Mary Jo Smyth - Celebrant

02/08/2024

23/07/2024

Some great advice and facts

The results from our survey are in. If you're planning a wedding, read this first.

24/06/2024

Fantastic idea

27/05/2024

Love some of these ideas 🙂

Take inspiration where you can but be sure to make your wedding your own rather than a carbon copy of something you’ve seen someone else do.

Tips from Ensemble readers who did the big day, their way.

20/05/2024

Long time, no post !!

Embracing love and honoring memories, I've been privileged to be part of 6 weddings and 12 funerals these last 12 months.

Looking forward to sharing more of life's precious moments with you.

08/05/2023

All that’s needed for a simple ceremony, the license and my script, lasting no more than 10 minutes (including signing of documents).
It covers all the legal requirements and as always the filing of the license is done by the celebrant.
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you need advice on anything regarding your upcoming wedding.

Congratulations to Paul and Rowena who I married on Saturday 👰🏼🤵🏼‍♂️

28/04/2023

UPDATE: We have a winner!!
Congratulations to Eileen Evans-McKean ✨
⭐️Mother’s Day Giveaway⭐️

We are super excited to be celebrating Mother’s Day 2023 in style ✨

If you are looking for the perfect gift we have got you covered 💫

🌸You’ve gotta be in to WIN 🌸

THE PRIZE:
🌸Carolines Creative Interiors / Design & Desire boutique $70 voucher
🌸Rosa + Maeve Floral gorgeous DIY floral kit
🌸Mindsets21 beautiful knot candle
🌸Anna’s delicious cake {Anna is only on Instagram, so don’t worry if you’re only on Facebook}
🌸Artisan Kitchen $70 voucher

Enter our giveaway by tagging a fellow Mama, follow these accounts if you’re not already and share this post ✨

**The winner will be drawn 5pm Friday 12th May 2023 and needs to be collected from us at 613 Fitzherbert East Road, PN

24/04/2023

Every year on Anzac Day I always remember the visit I had with my daughter to the Australian War Memorial when we visited Canberra 10 years ago.
It’s a stunning place to visit and the Wall of Remembrance is something you will never forget … the vibrant red poppies against the grey plaques is amazingly beautiful and at the same time very somber to see the collective tallies of the fallen soldiers.
And family too have done their part, Grandad, Dad and brothers … Lest we Forget

27/03/2023

Was delighted to do this Vow Renewal on Saturday at Te Puna just out of Feilding … or as J & K called it, their ‘We Still Do’ ceremony.
12 years after their courthouse nuptials they got to ’say their vows properly this time’ but the gusty winds meant we had to bring the ceremony indoors at the last minute.
All the best to you both as you continue your journey in life❤️

21/02/2023

Another little gem discovered in the weekend.
Taniwha aka The Daffodil Farm … located less than half an hour north of Dannevirke.
Such a gorgeous little set up with so many options and it was the courtyard that Liana and Josh chose for their ceremony on Saturday. Congratulations to you both and all the best for your future.

17/02/2023

Last Friday I had the pleasure of conducting a little ceremony for G and V in a place that I’ve been dying for one of my couples to use.
Held at the second pond at our very own Lower Domain, Dannevirke is full of gorgeous little areas to hold that very personal private ceremony.
Unfortunately the steps to the viewing platform had been vandalised the night before but there were plenty of other spots in the area that will look fantastic in photos...photos are definitely not that of a professional 📸🤦🏼‍♀️

09/02/2023

How cool is this !!

31/12/2022

As 2022 comes to a close, as always it’s time to reflect on the last 12 months ...
It’s been a privilege to have walked alongside some amazing people in their happiest and saddest times and I look forward to doing the same in 2023.
Take care of you and your loved ones x
Mary Jo Smyth - Celebrant

31/12/2022

Have been a guest several times and finally got to officiate at the Dannevirke Golf Club just before Christmas.
With the weather being as crazy as it had, I was pleased that Aimee and Jamain had chosen a venue that had a great wet weather option as well as stunning outdoor options.
Congratulations to ‘The Waretinis’ all the very best for the future.

16/11/2022

Great read for those wanting something intimate, low key and budget friendly 🤵🏻‍♂️🤍👰🏼‍♀️

14/11/2022

Crazy spring weather means you definitely need Plan B ready and waiting as did my couple on Saturday.
Lucky their venue was the Distinction Coachman in Palmerston North and the change to have the ceremony inside was no drama for the staff on hand.
Congratulations Will and Nat may you enjoy this new chapter of your lives.

05/11/2022

08/10/2022

A beautiful day in the Manawatu for my first wedding of the season.
Congratulations Mr and Mrs Day how lucky were you with today’s weather 🥂

25/07/2022

💍Changing your surname after getting married isn't compulsory in New Zealand, and it's a simple process.

💍Can I use it straight away?
Yes, When you get married – or enter into a civil union - in New Zealand, you don’t have to fill out any forms in order to change your surname. You can start using your spouse’s surname right away. And you can change it back at any time.

💍How do I change my passport and driver’s licence?
While you can still travel on a passport or with your driver’s licence in your original surname, if you do want to apply for new documents (or any other paperwork, bank accounts, etc.) with your new surname, you can use your marriage or civil union certificate showing your spouse or partner’s surname as evidence of your new surname.

💍For more information about changing your name, read our blog: https://www.celebrantsaotearoa.co.nz/blog/changing-your-name-after-your-wedding/

16/03/2022

Most wedding ceremonies have a focal point, usually in the form of an archway where the couple stand during the ceremony.
The photo to the left shows some of the amazing ceremony spaces that I have officiated in front of.
I just had to share the picture on the right, archway is from WainhouseMacrame and it’s the stunning macrame hanging that really caught my eye...how gorgeous is this?

07/03/2022

Saturday took me to Makoura Lodge, a place I had attended several weddings previously but my first time to officiate.
Congratulations Mr and Mrs Nelson, it was such an amazing day, you sure are the best team 🥂🥂

27/02/2022

What a year it was for Emily and Cody.
Firstly a beautiful wedding at the Crab Farm Winery on a stunning Hawkes Day and then to top it off on the last day of the year they welcomed their adorable Tanner.
Happy Anniversary Team Blackford.
Photo Credit Chelsey Wallace Photography

20/02/2022

Happy 1st Wedding Anniversary to Jess and Broden…it was an amazing time in the Caitlins when these two tied the knot.
Also congratulations to Kere and Jo who I married at their home yesterday.

13/02/2022

While the weather was less than perfect it was perfect in many other ways. Congratulations Vinnie and Paige, it was such a privilege to officiate for you yesterday, you guys make such an awesome team.

03/02/2022

It was my pleasure to officiate for Michael and Kristen today at The Old Church. What a venue…the day was stunning in every way

09/12/2021

It is time to say ‘Goodbye’ to Alert Levels 👋

We wish we were saying goodbye to COVID-19 for good. But instead we are saying ‘Hello’ 👋 to the new COVID-19 Traffic light framework 🚦(red, orange and green) . This new framework is focused on minimising the impact of Covid.

Which means the guidelines for ceremonies during COVID-19 in New Zealand 🇳🇿 are changing.

“The hard truth is that COVID-19 will spread around New Zealand, and we need to be prepared. The framework is our best tool to do this. It is intended to give as much certainty and stability as possible for people and businesses, reducing the need for widespread lockdowns.”

https://covid19.govt.nz/traffic-lights/covid-19-protection-framework/

So, how does the system work?

🚦First, you will need to find out what traffic light your area is in. Click link to find your area:
https://covid19.govt.nz/traffic-lights/traffic-lights-map/
🚦Your vaccination status accounts for what restrictions apply. The guidelines differ for those who have a Vaccine Pass or not.
🚦Once you know the above two, you will be able to find out what guidelines apply to your ceremony.

We recommend that you check for updates regularly and where there is any uncertainty regarding your ceremonies that you contact the appropriate helplines directly.

https://covid19.govt.nz/traffic-lights/covid-19-protection-framework/

06/11/2021

Who says you have to wear white

13/06/2021

It’s your choice how many options you want to add to the essentials...your day - your way 💍