Helen Rutledge - Auckland Celebrant

23/11/2023

I love this!

How brilliant that we can get married anywhere in Aotearoa! Melanie and Mike adore Lord of the Rings and anything "halloween".

They organised their unique elopement with CANZ celebrant Kineta Booker. The couple travelled from the States to get married on Friday 13th at the top of Mt Sunday, which featured as Edoras in LOTR.

organised the photographer and videographer duo Robin + Andie to not only creatively cover the elopement but also act as the two official witnesses. The team of five met at the bottom of Mt Sunday just before sunrise and hiked to the top! The wind gusts in the region that day got up to 200kmp/h.

It certainly made for some incredible photos.

Our celebrants can do anything!

17/10/2023

Baby Loss Awareness Week - Global Wave of Light Ceremony

Kelly Townsend - Freedom Through Connection and I were thrilled to welcome people from all parts of Auckland to the gorgeous Settlers' Cottage, Auckland Memorial Park & Cemetery on Sunday for a heartwarming Wave of Light Ceremony.

The themes were "Stepping Stones" and "Breaking The Silence". During the ceremony parents, grandparents and siblings spoke of their baby loss experiences as they created angels, then lit candles at 7pm.

We love that the Wave of Light's journey all around the globe begins here in Aotearoa New Zealand!

Thanks Pip and Sara for your photos 💜

10/10/2023

What a joy and honour to share this occasion with Sands Auckland Central and Reverend Ivica at Holy Trinity Cathedral. Well done to Sara and Tania for creating this lovely event for families affected by Baby Loss. 💜

24/09/2023

October is International Baby Loss Awareness Month, with Baby Loss Awareness Day on October 15 culminating in an International Wave of Light.

Along with Auckland Memorial Park & Cemetery, Kelly Townsend - Freedom Through Connection and I will again co-host a free Wave of Light Remembrance Ceremony with those who are grieving a baby lost during pregnancy or after birth. This will be a special evening of peace, love and remembrance to honour and remember all loved and longed for babies gone too soon.

Our ceremony will start at 6.30pm, and at 7pm people taking part will light a candle in memory of their babies, beginning what will become a continuous wave of light that starts in Aotearoa New Zealand and wraps around the globe ... as others around the world light their candles at 7pm local time.

Whether a recent loss or a grief that has been carried for years; whether you are a parent, grandparent, other family member or friend affected by pregnancy or infant loss ... a warm welcome is extended to all to attend this free event.

While we will have candles available, please feel free to bring your own candle to light.

You are welcome just to turn up, but we would love an RSVP, if possible, to help with catering and candles.

For more information or questions, please either phone or message Kelly or myself.

Thank you to Tania from Sands Auckland Central for creating our lovely poster!

24/08/2023

Important information for international couples marrying in New Zealand ... and for New Zealanders wanting to use their Marriage Certificate overseas. 🛫 💍 🛬

If you get married in New Zealand and return overseas, or one or both partners are not New Zealanders, depending on your domicile country, you may need to get your marriage certificate authenticated.

An apostille or authentication is an official government certificate that proves the signature, stamp or seal on a document is genuine. In New Zealand, this process is managed by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). Here’s what you need to know to ensure your documents are completed properly and on time.

Our blog ‘Using Your New Zealand Documents Overseas’ is a great resource for understanding the requirements’

Read more here: https://www.celebrantsaotearoa.co.nz/blog/using-your-new-zealand-documents-overseas/

25/05/2023

🎀 Pink Ribbon Breakfast 🎀

It was wonderful to join with celebrant colleagues and others in the funeral sector - Auckland Memorial Park & Cemetery, State of Grace Funerals, Auckland & Hibiscus Funeral Services Dil's Funeral Services Aroha Funerals - amongst others, supporting this important cause today.

Pip, Tina and Stephanie put SO much effort into creating a fun event - great food, great company, great craft activity (breast pin cushions!) ... and, best of all, lots of $$$ raised ! Thanks Pip!

24/04/2023

Honouring our dad, Ken Rutledge, and all others who have served our country.
We will remember them.

19/11/2022

I am extremely proud to be alongside these inspirational Life Members of Celebrants Aotearoa New Zealand. Celebrants Aotearoa is a wonderful source of support, affirmation and professional development for celebrants, and I love that CANZ also works so hard to promote awareness of the important role of ceremony in our country!

15/10/2022

What an honour to walk alongside others in their Baby Loss path at our Wave of Light Ceremony last evening. 💜

It was wonderful to be remembering and honoring baby losses ranging from 59 years ago to just 15 days ago ... and every decade between. 💜

Special thanks to Pip and James Auckland Memorial Park & Cemetery for their help in setting up their beautiful venue; Kelly Townsend for co-hosting the ceremony so beautifully; Kathrine from The Celebrant School for being a wonderful support in the background; Sands Auckland Central for your support ... and most of all a huge thank you to all who came along, and your willingness to participate in, and share your path with us. 💜
(Photo credits: Kelly & Kathrine)

09/10/2022

Today marks the beginning of Pregnancy and Baby Loss Awareness week. It culminates with a Global Wave of Light at 7pm on 15th October. A reminder that we have a ceremony at Auckland Memorial Park & Cemetery beginning at 6.30pm. We'd love to see you there. 💜

Today marks the start of Baby Loss Awareness Week 2022.
Join us in raising awareness and breaking the silence around the loss of a baby at any stage of pregnancy, after birth or as an infant 🧡💜

30/09/2022

October is International Baby Loss Awareness Month, with Baby Loss Awareness Day on October 15 culminating in an International Wave of Light.

Along with Auckland Memorial Park & Cemetery and fellow celebrant, Kelly Townsend - Freedom Through Connection , I am proud to be co-hosting a free Wave of Light Remembrance Ceremony with those who are grieving a baby lost during pregnancy or after birth. This will be a special evening of peace, love and remembrance to honour and remember all loved and longed for babies gone too soon.

Our ceremony will start at 6.30pm, and at 7pm people taking part will light a candle in memory of their babies, beginning what will become a continuous wave of light that starts in Aotearoa New Zealand and wraps around the globe ... as others around the world light their candles at 7pm local time.

Whether a recent loss or a grief that has been carried for years; whether you are a parent, grandparent, other family member or friend affected by pregnancy or infant loss ... a warm welcome is extended to all to attend this free event.

While we will have candles available, please feel free to bring your own candle to light.

You are welcome just to turn up, but we would love an RSVP, if possible, to help with catering and candles.

For more information or questions, please either phone or message Kelly or myself.

19/09/2022

What a wonderful opportunity for our community to honour Queen Elizabeth 11 at Auckland Memorial Park & Cemetery with Auckland & Hibiscus Funeral Services this morning. Norm Murray led a service with the perfect balance of great respect and a little light-heartedness. The gifts of marmalade for Her Majesty and memorial book marks for attendees were lovely touches. The beautiful morning tea (complete with cucumber sandwiches and scones, jam and cream) that followed the service was also appreciated! A big thank you to everyone involved in creating this event!

08/09/2022

03/09/2022

A fantastic resource for Fathers' Day

27/05/2022

What a wonderful Pink Ribbon Breakfast at Auckland Memorial Park & Cemetery yesterday! Fellow celebrants and CANZ members Kelly, Cheryl, Danielle, Jayne and myself ... along with a great group of women including Funeral Directors from Aroha, Dils, State of Grace and Forrests Funerals; staff from Harbour Hospice; and from Auckland Memorial Park were treated to a delicious breakfast and given goodie bags to take home! Thanks to the sponsors who ensure that all the funds raised went to this great cause.
A huge thank you to Pip and Tina who go above and beyond to ensure this annual fundraiser is such fun ... and to all the women who really enter into the spirit of it. The pink outfits were amazing ... special mention to the State of Grace Funerals and Aroha Funerals teams whose outfits were incredible!

08/05/2022

After a wonderful 14 week sailing adventure circumnavigating the South Island, I am delighted to be back celebrating marriages at weddings and commemorating lives through funerals. I especially love ceremonies in my local community. How fortunate we are on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula to be able to marry with backdrops like this one from today's wedding at Manly!

27/12/2021

Just to let you all know that my celebrancy is "on hold" until April 2022 while we sail around the South Island of New Zealand with Sail South for Summer Rally .

I look forward to sharing your celebrations on our return.

(Picture credit Laurie Brunot; Photo credit Nicola Edwards)