visit back to the Hunting Lodge in a few months. Such a great couple to work alongside, and I know they were partying it up well into the late hours.

08/11/2023

So much fun writing their story.. my biggest congrats again to Neesha and Kawhina.

06/11/2023

Bring on this beautiful, sunny weather for the upcoming season 🍻

27/10/2023

23/10/2023

Yesterday I had a ridiculously good time officiating at the wedding, and also the reception MC for Neesha and Kawhina.

Meeting back in 2011 while they were just teenagers, even a cancelled bus didn't stop this lovely couple from their first date. Their proposal in Thailand just a few years ago started off their engagement.

My first time out at Dellrian Gardens, such a cool spot out of the way. Thankfully the weather held out for such a good day with their family and friends.

21/10/2023

After taking 3.5 weeks off for an overseas holiday, what a way to get back into the season, by officiating at the wedding of Shayleen and Krish.

Proposing in Fiji last year on his birthday, Krish worked it all out with the resort they were staying at, to make sure it was the perfect overseas proposal.

I was lucky enough to stay with Krish and his groomsmen the night before, enjoying a BBQ and a few beersies. Definitely a fun bunch of family and friends, and such an amazing way to get back into the swing of things.
.. also snapped a sneaky selfie with the bridesmaids :D

06/10/2023

What an amazing way to start a reception than with a belly dancer, in a Zaffa (popular in Egyptian culture). Definitely the way to kick of a fun evening.

Congrats again to Shereen and Andre..

Aida Oryantal

03/10/2023

Happy Tuesday... gotta get in that bridal party and photographers selfie!

Congrats again to Shereen and Andre

29/09/2023

Happy Friday! What a way to not only end the week, but also an amazing wedding and reception, but with a cheeky shot of tequila.

My congrats again to Shereen and Andre from the past weekend.

25/09/2023

This past weekend, I had the absolute pleasure of officiating, and reception M.C., for Shereen and Andre.

Shereen, from the USA, and Andre, from Waiheke Island met in Barcelona at a private party for the crew off a cruise ship. After meeting and chatting for a few hours, thankfully they exchanged txt a few months later, and became a couple. Eight years later, thousands of miles, and they finally were getting married.

Such a fun mix of Americans, Aussies and Kiwis, who were an absolute blast to be around. So good to be back on Waiheke, and a brilliant way to spend a weekend.

17/09/2023

Yesterday not only did I have the honour of officiating for Paris & Boxi (and reception MC), but it was my 100th wedding officiated for 2023!

Meeting back in primary/intermediate school, this lovely couple had their first date at just 13 years old. For their engagement, since they are both big fans of Netflix, Boxi created a full Netflix style video, of all their favourite memories, finishing with the best line ever: "Thank you for all the great memories, let's create another."

So good to be back at the Glasshouse, for not only a fun wedding, but also a great reception, with yum food, lots of memories with the speeches, and a nice chance to boogie at the end.

30/08/2023

It was abit tricky to get Laura's brother Rhys to crack a big smile while walking his sister down the aisle, but a few helpful tips at the rehearsal, and some banter pre-ceremony helped our photographer Belle get this absolute cracker shot.

Love it!

27/08/2023

Yesterday was the first wedding of my 2023/2024 season and what a way to start! I had the pleasure of officiating and being the reception MC for Laura and Jack (I met them as guests at Steph & Dani's wedding back in January).

Laura's cousin Cheyney set them up, and after an unsuccessful hunt on Tinder, trying to match each other, Cheyney decided to be more upfront and just sent Jack Laura's number. A proposal in Santorini set this lovely couple on their way to getting married.

Such a good bunch of friends and family, everyone in such an upbeat mood, one of my favourite weddings to take. A brilliant start to my season, really looking forward to the rest of the weddings over these next few months.

SO GOOD TO BE BACK!!

21/08/2023

New profile picture... thanks to Ethan Lowry Photography for the snap.

03/08/2023

The wedding processional is such an important time. It was critical that Alana and Keith (her dad) not only paused in the right spots, so Keryn (the photographer) can get all those memorable shots, but also they need to be comfortable and relaxed, so their faces, the way they walk, the way they interact, they have those big smiles on the day and they both enjoy the moment.

Great shot of Keith greeting Tap, our groom too.

I love helping and coaching my couples on the day (and during the rehearsal); I give them lots of tips and tricks, so not only do we get those amazing photos, but also, most importantly, they fully enjoy the day.

What do I do exactly to achieve all this? You'll have to pick me as your celebrant to find out.

Venue was Mantells.
Photography by Keryn Sweeney Weddings .

31/07/2023

Happy Monday!

Why do I have my phone, Spotify open and a Bluetooth speaker?

I like to hype up my bridal party pre ceremony, make sure we're all in the right mood to have the most fun day ever. How do I do this? You'll need to pick me as your celebrant to find out... 😄

Photo by Ciara Mulligan Visuals

23/07/2023

Vows! No need to be nervous about writing your own, personal, heart felt vows to each other. I send you examples, I will help you as much as you need, plus I make sure both of your vows are about the same length, so there's no awkwardness on the day.

I love seeing the surprise/smiles/tears when couples tell each other much they really feel.

You won't forget them on the day either, as I have them on my tablet. All you need to do is hold hands, and read. If we need to pause for a tissue break, we can stop as many times as you need.

My most favourite part of every ceremony I officiate.

Photos by Ciara Mulligan Visuals

20/07/2023

Weddings are stressful. Months of preparation and planning all come to a crescendo on your big day.

I see emotions bubble up at various times during the ceremony. Our groom Ben is seeing his beautiful bride Bree for the first time, and it's my job to be the mate he needs to help him through this (I do like how Watto, the best man, is loving it 😂)

I don't enjoy couples experiencing stress and anxiety, however, with 250+ weddings officiated in my career, I am very, very good at minimising it, and helping you have the most fun day ever. I tell my couples all they need to do is smile and listen; I will direct the ceremony, and make sure they're doing the right things at the right times.

Plus I have tissues, So many tissues, more tissues than you'll ever need...

18/07/2023

Creating once in a lifetime moments like this, is why I absolutely adore being a celebrant.

My congrats again to Bree and Ben for having me.

Venue was The Officers Mess at Fort Takapuna. Photo by Ciara Mulligan Visuals.

14/07/2023

Photography by Ciara Mulligan Visuals

09/07/2023

A bit of a different view than my typical weddings!

Here's the view on the Picton to Wellington ferry. I'm driving home to Auckland after enjoying two and a half weeks in the south island on holiday.

25/06/2023

After a nice, chilled, seven week break, yesterday I had the privilege of being the celebrant and reception M.C. for Bahar and Ryan.

Meeting back in 2018 through work, it took Ryan a few goes to ask Bahar out, and from there they've been on adventures all of NZ, enjoying hiking, beaches and just travelling.

Such a fun mix of NZ and Persian cultures, some great speeches, and a really good bunch of family and friends. Also got to keep my name tag which has my name in Farsi! So cool!

Mubarak!

13/06/2023

That feeling when you've been planning your wedding for months, and the ceremony goes off without a hitch 😍

My congrats again to Hayley and Hannes (flanked by their two boys, Tommy and Rylan), from April this year.

Photography by Ignite photography
Venue The Red Barn

10/05/2023

My biggest thank-you to all my couples for the 2022/2023 season. My busiest season ever with 50 weddings done and dusted, and I feel very lucky to have been able to officiate at your weddings (and run 26 receptions as the M.C.). Thanks so much for having me.

The photo below is very much how I feel this season has gone 😁

(throw back to Sam and Malachai, who I married in March, at the Boatshed in Cambridge)

07/05/2023

Yesterday was my 50th big wedding for the 2022/2023 season, and what a way to finish it! I had the absolute pleasure of marrying and being the M.C. at the reception for Allie and Ivan.

They met on Tinder, and even after a few big hiccups at their first date, and Ivan's card declining at the bar they went to after dinner, this couple hit it off. Even some miscommunication around which hospital Ivan was at for some minor surgery a few months later, couldn't put a dampener on their relationship.

Such a great bunch of family and friends, a few speeches given in Italian, with (thankfully) the English translations. The highlight of the night definitely was the gender reveal (the cutting of the wedding cake was the reveal) for the child that the couple are expecting in September (man, what a surprise!)

I feel very lucky to finish my main season on such a high. My biggest thanks to all my couples who have picked me to be their celebrant, I feel very lucky to be able to do this job.

01/05/2023

Throwback to last Monday where I was able to marry Bree and Ben. What a way to start my week!

30/04/2023

My busy weekend continues, as yesterday I had an absolute blast officiating for, and being the M.C. for the reception for Alana and Tap.

Originally meeting on Tinder, Tap noticed they were both wearing the same Nike baseball cap in their profile photos, so he dropped the absolute pearler of a line: "I see we have the same hat". Smoooooth. 😆

Always good being at my local Mantells. The rain held out for us, and it was a great day full of fun, good speeches, yummy food, and lots of smiles. We played "last man standing" at the reception so all their guests could see how well they know the newlyweds.

The two fireplaces at Mantells, plus the various outdoor heaters were so good on the chilly Saturday night.

What a brilliant day!

Couple's shot by Keryn Sweeney Weddings . Videography by Flatroc Films .

29/04/2023

Yesterday I had the privilege of being the celebrant and the M.C. for the reception, for Todd and Tennille.

We did a ring warming during the ceremony, but in a format I've not done before - we passed the rings around all the guests, with each one saying a small prayer, or word of thanks, before the rings made their way back up to the front.

My first time also in the garden pergola at Kumeu Valley Estate. So nice that they have another spot to take weddings at.

26/04/2023

Yesterday I shot back down to Hamilton to do a post-wedding catch-up with Hayley and Hannes, who I married back on 1 April.

I'm always trying to be a better celebrant, so getting feedback from my couples post their big day is so crucial. Also, so good to have a few beers and reminisce about all the fun things that happened on the big day.

Hayley reminded me that I'm now forever part of their lives, something I'm more than happy to be 😁

25/04/2023

What a way to start the week and spend a Monday! Yesterday I had the privilege of marrying Bree and Ben, my first time out at the Officers' Mess.

Bree sent Ben a snapchat back on Crate Day 2019, and as a big cricket fan, Ben invited Bree to the embassy (aka the cricket flat), which soon became a regular occurrence. They became official in 2020, and then moved in together just before the COVID lockdown of 2020.

Such a fun day, lots of laughter, fun and a few tears... all and all, a ridiculously fun day.

(look at those amazing backgrounds shots out to Rangitoto, so so good!)

23/04/2023

Last night I was back out at one of my favourite venues, Kauri Bay Boomrock, to be the MC for the reception for Jenna and Max.

Such a good group of family and friends, lots of really heart felt speeches, all finished off with a professional first dance that Jenna and Max had been practicing for months.

So much fun!

21/04/2023

Not gonna lie, love me a good fire pit at a wedding 😁 The dry-cleaning bill afterwards is 100% worth it.

Photo by the brilliant Bethany Joy Photo.

20/04/2023

As well as being your celebrant, I can also M.C. your reception. My job is to keep the evening on schedule, make sure your family and friends who are doing a speech are standing in the right spot (so we can get those great photos) and they know how to use a microphone so everyone can hear.

Courtney and Rich just relaxed as I looked after them and their guests, and made sure everything ran nice and smoothly. Any hiccups, I'll work with the various vendors to make sure nobody notices.

Also, here's me doing the first toast. If you've been to one of the receptions I've hosted, you know it's an absolute banger 😁

17/04/2023

On Saturday I had the absolute privilege of marrying my friends, Kaz and Rob. My wife Leslie and I flew down to Palmerston North, and then drove the hour north to the beautiful Makoura Lodge.

Kaz, originally from the USA, met Rob while he was over in that part of the world doing Camp America. Their engagement was at the end of their 5 month hike of the Te Araroa trail, which stretches from Cape Reinga to Bluff, a 3,000km journey. Amazing!

Absolutely love being able to marry friends, and being able to stay on-site, it felt like a wedding weekend, rather than just the celebration on Saturday. Such an amazing time.

Photos by bethanyjoy.nz