How to get married in NZ
Choose the kind of ceremony you want then follow the step-by-step guide. You must get married by a celebrant.
In this section
Personalised ceremonies
Most marriage ceremonies in New Zealand are personalised. You work with a celebrant to design a ceremony that fits the style of your celebration and reflects your cultural, spiritual and personal preferences. You can have the ceremony at any time, date and place you want. It costs $150 for the marriage licence, plus the amount the celebrant charges for the ceremony. You write your own vows.
Registry ceremonies
A registry ceremony has standard vows and must take place during business hours on a weekday (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday). You cannot hold the ceremony on a public holiday. You must pay $150 for the marriage licence and a set fee of $90 for the ceremony, which you pay to the celebrant in advance. You should contact your celebrant before you apply for a marriage licence to make sure they will be available.