John Pauwels Celebrant Christchurch

26/12/2024

Recently like many kids a friend's daughter was playing in a playground. She was jumping from one tree stump to another and slipped - landing on her chin! Ouch, ouch, ouch! As the wound was deep, a trip to A and E followed. This little trooper was incredibly brave and delighted all the medical staff as she was put back together. A delightful surprise pack was given to mum from a group helping mums deal with childrens hospital visits (and complex births.)

As 60% of my celebrant fee goes to a charity of the couples choice we see a very wide range of great work supporting society welfare. Please check out:- onemothertoanother.org.nz to see the magical support through challenging times with the littlies. . .

20/12/2024

As part of my fee after costs are taken out the remainder ~60% goes to a charity of a couple's choosing. A small number choose the Pauwels Flying Scholarship. These funds support youth from challenging situations to work towards becoming airline pilots. (A most expensive undertaking and the donations are a little hand up!) Yesterday we flew to Whangarei to present our latest winner Twilight Edwards her scholarship. We were welcomed warmly by her whanau. The lead contributor to this particular scholarship is the Gattung Foundation who particularly support Maori and Pacifica women to excell. Angela Gattung gave her speech completely in Te Maori which impressed. We look forward to further supporting young women to excell to their full potential.

14/12/2024

One of many aspects I enjoy delivering a wedding service is variation and especially if it involves surprise and maybe laced with a little humour. Over the years am sure to be speaking for all celebrants, we get approached by our friends and family to deliver a wedding ceremony. So it was with Trevor and Colleen they being friends in various social groups we mutually share. Trevor was about to turn 70 and as with most wished to celebrate the occasion. However later in the evening the 70th was planned to shift to a wedding! Apart from their respective adult children nobody had wind of what was to eventuate. The 70th party flowed well and at about 9pm things dramatically changed. We involved with the service suddenly smartened up and distinctly remember a billboard hanging up celebrating Trev's 70th. That got turned around and now announced the nuptials of Colleen and Trevor. Naturally the atmosphere in the room changed dramatically of pleasant surprise and awe. Needless to say this wedding was the latest in the evening I have officiated!

06/12/2024

28/11/2024

the middle of 2021, Anna and Rob approached me to help them with a wedding idea they had. Covid and a house build changed their original plans and they decided they wanted to have an intimate, surprise wedding at their home before it was demolished. I would play the part of friend-cum-celebrant, to the surprise of all the dinner guests.

The date was set for 3 years to the day that they were engaged in Venice. Close friends and family were invited to a “farewell old house” dinner. Before dinner, Anna and Rob had photos from their European family holiday playing across the TV, including a photo of the proposal. They casually mentioned to everyone how sad it was delaying their wedding (as per our plan) when I suggested they get married that evening because “I’m a celebrant”. Everyone looked absolutely confused and shocked, until reality kicked in when Anna took off her cardigan to reveal a white dress, and Rob and I reappeared dressed in suits.

There were many tears of joy, barks from Charlie the dog and “how could you do this, I’m not even dressed up” comments (namely from Anna’s bridesmaid), but it was an incredibly memorable evening with the focus being Anna and Rob’s love for each other and their desire to simply be married.

18/11/2024

Over many years I have experienced couples whom getting married are very
open to learning the process from a position of not knowing where to
start! The legal aspects are straightforward and non onerous, there
being only a few basic requirements. After applying for a marriage
licence the couple must once in the service state their full names to
quote Births Deaths and Marriages (BDM) "I AB take you CD" or similar.
(This of course usually forms part of the Vows!) On the Register the
location of the service must be stated and lastly also signed by two
witnesses. I very often get queried about witness suitability and BDM
states for example if signed by children they must know what they are
signing.

All celebrants have different styles and methods both preparing and
delivering the service. Personally I like to be professional and laced
with a little lightheartedness to make the day run well! Like most
things in life if a little work and thought is put into thorough
preparation it all helps make for a memorable service. To this end
personally I like to give a series of questions and example weddings to
couples to ponder and supply us with their story. This process doesn't
just materialise instantly and with a little time can produce a top
quality ceremony.

The service itself and rehearsal just prior are the apex of the wedding
ceremony journey. At a rehearsal I like to do two runs of the
"choreography," first being working out what all of us are doing,
standing, walking, etc. The second being a dry run of the ceremony
(without ceremony wording.) I find it most pleasing when everybody is
working to bring together a fabulous wedding day all working in harmony.
The actual ceremony is of course the highlight in the whole process and
with good preparation can be a most relaxing enjoyable experience.
Personally I like to have a brief chat with folk who are in control of
music and photography to achieve a lovely atmosphere and create great
memories. Lastly mostly standing beside the couple when officiating
makes them the real stars.

10/11/2024

Working with couples is a huge privilege getting to know them enough to reflect their personalities and the special bond that leads to a wedding. It was most touching then I received the following email from Tom and Hanh that goes to the heart strings. For me it is the reward to make a ceremony unique and special.

"Thanks so much for all the effort you and Melissa put in to make our day so special! We had a good feeling about you as a celebrant from the beginning and it turns out that feeling was spot on 🙂 You brought such a great big-hearted energy to the whole ceremony that we really loved, and we also really appreciated how you took the time to get to know us and incorporate our story into the whole thing.

Our friends also keep telling us how much they enjoyed the ceremony, mostly thanks to you for delivering our story!"

Of note couples I officiate for choose a charity for me to on-donate 60% of my fee. It has been a privilge to donate to many little known but special charities. Tom and Hanh chose Little Miracles Trust. (A charitable organisation in NZ, that provides comprehensive support to families caring for premature or sick full-term babies.)

03/11/2024

I think all celebrants will agree with me every couple they officiate for will have a different approach to the service. As the esteemed Sir Tim Shadbolt said "one thing I love about being mayor is the many surprises!" So it was with Kate and Tony's wedding. Tony approached me to bring together a service which I duly carried out. The plan from there was Tony and Kate staying at a winery accommodation where he would propose to her! I patiently waited in the carpark nearby ready to carry out a ceremony IF she said YES... A lovely service followed - phew👩‍❤️‍👨

Kate had been dropping hints for sometime!!

19/10/2024

Earlier this month was privileged to be invited to attend the
Investiture of my sister Meri Gibson to have the ONZM bestowed on her.
Meri is a fellow celebrant and was nominated for this honour for her
tireless work supporting Breast Cancer awareness through Dragon Boating.
Although she gained the high honour of becoming the President
(International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission) it is the simple
philosophy helping women with breast cancer that stands out so
positively. That is focusing entirely on the dragon boating and through
this reaping positive rewards, such as companionship, fitness, good
health, etc. I get the impression this focus helps women move forward.
Further since her leadership of the commission membership has grown 50%
of paddlers across 39 countries.

Below sister Meri, son Jordy and GG along with your's truly 🫣

13/10/2024

Recently was approached by friends to officiate their wedding. Nothing unusual about that! When doing the planning we were trying to work through a grand entrance! (A little background here. Having done several weddings over the past decade, occasionally get asked specific requests. Distinctly remember one on Akaroa wharf - we were bag piped in and all the men including me wore shorts. Spectacular on a fine Summer day.)

This time was asked to be the "Town Cryer." What a fantastic challenge, a great outfit was put together and felt it appropriate to obtain a bell and scroll. The wedding at the Old Stone House was most memorable and unique with a glamour period dress code.

Always love a sense of fun and working with folk who share equal doses of quality producing great memories. 🙃