A perfectly small wedding under COVID-19 Level 2

COVID-19 – the perfect excuse for a small wedding ...

How to prune the guest list is one of the perennial topics on wedding chat groups. Guests = money, and when you haven’t seen Uncle Charlie since you were two years old, do you really want to add him to your wedding list? Or, all the cousins AND their partners, not to mention their out-of-control children? COVID-19 gives couples the perfect opportunity to opt for a small wedding (okay, a very very tiny wedding), while pretending that, under different circumstances, you would have invited absolutely EVERYONE!

Under our current Level 2 conditions, a wedding can consist of no more than 10 people, including the bride, groom and celebrant. That leaves enough for two sets of parents, two supporters, and one spare––maybe the photographer? Any two of these can be the witnesses. And with no after-party allowed, your group of 10 can proceed to a restaurant to finish off your day with some fine dining. A small but special day, and at the end of it you will be MARRIED, which is really the point of the whole exercise.

Think of the money and stress you will save!  Then further down the track, when life has hopefully returned to normal, you can have a big bash to celebrate, without the “wedding” tag attached to it, which automatically ensures the cost will be way cheaper, and no need to invite Uncle Charlie, who will have forgotten all about you again by then.

The new style Registry Office weddings

Great news!

 Registry-Office weddings have now been outsourced to selected celebrants in your chosen area. You no longer go to the Department of Internal Affairs office, or your local ‘courthouse’ – you can now have a Registry-style wedding at a location of your choice, by arrangement with a celebrant who is authorised to conduct this type of ceremony.

 First step is to decide where in New Zealand you want the wedding to take place. Then, when you apply for your marriage licence, follow the path for a Registry Office wedding – you’ll have the opportunity to select a celebrant based on your chosen location. The celebrant will be sent the relevant paperwork within 2-3 days, and will then get in touch with you to make the arrangements.

 You can agree on a venue when you contact the celebrant. This may be at a beach, or another outdoor setting, at your own home, or at the celebrant’s home or office, or you could hire a meeting room at a shared workspace. Whatever suits you and your celebrant.

 A registry ceremony has a set cost and standard vows, and you have to have it on a weekday, and not a weekend or public holiday. There are two set ceremonies to choose from, plus a te reo version of both. You need to provide two witnesses, and you can have a small number of other guests if you wish. A perfect scenario for the current times.