Brenda Chapman, Celebrant

16/04/2025

Congratulations Aman & Kiran 💞

They chose the garden on this windy day-lucky we were protected by the trees!

I wish you a happy fulfilling life together.

10/04/2025

Congratulations Rinkesh & Sonika 💞💞💞

A gorgeous couple with amazing henna on their wedding day - take a close look!

They are off to celebrate with their family and friends 🤩

03/04/2025

"The risk of love is loss, and the price of loss is grief. But the pain of grief is only a shadow when compared with the pain of never risking love." - Hillary Stanton Zunin

03/04/2025

I was stoked to receive feedback from A&A this week about their wedding ceremony in February, at McGrath Estate in the Waitakeres.

I send all of my couples a survey, so bear with me, it's a long post!

We really appreciated how experienced you were from beginning to end, which helped us greatly to understand how the ceremony would go and all the different ways we could make it special in our own way. We were also very grateful that you were open to us having our furbaby, Tui, present and involved in the ceremony despite being aware of situations where it hasn't gone well - we will forever have that special memory that he shared our day with us too. Another thing we are very grateful for is how you took charge of the ceremony rehearsal and allowed us multiple opportunities to practice various parts; which we realised the importance of only from that moment onwards - also helped the nerves then too.

We valued your organisation and communication the most leading up to our wedding day - it was especially helpful in solidifying our schedule for the day; which was passed on to the venue and vendors so everyone involved was on the same page.

We really can't think of anything we would have included that wasn't there already - especially after the meetings and emails - they were plenty enough to figure out how everything was to run, which it did very well.

We were most grateful on the day for meeting us prior to the ceremony beginning and re-organising/checking that everyone was ready and in their positions to start. That moment instantly put us at ease and we felt that everything was in control and in good hands with you leading the way. Thank you!

Was there anything that I missed/mucked up for you? We really can't think of anything! It was absolutely magical and we were so very happy with how it all went.

Thank you again so very much, Brenda, for all of your dedicated time, effort, patience, and empathetic service up to the day and more!

We really (obviously) could not have done that without you and feel very lucky that the universe brought us to you for our special day.

01/04/2025

This was a quick decision by the bride and groom - engaged for six years, but the wedding was organised in one week!

The bride’s Dad is ill, and everyone pulled together to make a very special day.

The bride’s childhood desk was used for our signing table.

Thanks Ashley & Dan. You are now legally married!💞💞💞

31/03/2025

These gorgeous men were married in my library last week, too much rain!

Such a deep love and big smiles on their wedding day.

Congratulations S&J

29/03/2025

Krystal and Alex were so excited to get married - and our garden proved a great setting.

On Friday morning, the sun shone and the temperature was just right.

Their family were in support, and of course, we had a few laughs too!

Congratulations!
💞💞💞💞💞

28/03/2025

Losaline and Anthony are Tongan heritage, and honoured their families wearing their traditional mats.
A lovely ceremony in my garden, surrounded and supported by their family.

22/03/2025

Celebrant on tour!

This was a hilarious start to the NZ House & Garden Tour in Cambridge.

I played corn hole at the red band stand, got all four bean bags in the hole!

So I got the choice of prizes - a new red band bucket hat! So good - great for the paddle board, kayak and garden!

Thanks

22/03/2025

Married these lovelies in my garden last week, along with some camera shy people!

Congratulations V&A 💞

Love and Laughter in the garden 🪴

16/03/2025

"Emma and I both thought you were wonderful!" emailed Bert.

It was a privilege to marry Bert and Emma in their garden at their home in St Helier's. Surrounded by their family, they legally committed to each other for the rest of their lives.

I love my work. What a joy to create beautiful ceremonies with couples.

14/03/2025

12/03/2025

Last night my darling husband and I celebrated our love and third wedding anniversary.

Finding love a second time in my life was unexpected and has made my heart sing.

03/03/2025

Happy couples married in my tropical garden this week in registry marriage ceremonies.
Such fun - short and sweet!

New New Zealanders (like myself from 🇨🇦 originally) lovely people from Korea and second couple from Thailand 🇹🇭

02/03/2025

Hilarity and solemn vows today for these gorgeous Irish women.

All the way from Dublin to be married in my garden and honeymooning around NZ for the next five weeks.

Congratulations Emily & Emma💞

28/02/2025

A glorious Saturday in Auckland to celebrate the love of Mathew and Jane.
What a joy to help this couple commit to each other, legally for life.

25/02/2025

Helping the groom relax before his bride arrives is a significant moment. Josh was a relaxed groom, and it was fun to have a laugh with him before Tifaine arrived.

Tifaine wanted me to read three passages from The Velveteen Rabbit, her favourite childhood book - all about loving the rabbit so much that it becomes real. It was a wonderful poignant reading reflecting on her childhood but also the genuineness of their love.

Then T&J Drank from the quaich - to honour Tifaine's Scottish heritage, and the blending of their two families.

The quaich ritual dates to circa 1589 and was supposedly first included during the wedding of King James VI and Princess Anna of Denmark. It’s a Scottish wedding ritual that symbolizes trust, loyalty, and friendship and represents the joining of their two families. In the Middle Ages, clans were often rivals. The chalice traditionally had two handles so the drinker could hold it with two hands, meaning there would be no spare hands to draw a weapon!

Wonderful photos from Lauren at Wildfolk Photography
www.wildfolkphotographyy.com