Terms & Conditions
1. Description of Services
As your Marriage Celebrant, the celebrant’s role includes:
The creation of an elopement marriage ceremony, including provision of draft ceremony scripts and script adjustment until both parties agree on the final script.
The supply of relevant resources pertaining to your ceremony at the discretion of the celebrant.
Should the clients wish to have a rehearsal, the carrying out of the clients’ rehearsal, prior to the event taking place.
The reminder to apply a Marriage Licence from Births, Deaths and Marriages at a cost to the clients at least two months prior to the clients’ event.
Services of a fully qualified and enthusiastic celebrant, including solemnising the clients’ marriage as per the requirements of the Marriage Act 1955 and the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 1995.
2. The Clients’ Responsibilities
It is the clients’ responsibility to apply and pay for a valid marriage licence and provide a copy to the celebrant. The client agrees that failure to provide a valid Marriage Licence prior to, or at the time or the event, means that the celebrant cannot legally perform the ceremony. The celebrant will complete the marriage paperwork on the day of the event and return it to BDM within 10 days of the event occurring. The client will not automatically receive an official marriage certificate unless they request and pay for a certified copy from Births, Deaths and Marriages NZ.
If the event includes a sand ceremony, a remembrance candle, or any other special feature(s), the client is responsible for providing all of the equipment required and making sure it is in working order.
If the clients choose to have a rehearsal, the date, time and/or location of the rehearsal must be communicated in writing by the client and approved by the celebrant in writing prior to the rehearsal.
Any changes to this agreement including, but not limited to, date, time and/or location of the ceremony must be communicated in writing by the clients and approved by the celebrant in writing prior to the event. Any change to the venue or time of the ceremony due to bad weather or other reason on the day of the event will need to be communicated to the celebrant at least two hours prior to the event to ensure there is sufficient travel time to the alternative venue or that the updated time is able to be attended by the celebrant. Should this not be followed, the celebrant cannot be held responsible for being late or unavailable.
Any accommodation and travel required for ceremonies and/or rehearsals outside of Christchurch City is subject to accommodation and/or travel charges, which will be confirmed by the celebrant at the time of booking and will be paid by the clients to the celebrant as per clause 6d.
3. Conditions
The celebrant and the clients understand the celebrant’s role is that of a Marriage Celebrant and pertains only to their actual marriage ceremony, unless otherwise agreed upon.
Any timing and other aspects for which the celebrant is responsible are at the discretion of the celebrant should any disruptions arise but will remain as close to the timeline and plan for the day as possible, as supplied by the clients.
The celebrant reserves the right to leave the venue one hour after the start time if both parties have not arrived at the ceremony venue, or if the ceremony cannot proceed for any reason outside of the celebrant’s control.
The client is responsible for obtaining permission from their photographer before sharing images with the celebrant. Should the client not agree that the celebrant may use images and stories from the event for any means of promotion, including advertising and display on website, blog or social media, notice must be given in writing. Clients waive the right to payment, royalties, or any other consideration for the use of images or stories.
The written ceremony as prepared by the celebrant, as well as any resources supplied to the client remains the celebrant’s intellectual property, and at no time are the clients permitted to duplicate, copy, share, sell or reproduce any content.
The celebrant will not be held liable for any issues beyond their control, including but not limited to force majeure, Acts of God, bad weather, accidents, lighting, interference from guests or photographers, other service providers’ performances or products, loss of any property or goods by the clients, their wedding suppliers and their guests attending the wedding.
Any liability of the part of the celebrant will be limited to the amount of monies paid by the clients.
The celebrant reserves the right to remove themselves and any of their equipment at any time if there appears to be potential danger to themselves or their equipment. This includes but is not limited to intoxicated people; hazardous activities such as fireworks; careless discharge of firearms; heavy smoking or drug use; nudity; illegal activities. No refund or compensation will be given in such cases.
4. Cancellations, Changes & Postponements
If the clients choose to cancel their event, the following conditions apply:
If the clients cancel within 30 days of the event taking place, the celebrant reserves the right to charge the full agreed fee, including for services due to be performed on the wedding day. Any further refund will be at the discretion of the celebrant.
If the clients choose to cancel their event outside of the above timeline, the celebrant will refund all previously paid fees, excluding the non-refundable booking fee.
If the clients choose to postpone their event, the following may occur:
If the clients postpone their event within 14 days of the event taking place, it will require another agreement to be signed and another booking fee to be paid.
If the clients postpone their event outside of the above timeline, the clients may transfer their booking fee to ONE other date within 12 months.
If the celebrant is unable to commit to the postponement date, they reserve the right to retain the non-refundable booking fee and will assist in finding a suitable replacement.
If the celebrant is unable to perform the ceremony due to unforeseen circumstances, but with prior notice (i.e., more than one month), the celebrant shall be allowed to make reasonable attempts to provide a replacement celebrant at no additional cost to the client OR if the client prefers, the celebrant will cancel this agreement for services and refund the full fees paid, including the booking fee.
In the unlikely event that the celebrant is unable to perform the ceremony, with very little prior notice (i.e., up to one month prior to the event), for unforeseen circumstances including, but not limited to ill health or vehicular accident, the celebrant shall be allowed to make reasonable attempts to provide a replacement celebrant at no additional cost to the client. If the celebrant must cancel this agreement for services, the client will be refunded the full fees paid, including the booking fee.
5. Fee Payment & ScheduleThe total investment for the client will be detailed in a personalised quote.
Payment schedule will apply as follows:
A non-refundable booking fee of 20% of the total investment upon signature of this agreement, and no booking will be deemed confirmed until the booking fee has been received.
The remaining amount will be due four weeks prior to the wedding date.
Any additional travel and/or accommodation fees will be payable by the client four weeks prior to the wedding day, unless otherwise agreed.
If final payment is not received (and no prior arrangement has been made), the celebrant reserves the right to not be present on the agreed upon date and the client will still be charged for the total amount.
To accept the above Terms & Conditions, please pop your details below. If there is anything you’d like to change/add/remove, please email me and we can create a bespoke agreement for you!
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