Hi, my name is Dawn Maley.
A few years ago I was approached by a good friend to help her with her wedding ceremony. This conversation sparked a flame that had been sitting dormant for a few years so I decided to become a registered Celebrant so I could legally marry this lovely couple.
Now not only am I a registered Celebrant but I am also a qualified celebrant having obtained my Certificate in Celebrancy. I am a member of the Celebrants Association of New Zealand.
I believe that Ceremonies hold an extremely important place in our lives. Ceremonies mark life's essential moments. They may reflect our beliefs, hopes, traditions, culture, and spirituality but they must express who we are. A ceremony can help to show us that we are united and that we belong.
For many years I have been involved in the Pagan/Spiritual community in New Zealand. This means I am very familiar with hosting ceremonies, rituals, retreats, and rites of passage, often creating these from scratch. I am comfortable in large crowds or small
I am also a member of The Braided Women's Gathering Charitable Trust. The trust holds regular women's weekends steeped in Ritual and Ceremony, as well as song and dance, sitting in a circle, and supporting other women to be.
I love being a Celebrant, helping others celebrate their love each other. I was surprised to realize how much I like writing, crafting the ceremonies, and empowering people to create what they want on their special day, whether it is a wedding, a renewal of vows, a baby naming, a collaring, or a croning. My next step is to train to become a funeral celebrant.
When I'm not being a celebrant...
I am mum to 4 wonderful young adults - all very artistic in their own way.
I like to spend time with my diverse circle of friends
I am a Massage therapist and Aromatherapist
I like to be creative: sewing, crafting mosaics, and writing
I like to drink a good whiskey and eat food someone else has cooked
I like to travel around New Zealand collecting unusual art glass as we go...
In my professional life, I have had many roles from being a barmaid to a waitress, to a youth hostel manager, staff trainer, and 111 call taker for Ambulance to my current role as a Team leader for a charitable organisation. All of which have given me the skills, experience, and knowledge to enhance my role as a Celebrant.
Enough about me! Let's connect so I can hear about you and YOUR story.
Let's connect for an obligation-free chat to discuss your ceremony
What I Offer
I am a registered Marriage Celebrant dedicated to helping you create your vision, your ceremony, your way so that it will become a treasured and lasting memory.
I will work with you every step of the way so you feel confident and comfortable with your ceremony.
I have always had a passion for ceremony and ritual. I have been an active member of the pagan community here in New Zealand for many years so I am very experienced in leading rituals and ceremonies while understanding the importance these hold for life’s many transitions.
Whatever it may be, a hand-fasting, a wedding, a baby naming, a croning, or a rite of passage, I will create a personalized, heart-centered, and unique ceremony for recognizing those special moments in your life that deserve to be celebrated.
While I am open to all ideas – the new, the traditional, and the different, my areas of specialty are Pagan, LGBTQ, and Spiritual ceremonies
While based in the Canterbury region, it is always a pleasure and privilege to be invited to conduct ceremonies and rituals in other parts of the country.
I would be honoured if you decide to choose me as your celebrant.
Services I Offer:
- Marriage
- Handfasting
- Name Giving
- Civil Union
- Renewal of Vows
- Blessings
- Elopements
- Rites of Passage
- Croning
- Collaring
- Divorce/Conscious uncoupling
- Celebration of Life/Funerals
What I Charge
My fees start from $200 depending on where and when you are getting hitched, for more information about my costs or my availability feel free to email me. If you’re thinking of eloping let me know and I can provide you with an alternative fee.
For this I attend to all of your legal paperwork, assist you by writing a ceremony to suit your needs, and legally solemnize your marriage. I also help keep you calm on the day, have spare tissues, and make sure that the rings haven't been forgotten.
So, how does this work?
One of the most common things I hear when I meet with couples is that they have no idea where to start when it comes to the ceremony, so let’s break it down so you know what to expect from the first email to the big day.
FIRST OF ALL LET'S CONNECT
Send me an email and let me know what you're planning the date, time, and venue and I can get back to you and let you know if I'm available as well as my fees, plus answer any other questions you might have. If all this sounds good let's connect for an obligation-free chat to discuss your wedding
WE CATCH UP
At the end of our initial meeting, I will give you a quote for your specific circumstances, and a contract that outlines our commitment to one another. Should you choose to go on this journey, with me alongside as your celebrant, you can confirm a booking by paying a deposit.
NEXT
Generally a couple of months out from the wedding we arrange a catch-up to discuss your plans including, the length and feel of the ceremony, how the ceremony will run, anyone you might like to include, or any ideas you have for doing something a bit different. We will discuss the logistics of the ceremony ensuring they are taken care of as well as getting to know a bit more about you and your story. I also run you through the process of getting a marriage license that you will need for the big day too.
I CRAFT THE FIRST DRAFT OF THE CEREMONY
Approximately 6-8 weeks out from your big day you'll receive the first draft of your wedding ceremony. Once you've read through it if there are any changes or suggestions you would like let me know and I'll make the changes to get it perfect. We will keep going until you are 100% happy with your ceremony
REHEARSAL TIME
In the week leading up to your big day, we will do a rehearsal with you and your bridal party. During the rehearsal I check that the marriage license is sorted, run through the music for the ceremony, cover off who stands where, how the signing of the marriage certificate will go, and check any last-minute details.
THE BIG DAY
I arrive at the venue at least an hour before your ceremony, set up my PA system, check the music etc while checking in with anyone involved in the ceremony and making any other final checks. Then I get down to it and marry you, complete the legal paperwork, then leave you to have a great party!
Frequently Asked Questions
No doubt you have a few questions, I've tried my best to answer the most common ones below but feel free to get in touch if you have any others.
WHAT DOES THE CELEBRANT DO?
I attend to all of your legal paperwork, assist you by writing a ceremony to suit your needs and legally solemnize your marriage. I also help keep you calm on the day, have spare tissues, and make sure that the rings haven't been forgotten. I help keep your day as stress-free as possible.
DO YOU PERFORM SAME SEX WEDDINGS?
Of course, Love is Love, it doesn't matter if you're a man and a man, a woman and a woman, or any other combo as long as you love each other and want to celebrate that love.
HOW DO I OBTAIN A MARRIAGE LICENSE?
Before you get married, you need to apply for a license. A license confirms it’s legal for you to marry. It costs $150 if you use a celebrant.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
You need to arrange your license at least 3 working days before you get married.
It expires after 3 months.
If you're using a celebrant, they have separate fees.
Only one of you needs to complete the application, but you need information about both of you.
Apply online
You’ll be sent the license, and 2 copies of the Copy of Particulars of Marriage — a form with all the details of the people getting married.
Give all 3 of these documents to your celebrant before your wedding.
Tip: If you have a back-up venue, include it in your application. You can only have the ceremony in the places you’ve put on the application.
I WANT TO WRITE MY OWN VOWS BUT I'M NOT SURE WHERE TO START.
It can seem daunting but taking the time to write your own vows can help to make your ceremony more personal. I can help with ideas and guide you in this empowering process
Recent Ceremonies
