Marriage Celebrant Weddings, Funerals South Canterbury Lake Tekapo
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    • Celebrant + MC Combo Ultimate $999.
    • Personalised Weddings Designed for You $499
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    • Stonebridge Geraldine Elopement | Venue + Celebrant + Photographer from $1599
    • 'Kingsdown Manor Chapel Love' Elopement Celebrant + Photographer + Venue from $1499
    • Morelea Lakeside Tekapo Elopement | Venue + Celebrant + Photographer from $2799
    • Tekapo 'Lakeside Love' Elopement Celebrant + Photographer from $1,849.00
    • Timaru Love Elopement Package Celebrant + Photographer from $1249
    • 'Morelea Lakeside' Celebrant + Venue + Planner from $1799.00 Tekapo Morelea Lakeside
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Enactment Ideas

Symbolic Ceremony Enactments; Add a Special Element to Your Ceremony. Include Family, Cultural Traditions or I can Create Something Just for You

Make the most of your day

Wedding couple holding their colourful sand ceremony with Jade Whaley, Timaru marriage celebrant in New Zealand.
T + S had their sand ceremony after their wedding vows to represent the blending of their lives, friends and family. | Photo Jade Whaley
Each couple is different and some couples like to have extra elements added to their ceremony. There are many ways we can make it extra special to remember your day.

​​We can include meaningful symbolic rites  or enactments that reflect your history, culture or beliefs or appeal to you, can be woven into your ceremony. 

I can include children, parents, special people or pets.
Symbolic enactments create beautiful  memories and a unique keepsake for your wedding day. 

Ideas to make your ceremony unique

Whenua merge at Arowhenua Marae for a wedding by Jade Whaley Timaru marriage celebrant.
Whenua merge and unity candle enactments at Arowhenua Marae as part of T + L wedding ceremony. | Photo: Jade Whaley celebrant
We had a gorgeous whenua merge at L + T's wedding  at Arowhenua Marae. Soil from each persons ancesteral land, (where they were born) was carefully brought to the marae and placed in containers.

This powerful ceremony symbolised the joining of their souls, physical bodies, families, and connections to their sacred lands.
We were priviledged to have Maori Elder Tewera King lead this element of the ceremony.


I wrote and officiated the wedding ceremony with a unity candle. There was a beautiful haka as they took their first steps as a married couple.
​Here are a few ideas I am experienced in. The ones highlighted in gold will take you to a description.
  • ​Handfastings
  • Wine | Whiskey | Memory Box
  • Sand Ceremonies
  • Tree Planting Ceremony
  • Ring or Stone Warming
  • Message Stones 
  • Whanau Tree
  • Frame or Heart Signing
  • Whenua Merge
  • Candle Wax Ceremony
  • Well Wishing Vase
  • Unity Candle
  • Hand Print Picture
  • Homing Pigeon or Dove Release
  • Broom Jumping
  • Shot of whiskey or other tipple
  • Wedding Walk
  • Oathing Stone
  • Naming ceremony within wedding ceremony

Sand Ceremony

Wedding couple pouring sand into a vase during their marriage ceremony with Jade Whaley celebrant at Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Sand Ceremony for Scott + Courtney | Photo: Focus Photography
The principle of sand pouring is simple: two (or more) people blend different colours or types of sand to create a unique sand sculpture. 

The sand sculpture serves as a memento of a day, promises and commitments made. 

It symbolises the joining together of individuals and of families. The sand flowing symbolises the continued strength and journey of the newly formed union, as sand can never truly be divided.

Often couples will use sand from the beach of the town or city where they where born or coloured sand or salt.
​
NOTE: NZ Customs doesn't allow sand to be brought in from other countries. 

​Read your ultimate  guide to sand ceremonies.
Check out ​👉  SAND CEREMONY ~ all you need to know 
Jade Whaley NZ marriage celebrant with a sand ceremony at a Timaru wedding for Sophie and Ryan and son Keanu
Ryan + Sophie | Otaio | Photo: Jade
Coloured green and blue sand ceremony for a baby naming with Jade Whaley celebrant from Timaru, NZ
Freya's Baby Naming Colourful Sand | Waimate | Photo: Jade

Handfasting

Jade Whaley Marriage Celebrant with wedding couple tying a handfasting at Stonebridge in Geraldine, New Zealand.
Jesse + Hannah | Stonebridge | Photo: Ashlee Adam
The Handfasting Ceremony originates from expressions like "tying the knot" and "giving one's hand in marriage." This beautiful tradition dates back to old Celtic and pagan rituals. 

I have created a variety of personalised handfasting ceremonies for couples to celebrate their love.

The couple holds each other's hands while a ribbon, rope, or material cord binds their hands together. They then pull the ribbon to form a unity knot, or we can knot the cord and carefully pulling their hands out. We can put the cords into a ceremonial box, creating a beautiful keepsake.

I will  create  aunique ceremony which may be a mini handfasting ceremony, which may involve family, friends, or pets, or a full handfasting ceremony, incorporating pagan traditions.

There are no set rules—I will  make it unique to you 
Check out ​👉  HANDFASTING ~ all you need to know
Picture
Mhairi + Ben | Kingsdown Manor | Photo: Brad Reeve Photography
Jade Whaley Timaru Celebrant doing a hand fasting with a wedding couple at Caroline bay in South Canterbury
Shaun + Trudi | Caroline Bay | Photo: From couple

 Connect for an obligation free chat. Let's get you married!

Otago wedding couple married by Jade Whaley marriage celebrant at Oamaru Gardens.
Izzy + Iian had a gorgeous personalised wedding ceremony in Oamaru | Photo: From Jade
"​We can meet at my home in Queen Street, at a local cafe or bar, or we can zoom!

Let's chat and discuss what you want and need.
​
If you don't know what you want in a ceremony ​- ​not a problem,
​I am full of good ideas!"


Love, ​Jade x
Connect with Jade
Symbolic enactments to have during your wedding ceremony including handfastings, wine box, tree planting, ring warming, rose gifting and memory capsules. Jade Whaley Timaru and Lake Tekapo marriage celebrant in NZ.
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WEDDINGS

Ultimate Love - Celebrant + MC $999

Personalised Marriage Ceremonies  $500 

Elopements: Timaru, South Canterbury + Beyond ​

Small Weddings ​
Timaru

Registry Weddings ​​$90
​

​Symbolic Enactments Wedding

packages

Morelea Lakeside Tekapo Elopement
​Package: Venue + Celebrant +  Photographer 

Tekapo 'Lakeside Love' Elopement Packages Celebrant + Photographer

Kingsdown Chapel Elopement Packages Celebrant + Venue + Photographer

Timaru Love Elopement Package Celebrant + Photographer 

END OF LIFE

All End of Life Services

​Funerals 

Memorials

Pre-written Funeral Ceremony
​

​Death Cafe Timaru

CELEBRATIONS

Naming Ceremony

Vow Renewal Ceremony

MC - Events + Weddings
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​Speech Writing
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Jade is a Registered Independent Marriage + Funeral Celebrant in New Zealand. Validated Member of CANZ - Celebrants Aotearoa of New Zealand. Diploma in Celebrant Studies 2017 (NZ) from the Celebrant School Appointed by the DIA to conduct Registry Weddings 
Jade Whaley Timaru marriage celebrant seen in Bride and Groom, Canterbury Bride,  Stuff, The Courier, Nova, Pride Pledge and VCANZ celebrant.
Site made with 💜 in 🇳🇿 by Jade Whaley Celebrant © 2017 -2025
  • Home
  • About
    • Jade the Celebrant
    • Current Prices
  • Weddings
    • All Wedding Services
    • Celebrant + MC Combo Ultimate $999.
    • Personalised Weddings Designed for You $499
    • Micro Weddings (25 guests) from $299
    • Elopement Weddings (8 guests) from $255
    • Timaru Registry Wedding $90
    • Elopement Packages from $1249
  • Packages
    • Stonebridge Geraldine Elopement | Venue + Celebrant + Photographer from $1599
    • 'Kingsdown Manor Chapel Love' Elopement Celebrant + Photographer + Venue from $1499
    • Morelea Lakeside Tekapo Elopement | Venue + Celebrant + Photographer from $2799
    • Tekapo 'Lakeside Love' Elopement Celebrant + Photographer from $1,849.00
    • Timaru Love Elopement Package Celebrant + Photographer from $1249
    • 'Morelea Lakeside' Celebrant + Venue + Planner from $1799.00 Tekapo Morelea Lakeside
  • End of Life
    • End of Life Services
    • Pre-Written Funeral Ceremony - Your Last Wishes
    • Funerals
    • Memorials
    • The Ceremony
  • Celebrate
    • All Celebration Services
    • Naming | Baby Blessing
    • Vow Renewal in Timaru, South Canterbury + Beyond
  • For You
    • Writing Wedding Vows | Simply Guide
    • Sand Ceremony - All you need to know
    • NEW Wedding Vows + Readings
    • Pets at your Wedding - All you need to know
    • Symbolic Enactments for your Wedding Ceremony
    • Real Weddings
    • Videos of Weddings - Videographer Links
    • Death Cafe South Canterbury
    • Wedding Photographers
  • Blog
  • Reviews
  • Contact