Nate Dunn

Celebrant available for your wedding, civil union, or renewal of vows.

About Me
Becka, Nate and James

Hi, I'm Nate

Independent Wedding Celebrant, C.A.N.Z.

I originally became a celebrant after my friends Becka and James (in the video above) asked me to marry them in 2019.

Since then, I've enjoyed meeting and helping other couples with their big day. I enjoy the whole process - from that first meeting, to planning out a unique ceremony that best represents them and their relationship, and finally getting to see the smiles and laughter on the big day.

I look forward to hearing from you, and seeing how we can plan and deliver the most fun day ever.

  • Email : celebrant@nate.nz
  • Address : Mt Eden, Auckland
  • Age : 35
  • Ethnicity : NZ European / Niuean
Why should you choose me?

Why choose me?

Weddings can be a very stressful time. I promise to do the following six things that will help make your big day the most fun ever.

100% your way

Other than the boring legal stuff, we collaborate on exactly what you want included in the ceremony.

Most fun ever

I pride myself on getting lots of laughter and smiles (from you and your guests) at the ceremony.

Get the names right

Nothing worse than something pronounced wrong - I promise to nail those tricky names.

Tech Savvy

I love technology, so we can chat via Skype, use Google Docs, and I will use my Microsoft tablet on the day.

Travel

Getting married outside of Auckland? I'm happy to travel, just need to reimburse my reasonable expenses.

Whatever size, big or small

I'm comfortable with a big crowd, or just an intimate dinner with your friends and family.

What to expect

I work with you to make the planning completely stress-free, in these seven steps.

My standard fee is $500.

Months before

1. Our initial chat

We meet either in person, by phone or via a video call. I check to make sure I'm available, we discuss my fee, if I need to travel, and then confirm the day, time and location. You pay a 50% refundable deposit.

2. Plan your perfect ceremony

We have another chat, and we discuss how you want your ceremony to go. I can be as involved as you need me to be.

I then share a Google Doc with you, which we both work off going forward, and you can change this whenever you like.

Two-ish months to go
A month to go

3. Order your marriage licence

You need to do this part and I recommend doing it a month out. It needs to be done (minimum of) three business days before, and it expires after three months. You'll need to note me down as your celebrant.

Click here to do this online.

4. Sort out the reception (optional)

If you've also selected me to be your M.C. at the reception, we chat about how the evening will run, what time dinner is served, and who is giving speeches.

Two weeks to go
A week to go

5. Finalise everything

We chat again, and I make sure you're 100% happy with the ceremony. I also check that we haven't missed anything, and confirm those last minute details.

The other 50% of my fee will also be due.

6. Practice makes perfect

Typically the evening before, we'll do a complete run through with the bridal party, so everyone knows what to do, how quick to walk down the aisle, and where to stand.

The day before
On the big day

7. Let's do this!

I first give a briefing to the guests before the bride arrives about if they can take their own photos or not, your rules around posting to social media, turning their phones off, and other housekeeping items.

For the ceremony, I follow the script exactly as we've discussed it, so it's what you planned for, and there's no unexpected surprises.

Immediately after the ceremony, I leave one copy of the signed wedding certificate with you, and electronically file the second copy with the registrar.

Happy couples

Don't just take my word for it - read what some of the other happy couples have to say about me.

Help! We also need an M.C. for the reception

I can help. As well as getting you hitched, I can make sure the festivities afterward run smoothly. I can liaise with the venue/caterers, introduce the speakers, and make sure the reception runs on time.

Let's chat

Registry Ceremonies

Not everyone wants to have a big wedding, so a cheap and cheerful option is to have a registry ceremony. A registry ceremony has a set cost ($90) and standard vows. You have to have it on a weekday, and not a public holiday. More info here.

At the ceremony I allow up to six people - the couple, two witnesses, and two additional guests. I use a nice, quiet park here in Mt Eden, and normally pick early afternoon for the ceremony, which lasts around 15 minutes.

Contact me on the form below if you'd like to proceed with this option.

Contact Me

Ready to have a yarn about your big day? Contact me through the form below, or email me: celebrant at nate dot nz.