I have been an independent marriage celebrant since 2020, and offer both personalised marriage ceremonies as well as registry ceremonies.
I come from Dutch heritage but identify with my roots in Aotearoa. I grew up in Tamaki Makaurau, and have since lived in Melbourne, Amsterdam, Pōneke, and now Whanganui.
My career path has wound through dance, HR, recruitment, project management, environmental education, and making delicious coffees (I still do that last one at home). Outside of work I am an avid gardener, hiker, wannabe Michelin star chef, and community volunteer.
My personal inquiries into understanding relationships lead me to becoming a celebrant. I love human connection, delving into the importance of community and partnership to ease the complex journey that is life. Over the years I have been honoured to have met people who conduct their relationships in all manner of ways, sharing their stories and learnings, bringing me ever closer to my love of love and truly grasping the diversity of how we relate. I have also been influenced by the work of Esther Perel, Brené Brown, The Gottman institute - and more.
Martine & Stewart, August 2022
My commitment is to creating a ceremony that is unique to your relationship, and to be guided by your desires for how to curate a day that represents you.
I bring an unbiased approach. I support the officiation of healthy relationships irrespective of gender, sexuality, age, or race. I celebrate relationships that are monogamous, non-monogamous, and everything in between.
I believe in that honesty, courage, communication, respect, laughter, and kindness are the cornerstones of a successful relationship, and I bring these into my work as a celebrant.
If a couple decides to engage my services, the first step is to meet - ideally in person, but if that’s not possible, then digitally. I’ll ask questions and get to understand where you’re at in visioning your wedding, what you have in mind, or if you have no idea at all! In this first meeting we will confirm all the dry details like price, invoice schedule, expenses etc.
Following our chat, I’ll send you over a few resources such as a template ceremony that we’ll work off, a template wedding layout, and also a questionnaire for you both to complete. This is to help me understand your love story, and what drives your relationships. This is a starting point for writing a bespoke celebrant script for your wedding.
The script I write will be reviewed by you both, and any changes you request will be made. I will continue to refine it until you are happy with it.
In the lead up to the wedding, we will agree upon a time for a wedding rehearsal (usually the day before or day of), if you want that. Then you get married!