Covid-19- your wedding cancelled or postponed

​Covid-19 / Coronavirus has taken over all of our everyday lives as NZ prepares for lockdown. It is in our conversations, thoughts newsfeeds, tv and social media.
Some of my couples ( MY OWN WEDDING included) have had to postpone our weddings This unexpected curve ball was not expected when we set our date.. Now the decision is,  when to set the new date, as we realistically do not know when this will pandemic will end/subside. For those couples that have their date set later on in 2020 they are worrying about whether their wedding day will go ahead or if they will need to postpone to next year. 
 
As your celebrant I can work with you! I will transfer your date to a new date ( that I am available) at no extra cost. You can still get excited to marry your honey, whether it is your original date or a new one in the not-so-distant future.

​YOUR MARRIAGE LICENCE ~ Refunds & expiration
 Marriage licences are valid until the date of expiry, that being 3 months from the date of issue. If couples want to postpone their wedding as a result of the pandemic, there are options:

• Delay having the marriage, but not later than when the marriage licence expires. This in the hope that the situation has improved within 3 months.
• If the couple plan to get married after their licence expires, they can apply for a refund now. If approved, the refund will include the licence fee and the marriage certificate, if ordered. When the couple are ready to get married they can apply for a new licence at https://marriages.services.govt.nz.
• Couples can request a refund by emailing bdm.nz@dia.govt.nz with the subject heading "Request for marriage licence refund".

In the body of the email include:
Reason for refund e.g. Level 4 alert, NZ in lockdown
Both partners’ full names and contact details (e.g., email, phone number etc.)
 
Refunds currently take about 4 weeks to process.

​GETTING MARRIED DURING LOCKDOWN

• Currently I cannot and will not legally marry anyone in lockdown. It is against the law.        

 
THE NEXT FEW MONTHS  Let’s make a plan
If you have already booked with me to marry you we can use this time during lockdown to get started on your wedding ceremony. We can skype or facetime and discuss your wedding. I will ask about your love story, get to know you both, to write a ceremony that represents you. I will thread all this  throughout your unique  ceremony. 
 
Whether you are keeping your fingers crossed and remaining hopeful for your current date, or  if you have had to postpone your date, we can still do this!
 
You can use this time to work out all of the other details for your day. Ideas for seating plans, looking for inspo for your wedding cake or getting started on your wedding vows  

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​Remember that marriage is the end goal. 
Your wedding day is where you get to celebrate your love for each other!
          
TO ALL MY COUPLES – keep in contact! 
I am carrying on until told otherwise.  Remember to check in when it comes to making changes to your wedding date.