Author Archives: Melanie Stuart

Wedding Tips for the PM?? In recent weeks, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford announced their engagement. There followed a flurry of rapidly scrambled (and in some cases poorly sub-edited) op-ed pieces published on “the socials” and hard copy local rags. Where did he pop the question? Did her bodyguard notice? Where would they tie … Read More

Ceremonies in which children participate are wonderful. I’m not talking about the angst some couples have re: how to word their invitations to diplomatically exclude children from the guest list. I AM talking about actively and lovingly INCLUDING your children in your ceremony. Whether they are residing in the bump under your wedding gown, or they are your energetic toddlers, … Read More

If there’s one thing I have learned in my career as a marriage celebrant, it’s that the rehearsal is a vital element of your wedding planning. Whether it takes place a day, or a week, before your “big day”, the rehearsal is the key moment when suddenly, things become very “real”. I absolutely LOVE rehearsals. We can be relaxed and … Read More