FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
As winter bites and household budgets remain under pressure, Celebrants Aotearoa says New
Zealand couples are increasingly asking a simple question: do we really need a big traditional
wedding to make our commitment meaningful?
The national organisation representing professional celebrants says the changing economic climate is
creating an opportunity for couples to rethink the wedding rulebook, with smaller ceremonies,
weekday weddings, registry ceremonies, backyard celebrations and “marry now, celebrate later”
approaches all part of a broader shift away from one size fits all weddings.
The conversation comes as the latest Stats NZ figures show marriages and civil unions continuing
their downward trend.
There were 17,481 marriages and civil unions registered to New Zealand residents in 2025, down
from 18,033 the previous year.
At the same time, the basic cost of getting legally married has recently increased. From 18 June 2026,
a marriage licence costs $158, while a registry ceremony carries a set celebrant fee of $175.
Celebrants Aotearoa President Anna Flanagan said the figures should not automatically be
interpreted as New Zealanders turning their backs on commitment.
“Marriage may be changing, but that does not mean commitment matters any less,” Flanagan said.
“What celebrants are seeing is that couples are becoming much more intentional about how they
choose to marry. They are asking what genuinely matters to them, what they can afford, and which
traditions they actually want to keep.
“For some couples, that might mean 100 guests and a large celebration. For others, it could mean
ten people in the backyard, a weekday ceremony, a registry wedding, an elopement, or getting
legally married now and holding a bigger celebration later.
“There is no lesser version of a marriage because the guest list is smaller or the budget is tighter.”
Winter also gives couples permission to think differently, Flanagan said.
“For a long time, the New Zealand wedding industry has been heavily focused on the big summer
Saturday wedding. But there is no rule that says a meaningful wedding has to happen at 3pm on a
Saturday in February.
“A winter ceremony can be intimate, atmospheric and deeply personal. A weekday wedding can be
just as significant as a weekend one. A ceremony at home can carry just as much meaning as one at
an expensive venue.
“The most important thing is that couples understand their options and make choices that reflect
who they are, rather than feeling pressured to perform a version of a wedding they cannot afford or
do not actually want.”
Celebrants Aotearoa said professional celebrants were often among the first wedding suppliers
couples spoke to and could help people understand the difference between registry and personalised
ceremonies, legal requirements, ceremony options and ways to create a meaningful experience at
different budget levels.
Registry ceremonies in New Zealand use standard vows, must take place between 9am and 5pm on a
weekday, excluding public holidays, and are limited to 10 guests. No commercial photography is
allowed. Couples can also choose a personalised ceremony, with celebrants setting their own
professional fees.
Flanagan said the current environment could ultimately encourage a healthier conversation about
weddings.
“Couples should not begin married life feeling they had to spend beyond their means simply because
that is what a wedding is supposed to look like.
“A wedding is not made meaningful by a price tag. It is made meaningful by the people, the promises
and the intention behind it.
“This winter, our message to couples is simple: there is more than one way to get married, and you
are allowed to choose the one that works for you.”
About Celebrants Aotearoa
Celebrants Aotearoa is the only national professional association for celebrants in New
Zealand. The organisation provides networking, education, resources, and advocacy to
support its members in delivering high-quality, meaningful ceremonies.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Kineta Knight Booker
Communications Manager – Celebrants Aotearoa
comms@celebrantsaotearoa.co.nz, 0274 546 382, celebrantsaotearoa.co.nz